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Best Tow-Behind Aerator: 4 Plug Aerators for 1 to 10 Acres

Four tow-behind aerators with 42 to 48 inch working widths: plug depth, weight tray, wheels and hitch compared, plus who should skip each.

AcreMowerLab Editorial
By AcreMowerLab Editorial · 4 min read
Best Tow-Behind Aerator: 4 Plug Aerators for 1 to 10 Acres
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Top picks at a glance

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  1. 1Brinly PA-482BH-A2Best OverallBrinly PA-482BH-A29.7/10View on Amazon
  2. 2Agri-Fab 48 in Plug AeratorBest Flat-Free TiresAgri-Fab 48 in Plug Aerator9.6/10View on Amazon
  3. 3Brinly PA-42BH-ABest for StorageBrinly PA-42BH-A9.6/10View on Amazon
  4. 4VEVOR 48 in Plug AeratorBest Pneumatic TiresVEVOR 48 in Plug Aerator9.6/10View on Amazon
  5. 5Brinly Tow Behind Combination Aerator Spreader with WeightBrinly Tow Behind Combination Aerator Spreader with WeightView on Amazon
  6. 6Suchtale 40-Inch Tow Behind Spike Aerator with GalvanizedSuchtale 40-Inch Tow Behind Spike Aerator with GalvanizedView on Amazon
  7. 7Brinly Tow Behind Spike Aerator with Double Tow Bar and 3DBrinly Tow Behind Spike Aerator with Double Tow Bar and 3DView on Amazon
  8. 8Titan 3 FT Tow-Behind Drum Spike Aerator Holds up to 25 GalTitan 3 FT Tow-Behind Drum Spike Aerator Holds up to 25 GalView on Amazon

A tow-behind plug aerator turns a riding mower or garden tractor into a soil aerating machine, and on one acre or more it saves hours over a walk-behind. These four picks are three steel plug aerators from Agri-Fab and Brinly and one VEVOR model, 42 to 48 inches wide. We give the working width, plug depth, weight tray capacity and wheels from each listing and mark what it does not state, including warranty terms, which none of the four listings gives.

AcreMowerLab earns a commission when you shop through links here. It never changes your price. Affiliate disclosure.

Quick picks

  • Best Overall Brinly PA-482BH-A2: Largest weight tray at 200 lb and four independent tine sections Check price on Amazon
  • Best Flat-Free Tires Agri-Fab 48 in Plug Aerator: Flat-free tires and a handle you work from the seat Check price on Amazon
  • Best for Storage Brinly PA-42BH-A: Folding tow bar and the lightest plug model at 67.9 lb Check price on Amazon
  • Best Pneumatic Tires VEVOR 48 in Plug Aerator: 10.6 in pneumatic tires and a welded frame at 48 in wide Check price on Amazon

Our acreage picks

#ProductAcre ScoreBuy
1Brinly PA-482BH-A2 48 in Tow-Behind Plug AeratorBrinly PA-482BH-A2 48 in Tow-Behind Plug Aerator9.7/10Buy on Amazon
2Agri-Fab 48 in Tow-Behind Lawn Plug Aerator with 32 Galvanized KnivesAgri-Fab 48 in Tow-Behind Lawn Plug Aerator with 32 Galvanized Knives9.6/10Buy on Amazon
3Brinly PA-42BH-A 42 in Tow-Behind Plug Aerator with Folding Tow BarBrinly PA-42BH-A 42 in Tow-Behind Plug Aerator with Folding Tow Bar9.6/10Buy on Amazon
4VEVOR 48 in Tow-Behind Plug Aerator with 150 lb Weight TrayVEVOR 48 in Tow-Behind Plug Aerator with 150 lb Weight Tray9.6/10Buy on Amazon
Brinly PA-482BH-A2 48 in Tow-Behind Plug Aerator

Brinly PA-482BH-A2 48 in Tow-Behind Plug Aerator

Brinly9.7/10 Acre Score
i
The Acre Score (out of 100, shown as /10) weighs rated performance, build, value, safety listing and warranty. How we score

48 inch plug aerator with 32 heat-treated steel spoons, a 200 lb weight tray and four independent tine sections.

Check price on Amazon

Who it's for: owners of two to ten acres who tow with a tractor or large rider.

Who should skip it: anyone with a small mower that cannot pull the weight.

Read the full review

The PA-482BH-A2 is a 48 in plug aerator with 32 heat-treated, 16-gauge steel spoons that pull plugs up to 3 in deep, a fully enclosed weight tray for up to 200 lb and four independently rotating tine sections. It rolls on 10 in semi-pneumatic tires, uses a universal single-pin hitch and weighs 82.8 lb. The listing does not state a warranty term.

