Anyone made their own topdresser?

[cjcocn]

Why don't you just buy a used sand spreader? Some of the plow sites probably have one for sale in their classifieds right now.

Or you could find a dealer and go look at their sand spreaders for ideas on making your own.


NOTE: My post may not have helped much, but it does get me subscribed to this thread. I'm interested in seeing what you decide (esp. if you build one and post pics!).

 

[Ron25]

Can't help with the dresser but, have you ever core aerated the lawn? Before you topdress again areate and the dressing will fill the plug holes. Aerating clay soil should help alot.

 

[Blagadan]

Hi Ron, yeah, I have a 48" core aerator I got from NorthernTool. I usually aerate the soil before I spread out the sand. It does make a big difference to aerate before putting on the sand, you're right. I've been aerating maybe 2 years now and have noticed an improvement. My problem is trying to get the sand out evenly AND over the whole garden. I tend to address only the problem areas of the garden but would prefer 100% sand coverage...

 

[FredWalter]

I have heavy clay soil too.

Adding sand helps, eh?

After you've spread it, do you run over the ground with a rototiller to mix it in? If so, how deep do you set your rototiller for?

I wish I'd known this last week - I was at a farm equipment auction, and saw at least one road sand/salt spreader sold, and it didn't sell for much, under a $1000 if I recall correctly.

 

[Blagadan]

Hi Fred,

No you dont rototill it into the soil, Simply lay it down over the top of the existing lawn. 1/4inch thick layer, then rake or brush it down through the grass so it can get to the soil. I have been shovelling sand out of the back of a trailer for the last few years and it is not fun anymore. I have a tow behind rake that I use after I spread out the sand. One or two passes and the sand is worked down. Its only over a period of many years that adding sand will help. This is NOT a quick fix. Its about changing the structure of the soil on an existing lawn. I am not going go tear up my lawn and add 100tons of sand. I need to spread out 10 tons, twice a year for the next......well, until I'm happy.. I have done some more research about this and it seems golf course greens keepers have been doing this for ever. On established golf courses, the top 3-4 inches or more is mainly sand and it then blends into the soil beneath. Helps with surface drainage and for levelling bumps.

 

[patrick_g]

Although it would not be nearly as elegant, why not simply use a dump trailer with the gate hinged on top, and the bottom restrained with a chain to control the drop rate.

This would not be nearly as pretty, but depending on how much of this you need to do, you could get away a lot cheaper and end up with a dump trailer to do other things with.

I am thinking of something like one of the two of these:

Pronovost- Dump trailers - Off-road service

or

King Kutter Incorporated

Good luck

Paul, the three side dump was new to me. That is a really slick design. I already have a dump trailer (7x12x2) box on twin axles so won't be buying another.

Thanks for the link.

Pat

 

[jeffinsgf]

Fred,

One key component of improving clay by adding sand is the core aeration step. Core aerate and top dress twice a year, and you'll start making progress.

Also, sand alone is not as effective as sand and compost. I buy fine screened compost from the city of Springfield for $17 a yard. The more the merrier on the compost. I keep buying it until the stitching on my wallet starts screaming.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

This manure spreader design might work with sand and fine mulch.
Newer Spreader - The Manure Spreader that's perfect for smaller horse farms!