Agri-Fab 45-0473 SmartLink Master Platform

The side parts on the tray came assembled backward. It took completely assembling the platform a couple times but once I figured out the problem, it was easy, and I am pleased with the results.

Hi This review is for the Smart link Masterplatform AND its attachments. (Agri-Fab 45-0473 SmartLink Master Platform) Sorry I couldnt link it, no idea why.Ok, so I got this inhuman heavy box today. The box was damaged, and a lot of single parts in the box were just thrown in there.Not wrapped or packed in any way. What a fantastic start, of course because the sub standard packaging, a lot of the parts were scratched and the paint already on the way to hell.....hmpf....I really don't like that. A quick scan of the box proofed, I was missing 2 nuts (ok bad joke, I know) but there were two nylon locks missing, really, I mean it. I usually am not as difficult about missing screws or nuts, but this was not a cheap tool. So i went and bought 2 nuts. 30 minutes and and 2$ later I was complete and ready to assemble. The drawings were ok, the description acceptable, but there was one thing I really liked. They have a page on Youtube with a videos on how to. Not that I really needed it, but it was handy at one point when the drawing was unclear. Installation went pretty well,and I was done in an hour (I am slow).The whole things seems incredible sturdy, the lift handle that doubles as a back stand is a fantastic idea. I really liked that.The papers state that you can load 140 lbs of added weight on top! That can be very handy dethatching or areating.(I found it handy with areating (added 80lbs), dethatching with high weights can damage your grass.SO, this was the part for the Master platform. I hope it helped you somewhat in your decision to buy or not to buy. If you need more info or have questions, please ask, if I can I will answer.Please look out for the attachment reviews. i will get the parts over the next weeks and will update my reviews.So here my reviews for the Dethatcher and the Turf Shark attachmentsFirst of all adding the attachments is really easy and quickly done. Be aware that the unit itself is pretty heavy, so it was easy for me, it may mean you need a second person, tough I doubt it.++++++++++  Agri-Fab 45-0457 SmartLink Dethatcher The Dethatcher.....well I have a simpler dethatcher from Agri FAB and it does its job, but there is NO compare to this tool.It ripped out so much stuff and cleaned out my grass fantastic. I have to admit I bought the dethatcher from another supplier.I used it only once yet, but I do admit, I am impressed. It does a very good job. I also used it to "cover" new grass seed. So I seeded and used the dethatcher to "work" the seed in. Worked great!As with the other attachments a criss cross pattern does help.Be aware that "ripping"out the old stuff alone does not help. You also have to remove what you ripped out. Either with a rake, or with one of the Garden Sweepers (great tool) Agri-Fab 45-0456 44-Inch Smart Sweep Tow Lawn Sweeper  I dont have this one. This is just a sample how they look+++++The Turf Shark Agri-Fab 45-0458 SmartLink Turf Shark Aerator Man that thing shredded my lawn...in a good way. I used it in a cross and square pattern with added weight of 80 pounds on top and I must say it did a fantastic job of "shredding" holes into my whole lawn, so that rain and "food" can reach the root system easier. I was able to aerate my whole 2 acres in about 3 hrs. Which i consider really quick.Assembly takes about2 minutes, but as with the other attachments you may need a second person.What I did realize, now I have one base unit and 2 sets of attachments. The dethatcher is reasonable easy to handle when its not attached to the platform but the Turfshark is a bit of a different animal. I am not sureyet how and where I will store that thing with its bunch of knifes. Its not heavy, but if that thing topples on you..you on it....gore fest!So handle with care!!So far I only have the two attachments, but if I buy more, or if i have trouble with anything, I will update!

Update: I bumped this up 2 stars because the dethatcher ended up working great, and the unit is holding up without broken welds. The hitch method kind of beats up the tractor, especially when the tray is weighted for aerator. I might put some rubber hose over the pin and arm to combat this. The aerator struggles to work good unless the ground is very soft and well watered beforehand. Its probably good at maintaining aeration after a professional job is done on a hard packed lawn. I did switch between attachments without moving the brace and I seemingly had no issues.Package arrived with holes, and nuts and bolts loose in the box. Paint scratched all over. The preassembled portions had fallen apart. Many bolts are missing.The hitch tubes are not bent properly so that the hitch holes don't line up. You can barely get the lift tube assembly around the tray. The directions have you do it in the wrong order. Goes way easier if you attach the arms and lift tube at back end first, then bend the hitch tubes into alignment and fasten afterwards.Instead of making the lift tube one piece to include the wheel holes, they have you insert a lower tube into the upper tube. They do not fit unless pounded in with a hammer, messing up all the paint so its a rust bucket. If you go too far, you can't get them back out, and wont be able to attach the bolts in the hole. But hey, now you can use those extra bolts to replace the missing bolts on the preassembled tray!The aerator and dethatcher do not simply latch and unlatch as the video shows. You have to unblolt and bolt a brace into a different spot each time you swap attachmens.There's no rubber to put on the weight tray to protect the paint, or rubber on the foot stands so once again, all the paint comes off and you end up with an eye sore rust bucket.There are no holes on the side of the tray so you can't use a single ratchet strap to secure the weight load. But since the paint is gone anyway, just drill some.I anticipate having to loosen everything again when I go to attach the plug aerator to get it to fit, and based on quality so far, I have low expectations of it working well. The dethatcher looks even less likely to perform well. Save some time and money and drag a rake behind you when you mow.This looks identical to the john deere unit so don't buy that either. Wished I boxed this up and returned as soon as I saw the loose and missing hardware. Read other reviews and now I'm waiting for welds to start snapping too.

Very useful system but needs a fairly powerful lawn tractor

Das Teil ist solide, aber schwierig zusammen zu bauen, Teile passen nicht / Biegeradien, Bohrungen nicht Deckungsgleich.Die Zusatzgeräte passen zum Teil nicht und Vertikutierer und Entmoser sind nahezu wirkungslos.Sollte zurückgehen. Lieferfirma aber in England und nur mit selbst frankierter Rücksendung möglich....;((