Brinly Tow Behind Plug Aerator with Universal Hitch, 40" - Flat Black

What It Is

The Brinly 40-inch tow-behind plug aerator pulls cores of soil from your lawn to relieve compaction and improve air, water, and nutrient flow. It’s designed for use with garden tractors, lawn tractors, and zero-turn mowers on medium to large lawns (1/2 acre or more).

Fitment & Compatibility

• Hitch type: Universal hitch fits most tractors with a standard 3/4-inch or 1-inch hitch pin hole—check your mower’s hitch receiver size before buying.
• Tractor power: Requires at least 14 HP and a minimum 42-inch turning radius. Small push mowers or sub-compact tractors may struggle to pull or turn.
• Deck clearance: The aerator is 40 inches wide, so your mower deck must be at least 42 inches to avoid overlapping tracks. Measure your mower’s rear clearance—the aerator tongue extends about 12 inches behind the hitch.
• Weight & ballast: Unit weighs 110 lbs empty; add up to 40 lbs of weight plates (sold separately) for deeper penetration. Your tractor needs enough rear weight or tire ballast to maintain traction.

Key Things to Know

• No assembly required – comes mostly pre-assembled; just attach the hitch and add weight plates if needed.
• Plug depth adjustable – 0–3 inches via a simple pin-and-hole system. Start shallow on the first pass.
• Common gotcha: The tines are fixed—cannot be replaced individually. If one breaks, you replace the entire drum (about $80).
• Works best on damp soil – dry or hard-packed clay will bend tines or skip. Water the lawn 24 hours before aerating for clean plugs.

Should You Buy It

If you have a mid-to-large lawn (over 1/2 acre) and a tractor with at least 14 HP, this is a solid, durable plug aerator that outperforms spike aerators. It’s not for small push-mower lawns or rocky soil, but for the price it’s one of the most reliable tow-behind options available.