I put crabgrass preventer down in the spring. Have never aerated. I do roll every now and then. Spray the dandelions after mushroom season. Clean it up the day after Thanksgiving and call it good
I don't remember the brand I rented from Sunbelt, but it was basically like running a rear tine roto-tiller. It was heavy, but not 450 lbs.. It worked great, but it was a lot of walking for my yard.