Spreader Fertilizer Spreader 3pt hitch type

[snohobigdad]

Hi, I am in a bit of a quandary. I don't mind spending money on the right tool for the job, as long it will last. I have a JD2305 that I use for my mowing work around the house. I have pull behind spreader that does leave something to be desired.

I have been trying to research the 3pt hitch type over the past week without much luck. The Countyline brand at Tractor Supply looks like it will fail quickly. They want $500 and change. JD sells the Frontier and Rankin brands. Frontier is a metal hopper an the Rankin is plastic. Both of these are in the mid $800 range. Does anyone here have any experience with these two? Positive and less than positive feedback is appreciated. I will spend the extra buck because the dealer is a mile from our home.

Lastly, if not these two options, what are you using and do you recommend them? I can do tow behind, but it seems to struggle across uneven and sloping areas.

Thanks for your time and expertise!

Jim

 

[rustyshakelford]

I have a red one. Don't remember the brand but it's metal. I would recommend plastic. Fertilizer is some nasty stuff. Also, I set it according to the chart for Bermuda seen. It spread $250 worth of seed in one acre. Should've been enough for 5. Ended up driving into town to lowes and getting play sand for the rest of the seed bags. I've let someone borrow it for the last year or two and honestly I don't want it back. I also didn't scrub my tractor down after spreading fertilizer and the adjustable link for the 3pt on the left side ended up being rusted solid very quickly after that. Right side was fine but it didn't get the stuff on it

For seed, I'm looking for an old Deere drill

Brett

 

[snohobigdad]

Thanks Rusty. Over and over I hear wash everything well or it rusts.

 

[smstonypoint]

I don't have one yet, but I am considering the purchase of a Kubota spreader: http://www.kubota.com/product/Spreaders/VSModels.aspx?. The one I saw at my local dealer looked like it was a notch above the other spreaders I have seen.

Steve

 

[rustyshakelford]

Thanks Rusty. Over and over I hear wash everything well or it rusts.

Very good advise. I had never used this smaller stuff before and should've known better. Growing up we pulled anhydrous ammonia behind the sweeps and had big pull cart trailers for the granular.

Brett

 

[snohobigdad]

Steve,
What did you see about it that lead you to believe that it was quality? I was also impressed with the Frontier, which was the metal one. It appeared to have good fit and finish. I am just unsure. The salesman said that others in the area have them. I will see if I can find a current owner who has had it for a season or two

 

[Gator6x4]

Fertilizer Distributors and tractors need to be washed after each use of spreading fertilizer, lime etc. Agri Supply will sell you a three point Distributor from the cheap to "O" my God are they asking that for something to spread fertilizer with. Fertilizer Spreader, Cosmo Spreader, 3-Point Spreader, Poly Spreader

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I have 2 with metal hoppers one of them was wore out when I got it but still works good to this day, the other one is I believe an EZ spread and it works good as well, but I have always been a firm believer of washing it and my tractor down good after spreading fertilizer and I spray a little WD-40 in the bottom of the spreader and on the adjustment gate and it's always good to go when I need it. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of the cheaper ones instead of top of the line name brand , it's not like it's going to get used weekly and with just a little clean-up after use it will last you many years.

 

[RjCorazza]

I have a Befco spreader with a metal hopper that has held up well over the years. Other Frontier implements I have seen appear to be well made. I went with the Befco mostly because my finish mower was a Befco and it is very well made.

 

[snohobigdad]

Thank you so much. All good input. I am not seeing any big advocating for a plastic tub. Just wash it down, along with each usage.

 

[bspeedy]

I have a metal one I bought second hand. I re-painted it with enamel and truck bed liner on the disc vanes and wear areas at bottom of hopper. It has held up pretty well. I clean everything really well when done spreading and touch up paint when the water dries. Everything I own lives indoors. This spreader should last my lifetime as I only use it 2-3 times per year.

 

[rgr33]

I have a metal spin spreader I bought used for $75, it was rusted up and the disc was frozen when I bought it. I like rehabbing implements, so I put some time and effort into bringing it back to life. I still have it 8 years later, but only use it for seeding cover crops.

I ended up buying a new poly spreader with remote control and fertilizer banding option. After using both, There is no doubt in my mind that poly spreaders are the way to go. I find it difficult to get every little seam or nook and cranny 100% clean every time. Every couple of years the metal spreader needed rework. So far, the poly spreader has held up well, with only a good cleaning after each use.

