Spreader manure spreader: proper usage

[psuedofarmer]

can anyone provide some tips on proper usage of this implement? i picked up an old Knight model (unsure of the capacity.. unit appears to be ~16' long by 6' wide).

curious about engine speed, PTO speed, etc. i've never used one before, so any advice welcome.

pf

 

[Farmwithjunk]

can anyone provide some tips on proper usage of this implement? i picked up an old Knight model (unsure of the capacity.. unit appears to be ~16' long by 6' wide).

curious about engine speed, PTO speed, etc. i've never used one before, so any advice welcome.

pf

Don't stand behind it while operating

 

[Charolais]

I bought a Martin spreader(same as Gehl) Back in May. It's a v-tank with the side slinger. The slinger is a drum with paddles that turn at 880 rpm's with the tractor turning 540 on the pto. It has a 24" screw in the hopper to pull material to the gate. I use my Long to pull this spreader. 64hp and it takes every one of those hp's to get it going. I have to run the pto at 540 to get the machine to operate proper.

I use this spreader to spread wood fly ash. When starting out with a load I have to raise the gate as soon as the pto starts turning good. If I don't the screw will pull the ash and start packing, if the gate isn't open. I broke a #60 chain when first starting out before learning what to do and when to do it. The screw is mounted on hydraulic cylinders and I have to raise the cylinders to the top when filling the hopper. If I leave the screw down it's to much load to get the machine started. As the ash comes out I have to lower the screw in to the ash to keep it flowing to the gate. Lowering the screw while spreading, I listen to the tractor engine and watch the flow coming out the gate. Lower to fast and it'll break a chain. Lower to slow and it won't throw the material even or max. distance.

My hopper is 14' long 8' wide and 5 ' deep and v shaped. I can get 2 tons of ash per load. Right now I'm putting down 4-4.5 tons per acre. Had 20 acres I put down 6.5 tones per acre. So a load doesn't go very far. Can run 8 loads per hour if not hauling over 1/8 mile. Spreading ash with it is like a sky rocket. Get it going and by the time you get it wound up it's all over. LOL

The ash and hauling is free and 2.5 tones of wood ash is = to 1 ton of lime. Lime has gone to $34 per ton spread here, so the ash is an answer to cut cost for me. I have 120 acres that has to be limed every 3 years. Wood ash also has other plant food too. So it helps on the fertilizer end too.

Make sure nothing is turning if you get off the tractor. I've read about guys being pulled in to the screw when trying to get stuck material to slide down the tank. It'll throw rocks too. So stay clear of any moving parts. Last Jan. a rock came out across the highway in front of my house. Went about 500 ft. , through the storm door glass, through the wood door glass and landed behind my recliner in the living room. I didn't see it happen and kept spreading. When I turned at the end of the field I could see my wife standing in front of the house with her hands on her hips. LOL LOL I knew something was up then. LOL So watch where you point that thing. LOL

 

[Mike120]

I'm not sure about the proper usage as I only use mine to spread manure. I never thought about wood fly ash. Engine speed should be whatever your tractor takes to turn 540 on the pto (usually around 2200 or so). I normally pull at around 5-6 mph. Unless you have a cab, wear a hat and like the man said "don't stand behind it". Here are the specs for the 1200 series....

 

[kensfarm]

Don't stand behind it while operating

Even in front of it you'll still get "splattered".. watch out for those fist-sized rocks.. the spreader will throw them forward just as easily.

1. Start w/ a small load first & increase the load size depending on how the spreader handles the load.

2. I run at 540.. the NH spreader I run is a double beater and has a chain rate selection lever on the front of the spreader.. I set it at the lowest speed.

3. I adjust the tractor's speed based on the amount of manure the beater's are throwing.. I put a heavy coat on ground that will be plowed.. light coat on hay field so not to smother the grass.

My biggest problem is piling too high w/ heavy manure.. shear bolts break.. and you have to empty out the load partially to get the spreader going again.

I cleaned the steers lot this weekend.. piled it high to compost.. the more composted the manure.. the lighter & easier it is to spread out. Be careful.. it's a lot of stinken fun!!!

 

[psuedofarmer]

thanks for the replies - i've got one additional question:

i was hoping to pull this spreader with a 55HP cab tractor, but i'm not convinced it has the power i need. i have a 90HP, but w/o cab..

i was looking forward to the pulling it with the cab - this is fresh sheep manure, and it's rather pungent!

pf

 

[Charolais]

I won't say your 55 hp won't handle the spreader. My v-tank weighs 4,300 empty and will hold 2 tons of ash. My tractor weighs 4570 and I've added ballast to 16.9 x 28's and in the front tires too. The tractor pulls the weight very well. I did add support under the draw bar. Without the support it was bowed a little. Where I see the load is getting it started with a full hopper. It'll make the Long snort, but after everything is up to speed it smooths out pretty fast. The ash is soft and fluffy. If I were spreading manure I wouldn't fill the hopper as full as I do with ash. I plan to spread chicken litter in Dec. I'll only fill to the bottom of the screw with the screw raised until I see what that does.

I've also used the spreader to feed cows corn gluten pellets. I use the ground speed pto for that and use the slowest gear to creep along. Works great too.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Even in front of it you'll still get "splattered".. watch out for those fist-sized rocks.. the spreader will throw them forward just as easily.

1. Start w/ a small load first & increase the load size depending on how the spreader handles the load.

2. I run at 540.. the NH spreader I run is a double beater and has a chain rate selection lever on the front of the spreader.. I set it at the lowest speed.

3. I adjust the tractor's speed based on the amount of manure the beater's are throwing.. I put a heavy coat on ground that will be plowed.. light coat on hay field so not to smother the grass.

My biggest problem is piling too high w/ heavy manure.. shear bolts break.. and you have to empty out the load partially to get the spreader going again.

I cleaned the steers lot this weekend.. piled it high to compost.. the more composted the manure.. the lighter & easier it is to spread out. Be careful.. it's a lot of stinken fun!!!

You get in on you, the tractor, everything with-in 100 yards, and that's under ideal conditions. I started out with an old International Harvester "300" ground driven model. (about 30 bu. capacity) I ended up with a New Holland 130 bu PTO spreader. No matter what the technology, it's still a crappy job!

 

[HWS1020]

I noticed you live up in the north land. Something to remember is to load and empty the spreader. Do not let the load freeze in the bin. It will. It's a long unpleasent job to chip out a frozen spreader. Something to remember if you plan to use it during the winter months.

 

[turfaire]

Spreading manure may need some professional advice, so I recommend contacting a politician.

Sorry, could not resist. You know you was thinking the same thing when you saw the title.

Jason B Bour
Bishop Enterprises Inc Bell Buckle, TN