manure spreader need help!

[BryanM]

Facts: I have never owned one or used one until today!

I bought a used new idea #17 manure spreader and was wondering if their is any tricks too using

I tested the spreader out with nothing in it in a stone drive and everything seemed ok. So I loaded it up full! and started to try and spread a bit and what I have found is that at first the bottom drive didnt seem too turn correctly the gear that turns the unloader chain on the bottom of the spreader would move forward but then backwards too! I found that not both of the levers that hold the gear from springing back where not down! I placed both of them down and it seemed to work better! Hope that makes sense.

My next problem is that the triple beater stops working it looks like the chain skips on top of the big sprocket( the one on the axle). It seems too have alot of slop and I think That I might be able too remove a link to tight ten it up!

I know someone out their knows this spreader any advice on how too run it or knowledge of how too operate it would be greatful!

One other thing, the manure I was spreading was alot of straw that was wet with cow manure mixed in, am I suppose too let it dry in the spreader first or doesnt it matter? thanks

 

[atgreene]

Facts: I have never owned one or used one until today!

I bought a used new idea #17 manure spreader and was wondering if their is any tricks too using

I tested the spreader out with nothing in it in a stone drive and everything seemed ok. So I loaded it up full! and started to try and spread a bit and what I have found is that at first the bottom drive didnt seem too turn correctly the gear that turns the unloader chain on the bottom of the spreader would move forward but then backwards too! I found that not both of the levers that hold the gear from springing back where not down! I placed both of them down and it seemed to work better! Hope that makes sense.

My next problem is that the triple beater stops working it looks like the chain skips on top of the big sprocket( the one on the axle). It seems too have alot of slop and I think That I might be able too remove a link to tight ten it up!

I know someone out their knows this spreader any advice on how too run it or knowledge of how too operate it would be greatful!

One other thing, the manure I was spreading was alot of straw that was wet with cow manure mixed in, am I suppose too let it dry in the spreader first or doesnt it matter? thanks

I think mine is a 17? I'll have to look. All sounds like things that can be fixed, the little pawls that drop onto the splinned gear may need to be filed so they grab properly. There are lots of tricks any old equipment, with a little studying I'm sure you can see what needs some tweeking and fix it.

 

[rdbigfarmboy]

Green stuff (wet uncomposted hay) is hard to spread. Yes tighten it up as much as possible (more tension on the drive chain tensioners).

Thats a fairly aged machine there are some newer designs that can handle it a tad better.

I dont spread anything green compost first. Green will kill a spot of grass while decomposing. Compost melts in.

 

[grsthegreat]

i have an older manure spreader...not sure what model or age. Its a ground driven unit and there are 2 handles to control it. one handle controls the rear roller/thrower portion. the other controls the flow rate of the roller chain feeders. The flow rate handle has 3 settings, the roller has 1 setting.

my control arms have locking detents on them. the roller chains and feed chains do not go back and forth. they only flow in one direction. there are locking tabs that prevent it from going backwards if that makes any sense.

i don't have any close up pics of the unit. it has multiple sets of driver and reduction gears. chains all over the place. Shoups sells replacement chains and bars. As old as this unit is, it still works great. really spreads that manure. I can spread 6 months of it, using the horses, in a couple of 2 hour days.

doubt that this rant helps any. sorry

 

[BryanM]

I think I have got the spreader figured out! Its worn out:laughing: The major problem that I am having is the chain that drives the three beaters skips on the gear/sprocket until it jumps of.

I have taken a link out to tighten the chain to see if it will bite a bit better with no luck, same result!

I have taken the wheel off and the hub sprocket assembly off. I noticed that the key way groove in the hub has lots of wear allowing the sprocket too rotate a bit on its own. I believe that the sprocket and or chain is worn to a point that the chain justs skips off.

I am looking for a parts manual or a place I may be able to get some parts?
If anyone has a pic of the sprocket that or chain that drives the beaters so I can compare it too mine and what it should look like?

One more question, I think the gear is casting can I weld on it to make the teeth longer? any Ideas?

 

[grsthegreat]

I think I have got the spreader figured out! Its worn out:laughing: The major problem that I am having is the chain that drives the three beaters skips on the gear/sprocket until it jumps of.

I have taken a link out to tighten the chain to see if it will bite a bit better with no luck, same result!

I have taken the wheel off and the hub sprocket assembly off. I noticed that the key way groove in the hub has lots of wear allowing the sprocket too rotate a bit on its own. I believe that the sprocket and or chain is worn to a point that the chain justs skips off.

I am looking for a parts manual or a place I may be able to get some parts?
If anyone has a pic of the sprocket that or chain that drives the beaters so I can compare it too mine and what it should look like?

One more question, I think the gear is casting can I weld on it to make the teeth longer? any Ideas?

try www.shoupparts.com

lots of parts for farm equipment there.

 

[atgreene]

I had to have new spockets cut for mine. Eastern bearing in Portland was able to have some flame cut for my shaft size. Took a little time, but for what I'm doing with it I didn't need anything special.

Here's some pics of my overhaul. Took some work, but well worth it.

 

[BryanM]

A couple more questions:

First= is the chain for the beaters a 67H chain?

