Manure Spreader for Topsoil or Mushroom soil???

[rixtory]

OK Tractor Gods out there. I have 4.5 acres of land and a lot of clay with little topsoil. I'd like to get a dozen truckloads of topsoil and spread it lightly, but I don't have any implement to do such a thing with my Kubota BX2200. Can a manure spreader work? or should I use something else. I would like to spread about 1/2"-1" and then mow to help spread the clumps out.
Any thoughts?
I see TSC has a small chain (wheel) drive for $1500.
Thanks
Rick

 

[rixtory]

OK Tractor Gods out there. I have 4.5 acres of land and a lot of clay with little topsoil. I'd like to get a dozen truckloads of topsoil and spread it lightly, but I don't have any implement to do such a thing with my Kubota BX2200. Can a manure spreader work? or should I use something else. I would like to spread about 1/2"-1" and then mow to help spread the clumps out.
Any thoughts?
I see TSC has a small chain (wheel) drive for $1500.
Thanks
Rick

 

[dubba]

You would be better off with a dozen truckloads of manure...

 

[dubba]

You would be better off with a dozen truckloads of manure...

 

[jeffinsgf]

What you're looking for is called a "topdresser".

Here's a pic from Turfco's website:

I have an older one of these that I bought on eBay and rebuilt. It does a fantastic job of spreading a perfectly even layer of whatever you put in the hopper. They're very expensive new. The target market is golf courses that are going to do hundreds of acres several times a year. If you can find a used one, it would be an ideal implement for your chore.

My second choice would be an Earth & Turf MultiSpread. They have several sizes available. For about 500 more than a compact manure spreader you can get a machine that is designed to handle smaller particle material and spread in thinner layers. If I had not found my Turfco on eBay, this is what I would own.

See if you can find a source for bulk compost, instead of topsoil. You'll build up your soil and improve your plant growth faster and they should be about the same price. Our city sells bulk compost made from lawn clippings and the coffee grounds from all the cities coffee shops. I spread a quarter inch of that and an eight inch of sharp sand after core aerating my yard. It has made an amazing improvement.

 

[jeffinsgf]

What you're looking for is called a "topdresser".

Here's a pic from Turfco's website:

I have an older one of these that I bought on eBay and rebuilt. It does a fantastic job of spreading a perfectly even layer of whatever you put in the hopper. They're very expensive new. The target market is golf courses that are going to do hundreds of acres several times a year. If you can find a used one, it would be an ideal implement for your chore.

My second choice would be an Earth & Turf MultiSpread. They have several sizes available. For about 500 more than a compact manure spreader you can get a machine that is designed to handle smaller particle material and spread in thinner layers. If I had not found my Turfco on eBay, this is what I would own.

See if you can find a source for bulk compost, instead of topsoil. You'll build up your soil and improve your plant growth faster and they should be about the same price. Our city sells bulk compost made from lawn clippings and the coffee grounds from all the cities coffee shops. I spread a quarter inch of that and an eight inch of sharp sand after core aerating my yard. It has made an amazing improvement.

 

[LAXPatrick]

Poo spreaders don't do a stellar job of evenly dispersing. I've had decent results by spreading manure or compost over soil and then dragging with a spike harrow section to get it even and smoothed out. After a couple of passes, it gets pretty dispersed and smooth.

LAXPatrick

 

[LAXPatrick]

Poo spreaders don't do a stellar job of evenly dispersing. I've had decent results by spreading manure or compost over soil and then dragging with a spike harrow section to get it even and smoothed out. After a couple of passes, it gets pretty dispersed and smooth.

LAXPatrick