Modify Ford/Dearborn spreader for grass seed ?

[bcarwell]

Can somebody tell me if there is a reasonable way to modify a Ford/Dearborn 801 or similar drop fertilizer/lime spreader (with an auger in the bottom of the box) to accomodate smaller grass seed ? There is a "grass seeder attachment" that does this but a) I'd never find one, and b) its pretty involved with a take-off chain/sprocket from the regular drive to drive the seed box. Is there some way to put a board or screen in the regular hopper to limit the amount of seed passing through, etc. ?
BTW I'm trying to seed about 8 acres. A walk behind seeder is impractical and a $2K one intended for bigger acreage is overkill. I've looked at ATV spreaders and broadcast spreaders from Tractor Supply, etc. for $200 - $400 and the reviews make them sound bad for various reasons- flimsy construction, hard to control an even seed spread, etc. I've got a line on an inexpensive 8 foot Ford drop spreader if I could just modify it for grass seed. I actually bought a $200 pull-behind broadcast spreader from Tractor Supply that spreads 8 - 10 feet that I'm returning tomorrow. Sure enough the construction looked flimsy- plastic spreader wheel just waiting to break, a flimsy gear housing of thin cast aluminum that was actually cracked (and looked like it had already been returned), etc.
Can't seem to find one to rent or borrow either - from a feed store, Ag extension office, rental store, etc. I seem to be in no-man's land needing someting bigger than a lawn spreader but smaller than a regular farm implement.
Suggestions ?

Thanks, Bob

 

[HCJtractor]

I have a deere 8' spreader. I know about the seeder box attachment but like you, have never seen one. I would use a regular cone type 3 pt. spreader and I think it would work fine for grass seed. I also have seeded a zillion acres with wheat, oats, rye using a shoulder harness, plastic drum model slinging it by hand. Forgot who makes these. It would take a few hours and some walking, but is doable, especially if you have someone following you with the seed to refill your bin. You can seed as fast as you can walk, cranking it out, spreading about a 15' wide swath. I do like these as you can see your coverage and have lots of control. It would be a workout however.
Running a cultipacker over the seedbed afterwards would also help.

 

[bcarwell]

I have actually seen a picture of the grass seed attachment as a guy has posted the manual for it on the internet (which is how I know its not just a simple thing to add to a regular drop seeder). I actually steered clear of the cone spreader (at least the big ones at Tractor Supply) as I didn't think they would handle small grass seed and might be intended more for lime, fertilizer, and big seeds. If it wasn't set right I could move forward a few feet and dump $300 of grass seed on the ground. I actually considered your suggestion of a hand seeder which I have and may just do that over a few days as I figure I might put in a mile of walking per acre, which I can handle and would be good exerecise and I'd know where the seed was going. My Scotts lawn drop spreader is out since it only spreads 2 feet, but maybe I'd get 8 feet from the hand seeder. I may just buy that Tractor Supply thing again and just get an extended warranty so if the gear box, etc. craps out I'm covered. The ATV smaller cone type spreaders I've read reviews on had problems (like being able to see how much seed you're dropping and it being unreliable) but are tempting. Bottom line is I sure wish I could adapt that 8 foot drop spreader as I could pick it up for around $400.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

If it wasn't set right I could move forward a few feet and dump $300 of grass seed on the ground

The easiest thing to do is mix the grass seed with a "carrier" that adds bulk.

You can use lime, sand or even another larger type of seed.

If you mix just before you spread, you can even use fertilizer