Patent ID: 7926582

Claim:
A method for forming aeration pockets in a ground surface, comprising: towing an aeration apparatus that is mounted to a frame over the ground surface using a tow vehicle, the aeration apparatus including: a central axis, a plurality of curved aeration blades attached to a tine-holder shaft that is offset from the central axis, and a planetary gear system coupled to the tine-holder shaft so as to drive the curved aeration blades in a rotational motion about a shaft axis of the tine-holder shaft and in a revolving motion about the central axis of the aeration apparatus as the curved aeration blades form aeration pockets in the ground surface, moving the aeration apparatus over the ground surface at a substantially continuous rate of greater than about five miles-per-hour while at the same time the plurality of curved aeration blades are driven into the ground surface and revolve about the central axis of the aeration apparatus in a direction toward the tow vehicle.