Newbie needs help!

Ovranalyzr · Mar 15, 2007

Hello All!

This is my first post, so I apologize for this being a simple/stupid question. My wife and I purchased almost 6 acres of land last summer out in the country. We absolutely love it! We are definite animal lovers with 3 dogs, 1 horse, and 1 donkey. Sorry for the short intro, but now to my question.

I have since purchased a small tractor to help take care of the place. I have a Mitsubishi 1500 which is an 18hp diesel. I have several implements already thanks to all the advise from this forum. What I need now is a fertilizer spreader.

There are several local Farm stores that have them for "small" tractors. He ordered me one to look at it which he purchased from Agri-Supply (I think it is a Cosmo). It is the smaller unit for smaller tractors, but it still has a 31" spread on the hitch connection. My problem is that all of my other implements have around a 20-26" spread. Without sounding like a complete idiot, am I right in saying this spreader will not fit my tractor? If not, does anyone have a different suggestion? Thanks in advance for any advise.

silverking · Mar 15, 2007

Lets say you have 26 inches from end to end on whatever implement between the lower links, when you remove the lower links and spread them apart can you pull them away from the implements pins atleast 3 inches on both sides?
then 31 inches should fit.

simple enough to remove whatever you have on it and spread the lower arms apart as far as you can and measure it,be sure to look for any adjustment in the lower arms that might let you get even more than that required distance for the new tool.

As well some implements have pins that can be reversed so the arms can go inside instead of outside like most attachments are.

Ovranalyzr · Mar 15, 2007

I haven't thought of trying that. Honestly, I tried to open the lower arms up as much as possible and it only measured about 28". That was with the screw adjustment arms (I have no idea what they are called) loosened as far as they would go. I can try to look again and see if I can loosen it more without taking too much apart.

What do you think about the CCM spreaders? From other posts, it sounds like it will fit on the sub-compact tractors like mine.

Thanks for the help!

BarryinMN · Mar 15, 2007

Hitch widths are Category 0 = 20" wide, category 1 = 26" wide, category 2 = 32" wide pin diameters also increase with category.

Sounds like the tool is too big for your hitch. May be able to swap for smaller pins and reverse them to point "in" and fit your hitch.

Ovranalyzr · Mar 16, 2007

Yeah, that is what I was thinking. I appreciate the help and suggestions. I have emailed CCM and they carry one that will fit my tractor. I trust their knowledge that it will fit. Besides, their price with shipping is the same I would pay here with tax.

GaryM · Mar 16, 2007

How far the draft arms will separate can depend on your tires too. R4s have a very square profile compared to R1s. The draft arms could hit the corners of the R4 tires at a setting that would clear an R1 tire.

Coyote · Mar 16, 2007

You can also buy one that is ground engaged...it has wheels and you can pull it behind your tractor, 4 wheeler, or truck. It has a regular trailer hitch, not 3 pt mount. That's what I did...works great

Ovranalyzr said:
I haven't thought of trying that. Honestly, I tried to open the lower arms up as much as possible and it only measured about 28". That was with the screw adjustment arms (I have no idea what they are called) loosened as far as they would go. I can try to look again and see if I can loosen it more without taking too much apart.

What do you think about the CCM spreaders? From other posts, it sounds like it will fit on the sub-compact tractors like mine.

Thanks for the help!

Ovranalyzr · Mar 19, 2007

That is actually the kind of spreader I was originally looking at. I strayed away from that kind after reading all the posts here. For my yard, the broadcast type would be great but my pasture is a little less smooth and not so forgiving.

I did notice the other day that my tires are pretty square. I am not sure about the numbers or differences in an R1 and an R4, but the tires on there now are really skinny. Not really what I would like to have on there if I had the choice.

I ended up ordering the spreader from CCM on Friday. It should be here tomorrow. Now I am just waiting on results from the soil samples I submitted to know what to buy. Needless to say, my weeds are very happy right now.