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Yard Tuff 48-Inch Tow-Behind Plug Aerator vs Brinly PA-40BH Tow-Behind Plug Aerator

Both are 48-inch tow-behind plug aerators with 32 coring spoons, so the core job is the same. The Brinly PA-40BH is the better pick for most shoppers: it pulls plugs up to 3 inches deep, has a steel weight tray that holds up to 150 lb, individually replaceable spoons, and transport wheels for crossing pavement. The Yard Tuff is a simpler steel unit with a 2.5-inch depth and no listed weight tray or transport wheels, and it ships without tools. Brinly's 4.3 rating from over 1,000 owners is a stronger track record than the Yard Tuff's sparse feedback.

  • Choose the Yard Tuff 48-Inch if you want a basic, powder-coated steel plug aerator for acreage and large properties and don't need a weight tray or transport wheels.
  • Choose the Brinly PA-40BH if you want deeper 3-inch plugs, a weight tray for hard clay, replaceable spoons and transport wheels, backed by a large body of owner ratings.

Prices

  • Yard Tuff 48-Inch Tow-Behind Plug Aerator: $288.99 at Zoro (last seen Nov 9)
  • Brinly PA-40BH Tow-Behind Plug Aerator: $116.33 at eBay (last seen Nov 9)
  • Difference: the Brinly PA-40BH Tow-Behind Plug Aerator is $172.66 cheaper than the Yard Tuff 48-Inch Tow-Behind Plug Aerator at the latest prices (Nov 9)
Yard Tuff
Yard Tuff 48-Inch Tow-Behind Plug Aerator

Yard Tuff 48-Inch Tow-Behind Plug Aerator

3.7(11 ratings)
$288.99at ZoroChecked Nov 9
See all prices and details
Visit Zoro
Pros
  • 48-inch swath covers large lawns fast
  • Powder-coat finish resists corrosion
  • 32 steel coring spoons
  • Pneumatic 10-inch tires
Cons
  • Shallower 2.5-inch plug depth
  • No listed weight tray for hard soil
  • No transport wheels for pavement
  • Tools not included
Brinly
Brinly PA-40BH Tow-Behind Plug Aerator

Brinly PA-40BH Tow-Behind Plug Aerator

4.3(1,051 ratings)
$116.33at eBayChecked Nov 9
See all prices and details
Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission.

Pros
  • 3-inch plug depth reaches deeper roots
  • Weight tray takes up to 150 lb for compacted clay
  • Individually replaceable spoons cut service cost
  • Transport wheels make driveway crossings easy
  • Strong owner ratings from over 1,000 buyers
Cons
  • Heavier unit to hitch and move
  • Manual control only
  • Listing text is inconsistent on spoon count (24 vs 32)

What separates them

Yard Tuff 48-Inch Tow-Behind Plug AeratorBrinly PA-40BH Tow-Behind Plug Aerator
Plug depthUp to 2.5 inchesUp to 3 inches
Weight trayNot listedEnclosed steel tray, up to 150 lb added
Transport wheelsNot listed; 10-inch pneumatic tiresEasy-to-engage transport wheels, never-flat turf tires
Spoon service32 steel coring spoons32 heat-treated 16-gauge spoons, individually replaceable
Tine sectionsSingle rigid frameFour independently rotating welded sections
Max tow speedNot listed5 mph
Build and finishSteel with powder-coat corrosion resistanceAll-steel, heat-treated spoons
Owner feedbackLimited ratings4.3 out of 5 from 1,051 ratings

Price history

$318.78$199.99
Nov 9Nov 10
  • Yard Tuff 48-Inch Tow-Behind Plug Aerator: lowest $199.99 on Nov 9 at Northern Tool; $318.78 on Nov 10.
  • Brinly PA-40BH Tow-Behind Plug Aerator: lowest $299.00 on Nov 9 at The Home Depot; $299.00 on Nov 10.

Prices at every store

Yard Tuff 48-Inch Tow-Behind Plug Aerator

  • ZoroNew

    In stock

    $288.99+ $55.00 shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit Zoro
  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by UnbeatableSale

    $318.78+ $38.99 shippingChecked 2 h ago
    Visit Walmart
  • Tuff BrothersNew

    In stock

    $449.82Checked Nov 9
    Visit Tuff Brothers
  • Northern ToolNew

    Out of stock

    $199.99Checked Nov 9
    Visit Northern Tool
All 5 stores and price history →

Brinly PA-40BH Tow-Behind Plug Aerator

  • Brinly-Hardy CompanyNew

    In stock

    $299.00Checked 2 h ago
    Visit Brinly-Hardy Company
  • eBayNew

    In stockSold by eiaron_0

    $346.84Free shippingChecked 2 h ago
    Visit eBay
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by treasuretroop66 (99.8% positive, 15,300 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $116.33Free shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit eBay
  • The Home DepotNew