Pros

  • Largest weight tray of the group, up to 200 lb
  • Four independently rotating tine sections for turns
  • Heat-treated 16-gauge steel plugging spoons
  • Single transport lever and a universal pin hitch

Cons

  • No warranty term is stated on the listing
  • No towing or load rating is stated
  • 82.8 lb empty, heavier than the 42 in model
  • Weights are sold separately
Agri-Fab 48 in Tow-Behind Lawn Plug Aerator with 32 Galvanized Knives

Agri-Fab 48 in Tow-Behind Lawn Plug Aerator with 32 Galvanized Knives

Agri-Fab9.6/10 Acre Score
i
The Acre Score (out of 100, shown as /10) weighs rated performance, build, value, safety listing and warranty. How we score

48 inch plug aerator with 32 galvanized self-sharpening knives, flat-free tires and a 175 lb weight tray.

Check price on Amazon

Who it's for: owners who want flat-free tires and a handle they can work without leaving the seat.

Who should skip it: anyone who wants the lightest model.

Read the full review

The Agri-Fab 48 in aerator has 32 galvanized, self-sharpening knives that pull plugs up to 3 in deep, flat-free tires and a cantilever transport handle you raise and lower from the seat. Its weight tray holds up to 175 lb and it uses a universal hitch. Weight is 94 lb. The listing does not state a warranty term.

Pros

  • Flat-free tires that cannot go flat
  • 32 galvanized self-sharpening knives
  • Cantilever handle raises and lowers from the seat
  • Weight tray holds up to 175 lb

Cons

  • No warranty term is stated on the listing
  • No towing or load rating is stated
  • Heaviest of the four at 94 lb
  • Weights are sold separately
Brinly PA-42BH-A 42 in Tow-Behind Plug Aerator with Folding Tow Bar

Brinly PA-42BH-A 42 in Tow-Behind Plug Aerator with Folding Tow Bar

Brinly9.6/10 Acre Score
i
The Acre Score (out of 100, shown as /10) weighs rated performance, build, value, safety listing and warranty. How we score

42 inch plug aerator with a folding tow bar, a 175 lb weight tray and three independent tine sections.

Check price on Amazon

Who it's for: owners of one to five acres with limited shed space.

Who should skip it: anyone who wants the wider 48 in pass.

Read the full review

The PA-42BH-A is a 42 in plug aerator with heat-treated 16-gauge steel plugging spoons that pull plugs up to 3 in deep, a fully enclosed weight tray for up to 175 lb and three independently rotating welded tine sections. A folding tow bar helps with storage. It rolls on 10 in semi-pneumatic tires and weighs 67.9 lb. The listing does not state a warranty term.

Pros

  • Folding tow bar makes it easier to store
  • Lightest of the plug models at 67.9 lb
  • Three independent tine sections for turns
  • Plugs up to 3 in deep

Cons

  • Narrowest working width at 42 in
  • No warranty term is stated on the listing
  • No towing or load rating is stated
  • Weights are sold separately
VEVOR 48 in Tow-Behind Plug Aerator with 150 lb Weight Tray

VEVOR 48 in Tow-Behind Plug Aerator with 150 lb Weight Tray

VEVOR9.6/10 Acre Score
i
The Acre Score (out of 100, shown as /10) weighs rated performance, build, value, safety listing and warranty. How we score

48 inch aerator with coring tines to 3 inches, a welded steel frame, a 150 lb tray and 10.6 inch pneumatic tires.

Check price on Amazon

Who it's for: owners who want a 48 in pass with pneumatic tires.

Who should skip it: anyone who wants clarity on the tine type and a stated warranty.

Read the full review

The VEVOR 48 in aerator has coring tines that the listing says reach up to 3 in, a fully welded high-strength steel frame, a weight tray for up to 150 lb with strap slots, 10.6 in pneumatic tires and a universal hitch. Weight is 74.3 lb. The listing uses the terms plug, core and spike for the same product and does not state a warranty term.

Pros

  • 10.6 in pneumatic tires for grass, mud and slopes
  • Fully welded steel frame
  • Strap slots on the tray secure sandbags
  • Tines come pre-assembled, tools included

Cons

  • The listing mixes the words plug, core and spike
  • Smallest weight tray of the 48 in models at 150 lb
  • No warranty term is stated on the listing
  • No towing or load rating is stated

Other machines to compare

Side-by-side specs

Model Acre Score Type Working width Capacity (plug depth) Hitch Weight tray Warranty
Brinly PA-482BH-A2 9.7/10 Plug 48 in Up to 3 in Universal, single pin 200 lb Not stated
Agri-Fab 48 in 9.6/10 Plug 48 in Up to 3 in Universal 175 lb Not stated
Brinly PA-42BH-A 9.6/10 Plug 42 in Up to 3 in Folding tow bar 175 lb Not stated
VEVOR 48 in 9.6/10 Coring tines 48 in Up to 3 in Universal 150 lb Not stated

Specifications are manufacturer rated as listed, collected 6 October 2026.