Second= Can you wire weld cast metal? I had an idea I might be able to build up the teeth or weld apiece of mild steel too the teeth so the chain doesnt skip on top of the sproket?

 

[atgreene]

You would be better off buying new sprokets. I think mine cost $30 or 40. You may even be able to take the ones you have and use them as patterns to cut new ones.

As for cast, can be done, but not sure you're saving any money or it would be any less effort. Most of the bed chains are standard, so if you can find which one you have the sproket should be an off the shelf part. My bed chain was replaced with an odd size chain, so it was easier to get new sprokets.

 

[blueriver]

A couple more questions:

First= is the chain for the beaters a 67H chain?

Second= Can you wire weld cast metal? I had an idea I might be able to build up the teeth or weld apiece of mild steel too the teeth so the chain doesnt skip on top of the sproket?

They would have to be worn A BUNCH to consider welding them up. Tighten the drive chains ... the two levers each have a purpose. One is for the Apron and one for the beaters. Each notch sets the speed of each.

If the beaters stop I would think your apron speed is to fast and feeding to much material to them ... slow them down and speed up the beaters ... just my thoughts.

Side note: The manure spreader was invented in China by a man they called "Fling S*it High"

 

[atgreene]

They would have to be worn A BUNCH to consider welding them up. Tighten the drive chains ... the two levers each have a purpose. One is for the Apron and one for the beaters. Each notch sets the speed of each.

If the beaters stop I would think your apron speed is to fast and feeding to much material to them ... slow them down and speed up the beaters ... just my thoughts.

Side note: The manure spreader was invented in China by a man they called "Fling S*it High"

Good point, there is a turn buckle to back off the feed speed, make sure it is feeding as slow as possible. If the sprokets are as bad as mine were, though, it still will slip with a heavy load. The other thing is to put some sawdust or hay on the floor of the spreader before loading so the load can slide easier.

 

[grsthegreat]

like i said before....
Shoup Manufacturing Company

they will mail you a catalog. it has nearly every part needed to fix manure spreaders. i fixed up my old 1940's era spreader, and it works great. moves large loads of wet manure. wasnt expensive to repair either

 

[BryanM]

I orderd the catalog a few days ago, from shoups! How do you tell what size chain you have?

I have the feed side working, I tried the slow feeder speed but the beater chain still skips then bounces off the gear, I would like too try a new chain first being the cheapest to see if that helps!

I have taken a link out of the chain too tighten the tensiion up a bit but it still skips then jumps off!

 

[grsthegreat]

I orderd the catalog a few days ago, from shoups! How do you tell what size chain you have?

I have the feed side working, I tried the slow feeder speed but the beater chain still skips then bounces off the gear, I would like too try a new chain first being the cheapest to see if that helps!

I have taken a link out of the chain too tighten the tension up a bit but it still skips then jumps off!

there are numbers stamped on the chains. if there too warn out to read the number, the catalog has dimensions and pictures so you can compare.
i replaced one entire length of my main drive chain because the old one kept jumping off, and now it stays in-place.

 

[atgreene]

You may also need to add an idler to keep some tension on the chain. Seems like mine has one? I'll take a look.

 

[Barry Bowen]

A number 17 is a great spreader, you just have to understand what it is capable of. I still have a #12 that does a great job. It can be filled to the point that no more will fit on it, and it does a great job.

Let's talk generalities about these units. If being loaded with an FEL, you need to break the stuff up some first. Digging large piles of straw and wet cow manure, makes it very hard on the unit. The leaver on the right that controlls the drag chain has numerous settings as to how fast the chain moves. If you are running really wet stuff, only set it in the middle. The betters only have one setting, on or off. I have never had one jump that chain off the sprocket. The sprockets vary a lot from 12-12A-17-206, each is different. Same operational idea, but different axles etc. Does the chain come off during spreading, or when you are stopping? If you stop too fast after the load is gone, I could see it jumping off then.

In your driving this spreader, how fast are you driving? They were only ever ment for a ground speed of about 3to 4 MPH. You may be able to push 5 if you are lucky and loaded with dry stuff.

The ratchet drive for the drag chain, probably just needs cleaned up and lubricated, or maybe the spring for it is gone or week. Some had springs, some did not. If those ratchet teeth are warn out and the beater sprocket is worn out (never seen this happen, seen them break, but not worn out) time to get another spreader.

The beater sprocket is cast, and none of the castings are available new any where. Used parts are the only thing you will find,and they are getting harder to find any more. I used to rebuilt these for the horse people in the area, but the supply of spreaders and parts just got too small.

 

[pengs68]

We have a 17 that we used for many years before we sold the cows. It was pretty bulletproof once everything was adjusted. I am getting it ready to sell and needed a new guard and found this site when I was looking. Hope it helps.
new idea spreader parts

 

[rdbigfarmboy]

I would say sell it. Buy something newer and useable same brand or different.
Theres a lot of folks with lots of time looking to restore something. Here in the mid south manure spreaders are very popular. Almost everyone has one, and they bought in the last 5 years most are ancient and nearly useless. Many pay upwards of 1000 for something when they have only a few loads to spread.

Yes I have a spreader Gehl 315 Scavenger II