Spreader Hydraulic, PTO or Electric Spreader

[Neophyte]

Does anyone out there have any experience with a hydraulic spreader?

My father has a Thomas Equipment Hydraulic Spreader (Skid Steer Quick Attach) that usually sits around unused. I was thinking about adapting it to my 3PH (iMatch) & 3rd SCV to use for seeding/fertilizing in the summer and sanding/salting in the winter. It should also act as a good rear ballast in the winter time.

THOMAS Hydraulic Spreader

It's either this or I will purchase a PTO spreader or Electric Spreader. Other than hydraulic, I was kind of leaning torwards the electric spreader. I was thinking about adapting an electric spreader to my EZmover receiver hitch or directly to my iMatch. I tend to like the idea of an electric spreader with receiver tube since I could use it on my truck, ATV or tractor. It would also be independent of other PTO implements.

Any thoughts or opinions?

[Farmwithjunk]

Does anyone out there have any experience with a hydraulic spreader?

My father has a Thomas Equipment Hydraulic Spreader (Skid Steer Quick Attach) that usually sits around unused. I was thinking about adapting it to my 3PH (iMatch) & 3rd SCV to use for seeding/fertilizing in the summer and sanding/salting in the winter. It should also act as a good rear ballast in the winter time.

THOMAS Hydraulic Spreader

It's either this or I will purchase a PTO spreader or Electric Spreader. Other than hydraulic, I was kind of leaning torwards the electric spreader. I was thinking about adapting an electric spreader to my EZmover receiver hitch or directly to my iMatch. I tend to like the idea of an electric spreader with receiver tube since I could use it on my truck, ATV or tractor. It would also be independent of other PTO implements.

Any thoughts or opinions?

Only experience is with PTO spreaders. In most cases, they operate in a very hostile environment. Salt and fertilizer will corrode anything that comes in contact with them. I can see your point with the versatility of the electric powered spreader, but that's not for me. In the end, no matter what brand or what material they're primarily constructed of, spreaders don't last long enough to invest big bucks, unless you plan on using it a BUNCH. I just buy a cheaper model every few years and let it go at that. (I bought a top-of-the-line Herd spreader about 20 years ago, and a VERY expensive Vicon about 10 years ago, both, in spite of meticulous cleaning and care, ended up suffering the same fate. RUST.) Now I just get a cheap TSC spreader and use it 'till it's trashed, then go get another one.

[Neophyte]

Farmwithjunk,

Do you ever use salt or sand in your spreader?

The one thing I like about the PTO spreader is the capacity. The electric tailgate spreaders usually have much smaller capacities. The smaller capacity would be fine for my seeding and fertilizing needs, which are minimal, but not for my salting/sanding needs in the winter.

[Farmwithjunk]

Farmwithjunk,

Do you ever use salt or sand in your spreader?

The one thing I like about the PTO spreader is the capacity. The electric tailgate spreaders usually have much smaller capacities. The smaller capacity would be fine for my seeding and fertilizing needs, which are minimal, but not for my salting/sanding needs in the winter.

I've never spread plain salt (or sand for that matter). I have used "Ice Foe", a granular ice melter that looks much like fertilizer. We did our road for years before the county decided to start maintaining it during the winter. (Took having a county commisioner moving on to our road. Some reason HIS kids saftey (school bus) was far more important that anyone elses. County wouldn't even talk to us before we were blessed with "royalty" moving our way. Rant over....) Anyway, a 5-gallon bucket of Ice Foe would cover 1/2 mile of 1-lane paved road. Didn't take a very big spreader.