Agrantina
Platinum Member
Any update on your Herd Spreader? Been looking at the same one for clover also and I followed your post, just wondering on how you liked it for clover and fert?
AndyG
Herd Seeder for small seeds
- Thread starter dhall2276
- Start date
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Any update on your Herd Spreader? Been looking at the same one for clover also and I followed your post, just wondering on how you liked it for clover and fert?
AndyG
Wooddust
Silver Member
How can a cosmo spread clover further? The spread width is a function of velocity leaving the spreader plate and the mass of the seed. Is the rpms or the diameter of the cosmo spreader that substantially different from the Herd?
Herd spreaders in my experience set a standard that many of the lower end spreaders cannot equal.
foggy1111
Elite Member
I got my herd seeder mounted on my 4 wheeler. The rheostat that Herd furnished was defective. Called them and they sent out a replacement.....which came just a day late for my needs.....and I had to leave things sit for a week.
Just wired it up today and it seems like it will work quite well now....and should allow me to cast seeds and fertilizer from about 10 feet wide to 30 feet or more. As I "farm" trails in the woods....the rheostat seems like the deal for me.
I still have not used it. I plan to spread some seed and fertilizers within the next 10 days or so.....but right now I don't have a need.
The seeder seems stout and I think I like the little agitator in the hopper. The hopper seems adequate size for my purposes.....but it will be a bag at a time for fertilizer. I will keep my cosmo....just in case the Herd seems too small for a big job (but I doubt it).
I wish I could give you a better report....I was NOT happy when I could not get the seeder working properly out of the box....but that stuff happens.
I did take some pics of my "improvements"....but I cannot do pictures on my laptop. I will do them in a few days when I get to my desktop computer.
Also, it seems like Herd / Kasco could make this easier to assemble and could pre-wire the switches etc. I spent an afternoon putting it together on my bench and trying to understand their wiring and lack of fasteners, etc. Waaaay too many instructions and 3x the needed wires were furnished....which just serves to confuse. Then too....some bolts and wire connectors were not supplied or were "shorted". When a person spends $500+ on an ATV spreader.....you kinda expect these things to be easy. :confused2:
I did put some long bolts at the bottom of the hitch so that I can rest it on the floor when I am not using it. I would think that most guys would want to take it off...and set it down...and the manufacturer could easily furnish a solution. :confused2:
Still....if it slings seed and fertilizer uniformly....then I can forgive 'em.
Just wired it up today and it seems like it will work quite well now....and should allow me to cast seeds and fertilizer from about 10 feet wide to 30 feet or more. As I "farm" trails in the woods....the rheostat seems like the deal for me.
I still have not used it. I plan to spread some seed and fertilizers within the next 10 days or so.....but right now I don't have a need.
The seeder seems stout and I think I like the little agitator in the hopper. The hopper seems adequate size for my purposes.....but it will be a bag at a time for fertilizer. I will keep my cosmo....just in case the Herd seems too small for a big job (but I doubt it).
I wish I could give you a better report....I was NOT happy when I could not get the seeder working properly out of the box....but that stuff happens.
I did take some pics of my "improvements"....but I cannot do pictures on my laptop. I will do them in a few days when I get to my desktop computer.
Also, it seems like Herd / Kasco could make this easier to assemble and could pre-wire the switches etc. I spent an afternoon putting it together on my bench and trying to understand their wiring and lack of fasteners, etc. Waaaay too many instructions and 3x the needed wires were furnished....which just serves to confuse. Then too....some bolts and wire connectors were not supplied or were "shorted". When a person spends $500+ on an ATV spreader.....you kinda expect these things to be easy. :confused2:
I did put some long bolts at the bottom of the hitch so that I can rest it on the floor when I am not using it. I would think that most guys would want to take it off...and set it down...and the manufacturer could easily furnish a solution. :confused2:
Still....if it slings seed and fertilizer uniformly....then I can forgive 'em.
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foggy1111
Elite Member
I have already done my brasica and really dont plan to spread clover until later this fall. My immedeate needs are mostly rye, oats and fertilizer....and I was going to do some late red and possibly white clover for spring.
But maybe on Wed I could throw a few lbs of red clover in the hopper and see how it performs.....and write a bit more for you. Kinda would like to do a shake down anyway.
