Herd M-96

[Loogie]

I received my Herd M-96 seeder/spreader the other day and finally got to use it today.

It is a very well constructed unit. It came in two boxes. One for the main unit and one for the PTO shaft and 3PH attachment. I had to cut down the PTO shaft in order for it to fit. I took 2" off of each side. After that, it took about 15 minutes to assemble.

Herd said that it was not iMatch compatible and I can verify that. The lift pins are the proper width for a quick hitch, but the top link is way too high. I will mod it in the coming weeks to accept the iMatch.

It worked great. It was easy to set up too. For my application, I computed that I needed a 3/8" opening. The handle was pretty easy to reach from the seat and filling it was no problem at all with the hitch all the way down. I filled it with two 50lb bags of fertilizer and it looked like it could probably take another 1/2 a bag. I could add the hopper extension, but then it would be even harder to see into the hopper to determine the level.

A complete parts list is included and a complete price list for those parts is available on their website. I really liked that I could replace anything that wears out. There are grease zerks all of the this thing too so keeping it running smoothly shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Glowplug]

That looks good! What PTO RPM speed do you run that at?

 

[Loogie]

It runs at a standard 540rpm. The manual says not to run it at less, but I imagine that you could use your discretion there. I was getting about 20' wide (total) distribution at that setting.

 

[gsganzer]

I bought one a few weeks ago and have used it to spread rye grass. The settings were very accurate, I threw nearly the exact amount of seed it said on the chart for my 3 acre pasture.

One of the things I did to mine:
The owners manual says that if you plan to spread fertilizer with it, then you should wipe some grease into the inside joint between the hopper and the bottom casting to help minimize corrosion. You can see the joint I'm referring to in your photo of the inside of the hopper. I had a tube of clear, pure silicone caulk laying around, so I caulked that inside joint instead. I'll see how that works.

 

[LoneCowboy]

I love my Herd spreader, I'll be buying nothing else but as I replace others or get bigger.
Top of the line IMHO

 

[Loogie]

I had a tube of clear, pure silicone caulk laying around, so I caulked that inside joint instead. I'll see how that works.

I did the same thing. I agree that the settings are dead accurate. I had to interpolate from their 5/8" setting for fertilizer based on the amount/acre and it worked out perfectly.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

I made some modifications on my unit, see attachment. Arrow 1, I drilled a hole in the bottom to let water drain when I clean the unit. Arrow 2, I could not get my grease gun onto the fitting, so I added 2 washers to the bolts, #3 arrow, grease gun slides on no problem now.

Other then these few changes it works great! I use it for fertilize the lawn 2-3 times a year. I always have some fertilizer that does not get to the bottom gate. So I just take the top link off and dump it out by pivoting on the bottom 2 points. The PTO shaft does come off when this happens. BUT I am done at this point and it has to come off anyway. I blow air from a leaf blower to get most of the dust off the unit and tractor. I then use a hose to get all the remaining dust off. I then use the leaf blower to blow all the water off the unit, grease it and I am ready for next use.

I set the gate at half the recommended opening and go over the lawn in one direction and then go over the same area in the opposite direction to over lap the 1st pass. This way I do not get funny green strips on my lawn where I missed.

 

[Loogie]

I made some modifications on my unit, see attachment. Arrow 1, I drilled a hole in the bottom to let water drain when I clean the unit. Arrow 2, I could not get my grease gun onto the fitting, so I added 2 washers to the bolts, #3 arrow, grease gun slides on no problem now.

Other then these few changes it works great! I use it for fertilize the lawn 2-3 times a year. I always have some fertilizer that does not get to the bottom gate. So I just take the top link off and dump it out by pivoting on the bottom 2 points. The PTO shaft does come off when this happens. BUT I am done at this point and it has to come off anyway. I blow air from a leaf blower to get most of the dust off the unit and tractor. I then use a hose to get all the remaining dust off. I then use the leaf blower to blow all the water off the unit, grease it and I am ready for next use.

I set the gate at half the recommended opening and go over the lawn in one direction and then go over the same area in the opposite direction to over lap the 1st pass. This way I do not get funny green strips on my lawn where I missed.

My grease gun fit in there without the mods, but I like the idea of the drain hole. The funny thing is that I did everything else exactly the same as you - same cleaning routine with the leaf blower and everything!!

Some people had mentioned that the throw seemed to be more to one side than the other, but I didn't notice it.

I'm going to mount some kind or prop-up stand on the back side of the base, then it will sit up nicely all on it's own.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Loo,

I made a dolly with stand so the M96 stands up when not in use, see attached pictures.

 

[Loogie]

Great idea. I'll think I'll just mod my dolly too. That's much easier than mod'ing the spreader. Thanks!