Box Scraper Box blade to topdress compost??

[jmarotz]

Check out the spreader I built, works for manure, compost and even dirt. Could build you one.
Enviro Spreader

[john_bud]

I still think that for fine mulch, a leaf blower used in vacuum mode (without the collection bag) would work great. You would dump the mulch in a trailer, drive to a spot, stand in the mulch and suck it up and spit it out. Cost of a decent blower/vac is $100. A real pro model is $5-600. Much more usefull later than a top dresser for 3000.

[dooger54]

Originally Posted by john_bud

I still think that for fine mulch, a leaf blower used in vacuum mode (without the collection bag) would work great. You would dump the mulch in a trailer, drive to a spot, stand in the mulch and suck it up and spit it out. Cost of a decent blower/vac is $100. A real pro model is $5-600. Much more usefull later than a top dresser for 3000.

Yea, but think about that. Topdressing 3 acres at 1/4" thick will use about 100 yards of compost, or about 50 tons. That's over 3 SEMI loads of compost. Can't see doing that out of a trailer with a blower, no matter how good it is.

[dooger54]

Originally Posted by pashworth

I will be in the same position in the fall, but I have 4.25 acres to top dress. I was going to make multiple trips to the local recycling center and pick up loads of compost.

Paul

What size truck will you be using to go the the recycling center? 4.25 acres will use about 140 yards of compost at 1/4" thick. A typical pickup will hold maybe 1 yard. You going to make 140 trips???

[pashworth]

I have access to a single axle landscape dump truck. I think I can hold 10 yards in it.
Paul

[pitt_md]

Originally Posted by Baby Grand

Would a manure spreader put down a fine enough layer?

I have a mini spreader that just might work for your application. it can spread "stuff" out pretty thin.

[Ford850]

I would think a small manure speader would sling the stuff pretty even. Then follow it with a couple passes using a fence drag to even out any small piles or clumps.

[AndyMA]

Originally Posted by pashworth

I will be in the same position in the fall, but I have 4.25 acres to top dress. I was going to make multiple trips to the local recycling center and pick up loads of compost.
Do you guys think I can spread it evenly with my Woods landscape rake? I dont have the outrigger wheels, but I assume that I will need to get them.
Paul

Yes, the rake is much easier than the box blade for this type of material. I also think that 1/4 inch is too thin. Where did this number come from? At my family's nursery we would typicall use 1 to 2 inches and till it in. Then rake it out with a York Rake.

Andy

[MarkV]

Originally Posted by jmarotz

Check out the spreader I built, works for manure, compost and even dirt. Could build you one.
Enviro Spreader

That is pretty slick! Do you plan to market it? If so, have you established a retail price?
Nice job.

MarkV

[dooger54]

Quick update-

Bought and Earth and Turf 20 topdresser. Excited about using it to spread compost this fall. I am waiting now to get the material, found a farmer to haul it using a semi that will haul about 40 yards per trip! So my 80 yards should only take two loads.