Spreader Spreader recommendations needed

TresCrows · May 2, 2002

Will, twice I have ordered replacement parts from Herd. Once was to replace the three point bar I stupidly bent beyond repair and the second time was to order their optional top cover kit. All were sent immediantly on an open account. Trust in people is rare today. Their unit is a bit more pricey than the "too" large units at the tractor stores but the lighter weight and smaller size make it very attractive. It is avaialble with an extension that increases the capacity from 3 bushels to 5 bushels.
There may be a nicer small unit but I have not yet found it--the key word being small. J

MrP · May 2, 2002

Will,

I have the afore-mentioned TSC C500 spreader. It was $350 and has worked very well for me. The spreader has a load capacity of 900 lbs and came with the agitator at no additional cost.

Here is a pic:

Will · May 7, 2002

TresCrows - Thanks for the advice, I'm now the proud owner of a Herd M-96 spreader. I have a question for you though. The instructions warn that the PTO shaft might have to be shortened. Does it fit your 2410 without any adjustments? I remember you ran into some kind of trouble with the 3 point hitch.Thanks, Will

TresCrows · May 8, 2002

Will, no, you will have to shorten the PTO shaft. I forget how much I had to cut off but I actually still need to trim off about another 0.5 inches as it binds when the 3-point lever is pulled all the way up so I can stow the MMM. Of course it is not needed to pull the lever all the way up unless you have the MMM attached and want to pin it up--be watchful of that. If the PTO shaft is left to long it will damage the spreader. Yes, I accidently while trial fitting the spreader on the BX before the PTO shaft was fully trimmed bent the 3-point cross bar on the spreader which I had to replace. The instructions warn you about this.
It is easy to trim the shaft, take some measurements and using the shortest measurement from the implement to the PTO power take off shaft with the 3-point full down and full up and then trim off enough to provide clearence through the full range and you will be safe. I cut mine with a hack saw.
I spread 1,000 lbs or so of pellatized lime last weekend and then about 400 lbs of fertilizer. The M-96 did a fine job, hope you enjoy yours, be sure to grease all the zerks and always wash the spreader down after using fertilizer or lime etc in it. I wipe the galavanized steel down with an oily rag after washing, grease it up and store it indoors. It is in perfect shape and has spread so far 1,000's of pounds of seed, fertilizer and lime.
Use only pellatized materials, the powdery weed and feed stuff will not spread well--Scotts for example but the kind that has the little osmocote balls will spread well. If you are spreading the finely granulated insecticides or similar mix them in with fertilizer.
J

Will · May 17, 2002

I got my Herd spreader, I waited for my soil test, and last night I spread some lime. It is amazing how easy the spreader makes the job. By the time I had finished the job, the set screw holding the PTO shaft to the spreader had loosened up. I'll have to figure out a better way of keeping that srew tight.

TresCrows · May 17, 2002

Mine did that a few times too. Make sure the set screw is on the flat. Also--per the maual--make sure the PTO end is pushed up very close to the cast iron body to eliminate end play. Clean the set screw and use blue locktite or even red. Tighten it down pretty good. Hope you like your spreader. J