It sure looks like you can adjust it quite fine and with the rheostat I have lots of control on the spinner. I would expect that it will work very well....as it has for others on clover. :thumbsup:
Agrantina
Platinum Member
Thanks for the update- well at least what you can give. AND thanks for being honest about the packing and items.. I have a solo and plan on using it for my white and red clover for now. I have tried 3pt regular spreaders and they are fine for wheat, oats, rye and winter peas, but just cannt get them to sling clover- red or white very well. The solo works good but then again I got $20k in a tractor and equ and I am trying NOT to break an ankle spreading seed!.. Kindaaa doesnt make sense some times. Not got a huge budget but I dont want to buy a regular spreader that only spreads large seed and fert, either.. Right now I have a small home made spreader (old feeder) that we use to spread large stuff but its really not very good, motor turns WAY to fast.The Herd seems to fill both needs for me. I too like the idea of the ATV spreader or for me the UTV one. I can rototill and cultipack with the 3pt equ. and spread seed with the UTV and get it all on the trailer at one time and in one day. What a site to see -- 20ft trailer, Kubota with tiller, Kawasaki 610 sideways on the trailer, and boom ploe and cultipacker in the back of the truck! No room for a large 3pt spreader!! LoL.. Please keep me updated on how well it works. It sounds like what I want too...
AndyG
foggy1111
Elite Member
Well.....I gave the seeder a test run today before going back home.
I mounted the switch and rheostat on the left frame so that I can reach them from the seat of the 4 wheeler with one hand on the throttle. This way....everything stays self-contained. I can also reach the flow shut off. I have a small battery I use for my sprayer...and I will also use it for this spreader.
I put a few lbs of red clover in the hopper. This is about the smallest seed size I typically use and is similar to my brassica seeds in size. Seeds like this are normally applied at about 4 to 10 lbs per acre. I have the rheostat in order to narrow the spread for use on my trails and smaller plots which may vari from 12 feet wide to feild widths. The optional small seed plate may prove to be of value for trail use....and I may call Herd about this plate. Or else.....I am going to have to speed down the trails to get the proper amount put down? I like to drive in low range at about 4 MPH for seed and fertilizer.
I adjusted the seed opening to about 1/8" (see pic of hopper bottom) and after some adjustments I was able to sling seed evenly both to the left and right. This required me moving the seed plate to about the "g" setting and was just a bit of trial and error to set up.
I found the rheostat will allow me to spread the clover from a minimum of about 10/12 feet to a max of about 32 feet (as measured with a tape). So.....every numeral change in the rheostat dial (from 1 to 10) equals about 2 feet in spread width. The L to R spread did not seem to be affected by the spinner speed settings of the rheostat.
The spinner rpm setting, ground speed, and seed plate opening, all need to be factored into your seed rate / acre. Once I get things dialed in.....it should be easy to replicate....I hope.
I ended up putting quite a bit of red clover in a small area while setting up. I think I will use some kitty litter to set up the spreader for fertilizer and for grains (rye/oats/wheat). Or maybe some low-cost grass seed....as I have an area to get seeded in grass too.
It seems like I should have all the needed features to sling seed and fertilizers evenly across my plots. The agitator seems to work well on seed and I am hopeful it does the same on fertilizer. I was a little disappointed that a pound or so of seed lays on the "floor" of the hopper as the flow becomes erratic near the end. (but then I'm critical?)
Note the longer bolts in the first pic....this allows me to remove the spreader and rest it on these bolts....rather than the motor. I had to use carriage screws as bolts didn't have enough thread to permit use....therefore I could not use stainless.
Heres some pics.
I mounted the switch and rheostat on the left frame so that I can reach them from the seat of the 4 wheeler with one hand on the throttle. This way....everything stays self-contained. I can also reach the flow shut off. I have a small battery I use for my sprayer...and I will also use it for this spreader.
I put a few lbs of red clover in the hopper. This is about the smallest seed size I typically use and is similar to my brassica seeds in size. Seeds like this are normally applied at about 4 to 10 lbs per acre. I have the rheostat in order to narrow the spread for use on my trails and smaller plots which may vari from 12 feet wide to feild widths. The optional small seed plate may prove to be of value for trail use....and I may call Herd about this plate. Or else.....I am going to have to speed down the trails to get the proper amount put down?
I like to drive in low range at about 4 MPH for seed and fertilizer. I adjusted the seed opening to about 1/8" (see pic of hopper bottom) and after some adjustments I was able to sling seed evenly both to the left and right. This required me moving the seed plate to about the "g" setting and was just a bit of trial and error to set up.
