Need to Spread Lime - What's the Best Way

[buckeye]

Need to Spread Lime - What\'s the Best Way

Well,

I went and tested my soil and confirmed what I was worried about. My soil is pretty acidic and is in need of line. 2.5 tons/acres from what the soil test indicated. I have 4-5 acres of grass and field I would like to spread.

I was thinking of going to the local rental shop and getting a 3-pt. spreader to put on my TC40. I would get pelletized lime and spread accordingly. My questions are:

1.) Is this the best way to DIY?

2.) Is is hard to get the setting right on the spreader? Is there information on this at TBN that someone could direct me to?

3.) Any other ideas? I am open. Thanks.

 

[5030]

Re: Need to Spread Lime - What\'s the Best Way

Buckeye:

The easiest and least expensive way would be to go to your local elevator (I presume that you live in the country) (if you don't, go to the local elevator anyway) and get a fertilizer cart.

You have a TC40D. I have a 5030 Kubota. While my Kubota is a little bigger than your NH, your NH will handle a cart loaded with a ton or ton and one half of lime.

Actually what I'd do is send a soil sample to OSU, extension services and let them analyize it for you. If you are sure you need lime, get a cart load. Hook up your pto and adjust the gate on the rear of the cart according to the chart on the back, right above the gate. You will need a ruler to measure the opening. Then just engage the pto and spread.

Most elevators will rent a cart for $5.00 per day. Between a load or 2 of lime and that cart, you should'nt be in over $200.00. I'm not familiar with you soil there or your intended end use, but if you are going to pasture animals on the grass, have the elevator put in a dash of Boron, about 1/2 pound to the ton. The grass will really take off with that.

I didn't notice the "Go Bucks" in your signature.

How about "Go Spartans" instead. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[5030]

Re: Need to Spread Lime - What\'s the Best Way

I forgot to add that pelletized lime is convenient but not practical for a large area. It's fine for a 12x12 garden but way too expensive for any acreage.

Get the cart, the lime or whatever and feel like a "farmer"!!

 

[hazmat]

Re: Need to Spread Lime - What\'s the Best Way

As Daryl said, the pelletized lime is easy to use in a spreader, but pricey. I just paid ~$90 for qty (22) 50 # bags = $4 per bag. I live in Mass. There aren't any co-ops around that I could find to buy lime in bulk, so I don't have any other options.

Here's the math for you - 40 bags / ton = $160 per ton of lime. Now 2.5 tons / acre * 5 acres = 12.5 tons * $160 = $2,000 /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif Ouch!

 

[Soundguy]

Re: Need to Spread Lime - What\'s the Best Way

I love to work with my tractor... but we just can't do everything with them.. sometimes a specialized piece of equipment is needed.

At 2.5 tons per acre.. and 4-5 acres... we ar talking about over10 tons of lime...

Peletized is more concentrated.. and spreads well from a 3pt spreader.. but will take you a while, and cost an arm and a leg.

Hi-cal powdered lime is cheapcheapcheap, and doesn't broadcast worth a hoot in anything less than a large well agitated hi volume spreader truck or broadcast rig.

Call your local fertalizer / feed dealer... like a seminoles if you have one.... they usually have a spreader service... they will send out a spreader truck.. do the job in 30 minutes and be gone for a few hundred dollars...

It is either that or get a cheap spreader and pay alot fo rthe peletized lime.. or get a mucho pricy spreader ( probably the same price as the entire service.. ) and buy the cheap lime... both these ways will take a couple weekends, so be ready.

Soundguy

 

[poorboy]

Re: Need to Spread Lime - What\'s the Best Way

Buckeye, you could probably contact a local feedstore, or your county exentsion agent and they will set you up with a person who will haul and spread it for you. Here the price was 12.50 a ton. Depends on distance and material cost. This is not a cost effective DIY project in this area. For fertilize the buggiess really work for me. Pull in hookup and spread rehook go get more.

Get it put on this fall so it can melt up for the spring, especially now that it's dry. You would be suprised how easy these guy's can sink up.


Patrick

 

[Slamfire]

Re: Need to Spread Lime - What\'s the Best Way

I noticed a sign on the door at the local co-op, that said, now is the time to add lime, $xx per ton, spread. That sounds like the way to do it to me. Of course if you want seat time.....

 

[stmiller2]

Re: Need to Spread Lime - What\'s the Best Way

I just had some lime custom spread -- the cost for the lime & speading was $27/ton.

 

[valkman]

Re: Need to Spread Lime - What\'s the Best Way

Jeepers, 12.50 at ton, 27$ a ton -EVERYTHING in the Northeast is 3 times as much /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif. I am having a the spreader come up to do my 3.5 acres. One outfit wanted 60$ a ton spread, I found another guy was $38 with spreader but I had to pick up the spreader 45 minutes a way and do it my self. Settled on an outfit that was $45 a ton. I need 3 tons, but they only recommend 2 tons at one time.

Valkman

 

[PaulT]

Re: Need to Spread Lime - What\'s the Best Way

Since I don't have much experience here, but needed to add lime, I asked for advice as well. One guy told me to spread no more than 1 ton/acre/season, since that is about all the soil can "metabolize" per season. You will need to adjust the pH gradually. You can put more on, of course, but the advice I heard was that it would only wash away, and you would have to do it again next year, anyway.

Can anyone else confirm or deny this advice?

Thanks,