Acreage and terrain fit

Brinly PA-482BH-A2

Acreage fitUnder 11-22-55-1010+
Terrain fitFlat

Agri-Fab 48 in Plug Aerator

Acreage fitUnder 11-22-55-1010+
Terrain fitFlat

Brinly PA-42BH-A

Acreage fitUnder 11-22-55-1010+
Terrain fitFlat

VEVOR 48 in Plug Aerator

Acreage fitUnder 11-22-55-1010+
Terrain fitFlat

Buying guide: choosing a tow-behind aerator

Plug (core) vs spike

A plug or core aerator pulls small plugs of soil out of the ground. A spike aerator pokes holes without removing soil. Three of the four picks are described as plug aerators, with plugs up to 3 in deep on the Agri-Fab and Brinly listings. The VEVOR listing mixes the words plug, core and spike, so confirm the tine type on the product page before you buy.

Working width

Three picks are 48 in wide and one, the Brinly PA-42BH-A, is 42 in. A 48 in aerator covers more ground per pass, but it needs a tractor or rider that can tow it and a lawn wide enough to turn in. Our Mowing Time Calculator shows how deck width changes time per acre, and the same arithmetic applies to any towed tool.

Weight tray and how much weight

The weight tray holds extra weight so the tines press deeper. The stated capacities are 200 lb (Brinly 48 in), 175 lb (Agri-Fab and Brinly 42 in) and 150 lb (VEVOR). The Brinly listing says its narrower plug design needs less weight. Do not exceed the maker’s weight limit or your mower’s towing capacity.

Hitch and mower towing capacity

The Agri-Fab and Brinly 48 in listings describe a universal hitch, and the Brinly says it fits every lawn tractor and most zero-turns and ATVs. Check your mower’s towing capacity in its manual before you load the tray.

Turning and transport position

The Brinly 48 in has four independently rotating tine sections and the 42 in has three, which the listings say reduces turf damage on turns. The Agri-Fab and Brinly use a lever to raise the tines for transport. Wheels are flat-free on the Agri-Fab, 10 in semi-pneumatic on the Brinly and 10.6 in pneumatic on the VEVOR.

When to aerate

Timing depends on your grass type and local climate, so follow your regional extension guidance. This guide does not cover seed, fertilizer or chemical treatments.

Mowing Time Calculator

Lawn size, deck width and speed in; minutes per mow out. Or work backward from the time you want to spend.

Open the calculator
Towing and attachment safety

Stay within the towing capacity and hitch weight your mower manual lists, and add weight slowly. Loaded carts and spreaders push a mower downhill, so take slopes straight up and down at low speed. Keep riders off carts and keep bystanders clear while you tow. Read our Safety Disclaimer.

The Acre Score explained

The Acre Score weighs five factors: performance (working width, plug depth and weight capacity), build quality (steel, tines, wheels), value (specs for the money), safety (a stated load or towing rating and hitch details) and warranty (years and coverage). A factor the listing does not state scores zero, so none of these four earns safety or warranty points.

Product Acre Score Perf. /35 Build /25 Value /25 Safety /10 Warranty /5
Brinly PA-482BH-A2 9.7 32 22 20 n/a 0
Agri-Fab 48 in Plug Aerator 9.6 30 21 20 n/a 0
Brinly PA-42BH-A 9.6 29 22 20 n/a 0
VEVOR 48 in Plug Aerator 9.6 29 20 21 n/a 0

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Safety counts only for powered gear or where the listing states safety features; where it does not apply, the score is taken over the remaining 90 points.

FAQ: mowing large lots

Plug or spike aerator?

A plug aerator removes small cores of soil, a spike aerator makes holes without removing soil. Plug aerators are usually the choice for compacted soil, and three of the four picks are described as plug aerators.

How much weight on a tow-behind aerator?

Up to the weight tray limit in the listing: 150 lb on the VEVOR, 175 lb on the Agri-Fab and Brinly 42 in, 200 lb on the Brinly 48 in. Stay within your mower’s towing capacity.

Can my riding mower pull an aerator?

Most lawn tractors can. The Brinly listing also mentions most zero-turns and ATVs. Check the towing capacity and hitch in your mower’s manual, and do not tow on steep slopes.

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