I found the rheostat will allow me to spread the clover from a minimum of about 10/12 feet to a max of about 32 feet (as measured with a tape). So.....every numeral change in the rheostat dial (from 1 to 10) equals about 2 feet in spread width. The L to R spread did not seem to be affected by the spinner speed settings of the rheostat.
The spinner rpm setting, ground speed, and seed plate opening, all need to be factored into your seed rate / acre. Once I get things dialed in.....it should be easy to replicate....I hope.
I ended up putting quite a bit of red clover in a small area while setting up. I think I will use some kitty litter to set up the spreader for fertilizer and for grains (rye/oats/wheat). Or maybe some low-cost grass seed....as I have an area to get seeded in grass too.
It seems like I should have all the needed features to sling seed and fertilizers evenly across my plots. The agitator seems to work well on seed and I am hopeful it does the same on fertilizer. I was a little disappointed that a pound or so of seed lays on the "floor" of the hopper as the flow becomes erratic near the end. (but then I'm critical?
) Note the longer bolts in the first pic....this allows me to remove the spreader and rest it on these bolts....rather than the motor. I had to use carriage screws as bolts didn't have enough thread to permit use....therefore I could not use stainless.
Heres some pics.
Attachments
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Agrantina
Platinum Member
Looks really good... I notice that a guy on the QDMA forum looks alot like you in the pic! I follow this forum and that one- Love me some food plots and seat time! Good to see a plotter and tractor lover on both... Agrantina is my user on both...
Wonder how it will set up in the bed of a Kawasaki mule? They sell a kit for the mule but wonder if it comes with enough wire to get the controls up to the driver?? I may be about 2 feet further away than you are on the ATV... Whats your thought on the mounting in the bed? I actual already have an extra battery mounted in the bed of the mule so thats no problem..
AndyG
I follow this forum and that one- Love me some food plots and seat time! Good to see a plotter and tractor lover on both... Agrantina is my user on both...Wonder how it will set up in the bed of a Kawasaki mule? They sell a kit for the mule but wonder if it comes with enough wire to get the controls up to the driver?? I may be about 2 feet further away than you are on the ATV... Whats your thought on the mounting in the bed? I actual already have an extra battery mounted in the bed of the mule so thats no problem..
AndyG
foggy1111
Elite Member
Looks really good... I notice that a guy on the QDMA forum looks alot like you in the pic!
Wonder how it will set up in the bed of a Kawasaki mule? They sell a kit for the mule but wonder if it comes with enough wire to get the controls up to the driver?? I may be about 2 feet further away than you are on the ATV... Whats your thought on the mounting in the bed? I actual already have an extra battery mounted in the bed of the mule so thats no problem..
AndyG
I have the Kawa kit. I considered mounting this on the bed of my golf cart...but like the maneuverability of the 4 wheeler better.....AND I have a digital speedometer to monitor my speed. You may have to remove your tailgate.....but I dont see any problems with mounting it as you suggest - it should work just fine on any UTV / ATV / Golf Cart with these brackets.
WIRE?.....he!!....I coulda wired a small house with the excess wire they sent me. One complaint I have is that they sent 3x the wire needed for the job (and no wire connectors ??)....and just served to confuse me. The Herd wires up real simple....but following their instructions is questionable. You can always add some wire to get to a battery.
One thing you will want to consider is where to mount your switches and how to shut-off the seed flow. I doubt you can reach the seed flow from the seat....so maybe a rope with a spring return may be needed. (I think they offer a kit like this) Else-wise....you can always run back there and pull the lever?
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Agrantina
Platinum Member
Well thats good to know that I am looking at the Kaw kit, I was wondering what it looked like...Thanks!... If I can get the switch closer I would be in good shape to be able to run it out of the Mule. My son (13) can be the one to open and close the seed gate, but I might be able to get a bracket and longer handle- or I can make something.. Well thanks again for all your pics and info it really helps when someone post and has PICTURES!
AndyG
AndyG
ronsspas
New member
Foggy1111,
Are you still happy with your Herd 77 spreader? I'm thinking about buying one soon. I'll be just using it mainly for lawn fertilizer & possibly brome grass seed.
ronsspas
Are you still happy with your Herd 77 spreader? I'm thinking about buying one soon. I'll be just using it mainly for lawn fertilizer & possibly brome grass seed.
ronsspas