    Availability unknown

    $365.41Free shippingChecked 2 h ago
    Visit The Home Depot

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 4 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecYard Tuff 48-Inch Tow-Behind Plug AeratorBrinly PA-40BH Tow-Behind Plug Aerator
Power SourceTow-behindTow-Behind
Equipment TypeLawn AeratorLawn Aerator
Aerator TypePlug aerator, Tow-behind aeratorPlug
Application TypeLawn careLawn care
Function TypeAeratingAerating
Typical UsersLawn Mowers, ATVs, Garden TractorsHomeowners
Height18.5 inches28 in
Length8 inches36 in
Width51 inches57 in
Cutting Width48-inch48"
Cutting DepthUp to 2.5-inch (plugs removed)Up to 3", 3" (soil cores)
Cutting MechanismCoring spoonsPlug
Show all 30 specsShow fewer specs
SpecYard Tuff 48-Inch Tow-Behind Plug AeratorBrinly PA-40BH Tow-Behind Plug Aerator
Material DurabilityDurable steel constructionHeat-treated (spoons)
Included AccessoriesTools Not ProvidedUniversal Hitch Pin
Tines32 coring spoonsFour independently rotating, welded plug tine s…
Tire Size10-inch10″ x 3″
Tire TypePneumaticTurf (Wheel tread), Large treaded wheels, Never…
Safety FeaturesProp 65 Warning(s) (for CA residents)—
Aeration CapacityAcreages and large properties—
Weather ResistanceResists corrosion (Powder-coat finish)—
Blade Material

What reviewers say

Yard Tuff 48-Inch Tow-Behind Plug Aerator

  • 3.7 / 511 ratings

Owners of large lawns generally find it does the job a rented aerator would, pulling visible plugs and covering ground quickly behind a riding mower. Complaints center on assembly, weight and the spoons bending on hard or rocky soil.

What people mention
  • Plug qualityPraisedOwners say it pulls real soil plugs rather than just spiking holes.
  • CoveragePraisedThe 48-inch width is called a time saver on large lawns.
  • AssemblyCriticisedBuyers report the build takes time and needs tools not in the box.
  • WeightMixedThe steel frame is seen as sturdy but heavy to lift and turn.

Brinly PA-40BH Tow-Behind Plug Aerator

  • 4.3 / 51,051 ratings

Owners rate it well and mostly praise how effectively it pulls cores once weighted, and how the independent sections track uneven lawns. Complaints center on the weight needed for hard soil and on the bulk of hitching and storage.

What people mention
  • Core pullingPraisedOwners say it lifts real 3-inch plugs and the lawn responds within a season.
  • Weight trayMixedThe tray is useful, but many say it takes a lot of ballast to work in dry or clay soil.
  • ManeuverabilityPraisedIndependent tine sections are said to handle turns and uneven ground without gouging.
  • BuildPraised

Questions and answers

Which is better for hard, compacted clay?
The Brinly. Its steel weight tray holds up to 150 lb, which drives the spoons deeper into hard soil. The Yard Tuff has no listed weight tray.
Which pulls deeper plugs?
The Brinly, at up to 3 inches versus 2.5 inches on the Yard Tuff. Deeper plugs open more of the root zone to water and nutrients.
Which is easier to move across a driveway?
The Brinly. It has easy-to-engage transport wheels that lift the spoons for pavement crossings. The Yard Tuff relies on its tires alone.
Which lasts longer?
The Brinly has the edge on serviceability: each heat-treated spoon is individually replaceable, so worn spoons can be swapped without replacing a whole section. The Yard Tuff's powder-coated steel frame should hold up, but its spoons are not listed as individually replaceable.
Is the Brinly worth stepping up to over the Yard Tuff?
Yes for most lawns. The extra depth, weight tray and transport wheels address the main limits of a basic plug aerator. The Yard Tuff makes sense only if you want a simple unit for large open ground.
Will either fit a zero-turn mower?
The Brinly is listed for lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers and includes a universal hitch pin. The Yard Tuff lists lawn mowers, ATVs and garden tractors as tow vehicles.

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  • Agri-Fab 45-0544 40 in Tow Behind Spike Aerator vs Brinly PA-40BH Tow-Behind Plug Aerator

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best tow-behind lawn aerators
Steel
—
MaterialSteel—
colorBlack—
size14" H x 40" W x 48" L—
Weight—90 lb
Speed—5 mph (Max tow speed)
Safety Highlights—Works safely on turns & uneven terrain
Suitable For—Larger lawns
Blades—32 heat treated 16-gauge steel core plug spoons
Control Type—Manual
Buyers describe the steel frame and spoons as sturdy and durable across seasons.