Buying Advice Landscape uses and limitations

[jenkinsph]

I think you were on the right track with a manure spreader Carl. I have a small one on my list of things to buy too.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Chuck,

Looks like you have last years leaves composting in one pile then loam and another aged compost pile there. I do the same with an active pile and a composting one.

Every year I collect 20+ yards of leaves in Oct/Nov sprinkle with a little 10/10/10 and lime and turn every few weeks. By this time of year its great material for top dressing the yard mixed with a little loam.

Been looking for a small manure spreader to use to top dress - saw one on ebay and CL but didnt get it.. Now looking to build a spreader. I looked on line and seems $1000 is the asking price or more, and then old spreaders that are large are too big..

Have you or does anyone have ideas/built a compost spreader to evenly spread it out? The FEL drops clumps then need to rake in and its not uniform.

Carl

The piles in my pictures are all compost in various stages. The compost is made up of mostly leaves, and not enough grass or nutrient rich stuff so it is just organic matter, and doesn't help things grow much. Still it has done wonders for my soil, and it is great to have enough to spread it inches thick over the whole garden in the fall.

 

[SI2305]

OK, here are the pics in action

SI2305

 

[lost in wisconsin]

SI2305

Might I ask where you acquired the tines for your harrow.


Thank you

 

[Robert_in_NY]

SI2305

Might I ask where you acquired the tines for your harrow.


Thank you

They look similar to tines from a tedder. TSC sells an assortment of tines for rakes, balers and tedders that can be of use for projects like this one.

 

[kude]

Wouldn't a pull behind lawn sweeper do the job? You can rake and collect and then take it to the patch for spreading with a fork.

This is what I got without the John Deere label, it is a Brinley: Buy a John Deere 42 In. Tow Behind Lawn Sweeper (STS-42JD) from The Home Depot

 

[modyinnh]

I guess I'll bump this thread up to the top: Would a landscape rake work for piles of horse manure? I'm not talking about the little individual piles spread around the paddock. Those are easy enough to pick up with a manure fork and a wheel barrow. We have 3 horses and each tends to find a favorite corner where the piles tend to build up and would like another excuse to buy another implement and spend more time on the tractor. Any suggestions?
Paul

 

[Carl_NH]

I think you were on the right track with a manure spreader Carl. I have a small one on my list of things to buy too.

Jenkinsph,

Well I found my manure spreader finally - $500 and its a Fuerst 200 series in like new condition.

I've been top dressing areas in the lawn with compost dropping piles from the FEL - a time consuming process, then raking it in and what a difference - the grass loves the compost. So I can now top dress and spread it much faster and use less fertilizer.

On your question modyinnh, a landscape rake would spread the piles out but a drag of chain link fence and a heavy chain would be better in my opinion.

Carl

 

[jenkinsph]

Jenkinsph,

Well I found my manure spreader finally - $500 and its a Fuerst 200 series in like new condition.

I've been top dressing areas in the lawn with compost dropping piles from the FEL - a time consuming process, then raking it in and what a difference - the grass loves the compost. So I can now top dress and spread it much faster and use less fertilizer.

On your question modyinnh, a landscape rake would spread the piles out but a drag of chain link fence and a heavy chain would be better in my opinion.

Carl

I have started a large compost pile for top dressing and am using the fel to turn it. I need to start looking in earnest for a manure spreader too. Glad yours is working out for you Carl.

 

[Wolfman]

Thanks everyone for such a great thread. I had never known how useful a pine straw rake could be (or what I would even use one for since I don't have any pine straws!). This was exactly what I have been looking for - but never knew the correct implement that I would need.

jenkinsph, thanks for all of your suggestions!