Benefits of using a Lawson Aerator
As you will find throughout this website, the benefits of using a Lawson Aerator are numerous.  A summary of a few key benefits are:

• No till application
• Bring CRP ground back into production BEFORE/after release
• Level CRP ground
• Increase grass and hayfield yields
• Increase water retention
• Single pass / conserve fuel and time

Reasons why Conservation Districts promote to District Members

• Conservation Districts and district members are seeing the benefits of the Lawson equipment but not all members have enough land or financial resources to justify the investment individually. In order to share in the costs and benefits, a great number of districts are purchasing/leasing Lawson Aerators for their members.

• One of many districts using a Lawson Aerator is Eddy County Conservation District in North Dakota.  Eddy County has owned a 14’ x 30’’ tandem aerator for a little over a year and has found it very successful in their program. This piece of equipment provides a no-till practice of aeration, soil compaction relief, leveling and clearing brush -- resulting in greater grass and forage yield.  All this is accomplished with one pass of the aerator which additionally conserves fuel and time.
  
  

Generating Revenue for Districts
In Eddy County, ND, district members are seeing the results of the aerator, thus keeping their machine high in demand and working nonstop.  In fact, the income generated from the 14’ x 30’’ tandem aerator has exceeded the purchase cost within a year and half.  Other districts in the state are having equal success in the field as well. The aerator has more than met their expectations.

Conservation District / Producers rental calculations
An average 30’’ single drum Lawson Aerator has an approximate wet weight of 8,000lbs and requires a tractor with 50hp or larger. A typical day of use will allow a producer to cover 50+/- acres.
The average price for a 30’’ single drum Lawson Aerator is $19,000. Conservation Districts typically charge $4 per acre rental rate for a single drum aerator.

Return on Investment:
$4 per acre rate X 50 acres = $200. $19,000 purchase price / $200 = 95 Days of rental needed to recoup purchase price.
Typical maintenance on a single drum Lawson Aerators is to simply grease two drum bearings after each use. That’s it.

Advantages for the Government
Lease/Purchase financing is designed to complement, not replace, bond financing. Leases afford government agencies the opportunity to acquire equipment during the current fiscal year instead of their having to wait until the next budgetary cycle. In addition, leases offer the following advantages to the government.

• Off balance sheet financing
• 100% financing to include delivery and installation costs
• Terms available up to ten years
• No debt created. Lease payments are subject to annual appropriations, which means that the obligation is not subject to statutory debt limitations. Since no debt is created, municipal leases do not require voter approval.
• Budget enhancement. Leasing allows public agencies to acquire needed improvements now rather than wait until next FY or beyond.
• Leveraged dollars. Leases may be designed to match finance terms to the expected useful life of the asset and spread the cost over a multi-year period.
• Flexibility. Payments may begin upon installation or delayed until the next fiscal year. In addition, they may be made in monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual installments.