Broadcast Spreader

[Mayor]

Right now I have a craftsman pull behind from my old lawn tractor. With the 2305 it is a total pain running it. I have a hard time turning it on and off. Also is hard to see behind the tractor. I even made the hand larger to help but it is still not working well. This winter I will get a 3 point PTO unit. Don't waste your time with the pull behind.

[orlo]

I bought a funnel type broadcast spreader to use on both my 3720 and 2305. It'll hold 1100# of material although that would have to be something very, very heavy. It wasn't much more than a 200# pull behind. I've used the pull behinds on my lawn tractor and would go for the PTO broadcast. Get the biggest one you can as the units are very, very light and it's the contents that accounts for most of the weight. Even on my 2305 I could fill it with very light material (maybe 500lbs) if I wanted. I probably fit maybe 700-800lbs of granulated lime in mine (again, 1100lb (500kg) capacity) when I spread lime on the 3720.

I'm having a mental fart at the moment and can't remember the brand. I bought it at the Deere dealership and it's an Italian brand they sell a lot of. Made well and very light.

[JDFANATIC]

I don't know; 300 lbs of material is a pretty good load for my 2210.
As you can see, it requires all the suitcase weights on the front that will fit. I suppose you could use the loader as counterballance, but when you get the tractor loaded up that way, you'll need to use low range for any slopes -- this then requires the pto speed to be throttled way down and kind of defeats the purpose of covering large areas with little effort.

[VABlue]

Low gear, yes - but you have hydro drive on the 2210 so you could slow down that way and keep the pto engine speed. Am I missing something?

That 46' spread? Maybe, in perfect conditions, using the exact same seed as used in the tests... However, you can adjust the engine rpm's to slow down the pto and not throw seed so far.

[Soundguy]

I use my cone spreader on a 3ac pasture, and a 10ac pasture.

Lower pto rpm to get less spread width.

Soundguy

Originally Posted by JDTRAC

Appreciate all the excellent responses....

I do have a couple follow-up questions:

1) Given the Frontier 3ph PTO model I am looking at has a 46 ft spread distance, would this be a problem (ie. tendency for overspreading of seed or fertilizer) in tight areas such as a grove of several trees (150 wide by 400 foot long) or near buildings or house?? I can certainly see benefit in wide open property (which part of my land is). However, wanted to get some additional thoughts.

2) Is 3 acres large enough to warrant this model? What size of property do most of you use your spreaders on? Again, my goal is to minimize alot of walking and pushing of a spreader such as the Earthway model I have.

Thanks again.

[JDFANATIC]

Originally Posted by VABlue

Low gear, yes - but you have hydro drive on the 2210 so you could slow down that way and keep the pto engine speed. Am I missing something?

That 46' spread? Maybe, in perfect conditions, using the exact same seed as used in the tests... However, you can adjust the engine rpm's to slow down the pto and not throw seed so far.

VA,

What I meant, is that ground speed is a big part of the equation. Go too fast, and you don't put down enough; go too slow, and you put down too much. You do have the pto speed that can be adjusted, as well as the chute opening, but there is not a lot of difference in ground speed no matter what the throttle setting is on these tractors while in low-range. From my experience, I have gotten better results, and certainly more productive ones, while spreading in high-range.

[VABlue]

I get it now!! Thanks for the clarification...

[organ grinder]

I've used a Herd galvanized spreader for about ten years, similar to the I-92 the company presently offers. It's a good piece of equipment, well-built, and durable. It has a handle I can reach from the 2210's seat. Herd (located in Indiana) provides first-class customer service. Their product line is worth a look.

[slaveToHorses]

I have a 500# cone spreader (the Italian job) that I have used on an 855, 3720 and 2355. No problemo. I have used it on a 3/4 acre pasture (though it had no obstacles). A 300# would probably be appropriate for a 2305 but the 500 would probably fit.

It has held up fine for years. Easy to use.

I close it off at row turns.

[Loogie]

Originally Posted by organ grinder

I've used a Herd galvanized spreader for about ten years, similar to the I-92 the company presently offers. It's a good piece of equipment, well-built, and durable. It has a handle I can reach from the 2210's seat. Herd (located in Indiana) provides first-class customer service. Their product line is worth a look.

Organ Grinder, Is yours closer to the M-96 than the I-92? I'm in the market too and Herd recommended the M-96 for my 2305. It looks like the I-92 is electric but the hopper looks similar. Can you set left/right/full with your Herd spreader? I never heard anything but good things about them and they seem to be priced competitively when you include shipping.