Spreader Spreader recommendations needed

[Will]

I'd like to get a small 3-point hitch pto powered spreader to use for fertilizer and grass seed. I'm looking for something fairly inexpensive and easy to store, so what do you recommend?

 

[SimS]

Agri-Supply has a Cosmo pto spreader for $239.95. I just bought one used and it works great. I don't know where you are in Georgia but there is a retail store in Tifton, GA and Greenville, SC. <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.agri-supply.com>http://www.agri-supply.com</A>

Sim

 

[kyoders]

It's in Greenville, NC. You had me going there for a minute. I thought there might have been one close enough to home to make the trip.

Kevin

 

[crb478]

I bought the same spreader from Agri Supply. They also have a store in Garner NC if you want to drive that far, or they will deliver it. 800-345-0169 Mine was delivered for $39.05 Total cost with tax was 294.60. It wasn't worth it to me to drive. It was also over 50 dollars cheaper than simular spreaders around here

 

[Will]

That looks like a good deal. Can you control the width or the side that it spreads on? I've never used one, so maybe it is just a matter of slowing down the PTO. Also, do you think it would work well on grass seed and pelletized lime?Thanks a lot for the suggestion.

 

[Soundguy]

Also look a the ones that TSC sells. The have both a large unit, with a standard pto drive, and also a slightly smaller unit with a flexible pto shaft. I bought the smaller unit, and just seeded and fertalized 9 acers a couple of weeks ago.
Worked great.

Soundguy

 

[TresCrows]

The Herd M-96 is what you probably want. It is much smaller than the units typically sold at the tractor Supply places, just right for smaller tractors and --well--Handy as a pocket on a shirt. Phone number is 219-753-6311. J

 

[Will]

Thanks for the suggestion. How big is that spreader? I think the low priced Cosmo spreader is a little over 3ft in each direction.Thanks,Will

 

[TresCrows]

The M-96 is much smaller than the unts sold at the farm stores. It is just right for a BX or 7500 or 2410. They also offer a larger version called the M-160. Either unit is avaialble with an optional steel top cover and also an extension for increased capacity. The unit has a cast iron base and bronze and iron gears with zerks, The funnel is galvanized steel. Adjustment is fairly easy and I have had no service problems with mine. The only complaint is that at the very last little bit of seeds or fertilizer it will not feed well cuz the botton is only slightly sloped to the outlet--this occurs only at the very last little bit and has not been a problem. It spreads granular fertilizer and seeds well. It does not like powdery stuff like some of the weed and feed fertilizers that have small granules and lots of powder. It will spread the heck out of stuff like Triple 8 or Triple 13 which I get at the Farm Co-op. Seeds spread nicely. J

 

[Will]

Thanks again for the info. I did some checking, and of course you are right, the Herd M-96 is smaller than the standard ag units. The spreaders I've seen all measure about 36" in height, but the M-96 is only 20" across the top compared to 36" for the Cosmo and similar brands. It weighs 84 lbs, the Cosmo weighs about 120 lbs I think. In terms of price, the list is $350 while the Cosmo goes for $239.I spoke to David Herd, and asked what he thinks the advantages of his unit is compared to the Cosmo. He said that it was designed to spread seeds well, and that it could distribute a very uniform small quantity (2lbs/acre). Also he said that they make a point of providing replacement parts very quickly.