Spreader Seeder (spreader) PTO speed

[LeadPoison]

I recently bought a 500# capacity seeder/spreader to fertilize and plant food plots. It didn't come with a manual. I was wondering about pto speed on it. It seems that 540 rpm would be awefully high for that little gear box. Am I right in thinking this?

 

[browns40]

Hi leadpoison,

I don't know that those RPM's could damage the gearbox... it's only spinning that little disk at the bottom of the spreader, so that wouldn't provide much resistance...

You are right though: you will need to adjust the speed, opening size and setting (usually left, right, center), and unit height based on the particulate size, flow rate and spreading radius you are looking for...

I used mine for sand & salt last winter and rarely got over 1500 RPM's on the tractor as it just slung material too far... it was a real PITA for that application, but makes a beautiful, even spread of materialthats ~290 RPM... the manual calls for between 400-500 PTO rpm for all application... it was a real PITA for that application, but makes a beautiful, even spread of material if it will flow consistently.

I have a Sitrex 300, but all cone types are basically the same.

Try www.sitrex.com...

 

[greg_g]

I recently bought a 500# capacity seeder/spreader to fertilize and plant food plots. It didn't come with a manual. I was wondering about pto speed on it. It seems that 540 rpm would be awefully high for that little gear box. Am I right in thinking this?

540 rpms should be just fine. Despite it's size, it's unlikely the spreader transmission is rated for less than 35 (PTO) horsepower. Plus - the recommended 540 rpm PTO speed is what the spread patterns (in the owner's manual or on the side of the cone) are based upon. Change the PTO speed, and you change the predicted spread pattern.

FWIW, the spread pattern should be controlled by regulating/selecting the size/location of the bottom opening(s), NOT by changing the transmission input speed.

//greg//

 

[Soundguy]

I recently bought a 500# capacity seeder/spreader to fertilize and plant food plots. It didn't come with a manual. I was wondering about pto speed on it. It seems that 540 rpm would be awefully high for that little gear box. Am I right in thinking this?

A few companies make those cone spreaders, and then OEM them out to lots of people. Search around and find a unit close to yours, then downlaod the manual for it.. etc.

Soundguy

 

[Dex]

Remember to grease the gearbox. And keep an eye on the grease seal. My neighbor blew one of mine up due to lack of grease. he replaced it and has never forgot to grease it since!!!!!!!!

 

[cp1969]

Remember to grease the gearbox. And keep an eye on the grease seal. My neighbor blew one of mine up due to lack of grease. he replaced it and has never forgot to grease it since!!!!!!!!

Amen to that. I've got a Herd that recommends greasing HOURLY, probably because it doesn't have a sealed gearbox.

Also, if spreading fertilizer or seed, you need to run 540 rpm otherwise the pattern will not be right. Sand or stuff like that, which doesn't really matter how uniform the coverage is, you could run at whatever rpm you like.

 

[lawn_king]

I recently bought a 500# capacity seeder/spreader to fertilize and plant food plots. It didn't come with a manual. I was wondering about pto speed on it. It seems that 540 rpm would be awefully high for that little gear box. Am I right in thinking this?

I use the sitrex fs150, i find 1300 rpm works well for applications of standard prill lawn chemicals, swath with around 14 feet.