LIME SPREADER FOR FOOD PLOTS

Farmwithjunk · Jan 6, 2006

Here's an idea. Take a look at the Ferguson "Yardmaker" seeder/spreader. A cousin of mine bought one last spring. I've used it a couple times to spread fertilizer. It's essentially a drop spreader that's driven by a spike-tooth roller/aerifier that's mounted behind the seeder portion. They come in 4', 5', 6', 7', and 8' widths, both pull-type and 3-point. John bought his at Sweet Equipment, who advertises here on TBN. The one I used is a 7', 3-point model. It spreads lime, fertilizer, and grass seed (or any small seed I guess) It would be excellent for seeding food plots as well as spreading lime. The drop spreader part is very much like the old E-Z Flow spreaders in the way it works.

flINTLOCK · Jan 6, 2006

Spreader can be pulled by tractor or ATV. Very solid construction. Big tires roll easily, even on rough ground. Although I don't know how to post a link to their website, if you Google "GROUNDBUSTER", it will get you there. Good luck

Robert_in_NY · Jan 6, 2006

Is this it? Ground Buster page

If so this is a lot like the E-Z Flow spreaders that I was talking about.

MarkV · Jan 6, 2006

Looks like a nice spreader but for $2100 I would need to spread a lot of lime to make up the difference between lime cost. Thanks for the info though, I would like a spreader that would work pulverized lime.

MarkV

Robert_in_NY · Jan 6, 2006

Look for an old E-Z Flow. You should be able to buy one for $100 in good shape. If you find one at an auction it might go cheaper.

flINTLOCK · Jan 6, 2006

With the difference between the cost of pulverized and pelletized lime in our area being over $1 a 50 lb bag, it will take us about 50 tons to recoup the cost of the spreader. At the rate we are establishing plots, that should take about 4 years or so. And that doesn't count the cost of a broadcast spreader. I wish I had been able to locate the used equipment that seems to be available everywhere but northeast Pa. I could have saved enough to buy a used tractor.

flINTLOCK · Jan 6, 2006

Robert in New York, thanks for the picture that I could not come up with. Some of the guys in my camp are thinking of hiring out the spreader to neighboring hunting clubs that are putting in food plots. Since the local Agway wanted $ 1200 to spread 4 tons for us, we should be able to pay it off a lot sooner.

nobull1 · Jan 6, 2006

Here is a pic of a drop spreader that I used last summer to spread 35 ton on 10 acres. There are still a few around for a reasonable price at auctions and farm sales. Although I used my tractor last year I have spread lime with this spreader with my Honda 300 4 wheeler in the past.

Robert_in_NY · Jan 7, 2006

If you were in North West PA you would have found a lot of the EZ flow spreaders near Lake Erie. You just chose the wrong side of PA to live /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

It happens to all of us, when you really want something you can't find what you want for the price you want. After you pay top dollar for a new unit you find them all over the place for a lot less.

As for renting the machine out, just remember, other people don't always treat equipment well. They don't own it and have no incentive to be careful. We only let trusted friends use any of our equipment. Others we will run our equipment for them and help them that way. Good luck though no matter which way you go.