 

[gsganzer]

Here's my take. I own a Herd M96 and recently bought a Landpride V-cone with poly hopper and stainless impeller, gates etc. If you buy a V-cone, definitely get the poly hopper and stainless impeller, gates etc. Regardless, when you're done spreading, wash everything out and then coat it with diesel (spray bottle or a small garden sprayer),

All that being said. See if you can use a 3-point sprayer instead. You have a ton more versatility, pesticide, herbicide, fertilizer. I need to do some more checking, but I think you can get bulk liquid fertilizer a lot cheaper than granules.

Just me :2cents:

 

[Big Barn]

I recently sold my Vicon pendulum spreader to my neighbour for a spare. They have poly hoppers and mine had a capacity of over 0ne metric tonne (2200 pounds).


Vicon SuperFlow 64-1654 / Rear Mounted Pendulum Spreaders / Fertiliser Spreaders / Spreading Equipment / Vicon brand Corporate site / Home - Vicon International



To give you an idea of its longevity here's a brief timeline:

Purchased new in 1980. Aprx cost $1250 CDN

Converted to category 2 AND 3 JD quick hitch


Rinsed out THOROUGHLY after EACH use/ metal parts coated with diesel end of each season.

Spinner mechanism rebuilt and bearings replaced aprx 1998

Spreader "spout" replaced 3 or 4 times. (Aprx $200 each)

Retired when I did. 2009.

SOLD last month for $1200. (Replacement cost locally almost $5000 CDN. )

Terry

 

[FTG-05]

I too am in the market for a 3ph spreader; mostly for seed for deer plots. I quickly ruled out the TSC/Countyline version due to awful reviews on TSC.

I think I'm just going to wait for a good deal on a Cosmos unit from Craigslist.

Thanks,

 

[EdwardB]

I just ordered this one. Looks like a quality unit + free shipping.

Agrex Tractor PTO Fertilizer Spreader XA500

 

[fishheadbob]

I had a cheap metal one from TSC for a maybe 6 years, didn't use it much. Can't remember the name but it was an Italian brand. It held together pretty well until I let my buddy borrow it. After a lot of penetrating oil, WD40, and bloody knuckles I was able to get it back into running order so I dumped it for what I paid originally as the price had about doubled.
Meanwhile my crops need fertilizer so after a few years I went on the lookout for a better quality spreader, wound up finding a poly tub, pendulum style Vicon in excellent condition for $1200. Not new by any means, but mostly sat in the owners shed greased and covered. Its' appearance and performance were consistent with very little use. Performs flawlessly. I hope to use it for a few more years then get my $1200 back since this model stickers new over $4000.
With any of these spreaders cheap or expensive 2 things stand out. 1. You must keep them very clean, and 2. use a much lower application chart than the manual suggests. Maybe you have to make 2 trips instead of one but I think that's better than too heavy a rate.

 

[sweettractors]

We stock the Tar River brand spreaders and can be seen in the link below. Ken Sweet
New Tar River SSS-3 3 pt. Spreader/Seeder --Can ship fast and cheap! | eBay

We also have a few on the "Hollow" pull type spreaders in stock. Ken Sweet
New Hollow SP15 Pull Type Spreader/Seeder --Can ship cheap! Just ask! | eBay

 

[dodge man]

I was in the same boat. I had a tow behind but kept bending axles on my rough yard, it sucked. I just bought one about a month ago at the local farm store. I suspect its almost the same as what tractor supply offers. I have a similar tractor also, a BX2350 and it looks huge on my tractor. They make an identical unit but with a plastic bin that is smaller. Other than it "looking" to big for my tractor, it works great. It will probably last a long time if I take care of it, it cost about $525.

One thing, I have moles real bad and bought some bug killer to spread on the lawn. It was a very light powder. It spread not so great, it was to fine of a material although in the end I think it did the job. The grains of fetilizer spread really good though.

 

[wngsprd]

I bought the Cosmos 500 metal hopper about 12 years ago and it still works great...used it for fertilizer, pelletized lime, larger seeds (sunflowers, soybeans, buckwheat, peas, sorghum, and mixes) and wash it thoroughly after each use. If I'm planting smaller seeds, which are often more expensive, like clover and chicory, I'll use a cheap plastic hand spreader and get good exercise walking my food plots, including one that is two acres...the hand spreader will throw out about 15 feet, so doesn't take too many laps walking, just lots of refills.