Spreader Spreader recommendations needed

[Will]

I'd like to get a small 3-point hitch pto powered spreader to use for fertilizer and grass seed. I'm looking for something fairly inexpensive and easy to store, so what do you recommend?

 

[SimS]

Agri-Supply has a Cosmo pto spreader for $239.95. I just bought one used and it works great. I don't know where you are in Georgia but there is a retail store in Tifton, GA and Greenville, SC. <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.agri-supply.com>http://www.agri-supply.com</A>

Sim

 

[kyoders]

It's in Greenville, NC. You had me going there for a minute. I thought there might have been one close enough to home to make the trip.

Kevin

 

[crb478]

I bought the same spreader from Agri Supply. They also have a store in Garner NC if you want to drive that far, or they will deliver it. 800-345-0169 Mine was delivered for $39.05 Total cost with tax was 294.60. It wasn't worth it to me to drive. It was also over 50 dollars cheaper than simular spreaders around here

 

[Will]

That looks like a good deal. Can you control the width or the side that it spreads on? I've never used one, so maybe it is just a matter of slowing down the PTO. Also, do you think it would work well on grass seed and pelletized lime?Thanks a lot for the suggestion.

 

[Soundguy]

Also look a the ones that TSC sells. The have both a large unit, with a standard pto drive, and also a slightly smaller unit with a flexible pto shaft. I bought the smaller unit, and just seeded and fertalized 9 acers a couple of weeks ago.
Worked great.

Soundguy

 

[TresCrows]

The Herd M-96 is what you probably want. It is much smaller than the units typically sold at the tractor Supply places, just right for smaller tractors and --well--Handy as a pocket on a shirt. Phone number is 219-753-6311. J

 

[Will]

Thanks for the suggestion. How big is that spreader? I think the low priced Cosmo spreader is a little over 3ft in each direction.Thanks,Will

 

[TresCrows]

The M-96 is much smaller than the unts sold at the farm stores. It is just right for a BX or 7500 or 2410. They also offer a larger version called the M-160. Either unit is avaialble with an optional steel top cover and also an extension for increased capacity. The unit has a cast iron base and bronze and iron gears with zerks, The funnel is galvanized steel. Adjustment is fairly easy and I have had no service problems with mine. The only complaint is that at the very last little bit of seeds or fertilizer it will not feed well cuz the botton is only slightly sloped to the outlet--this occurs only at the very last little bit and has not been a problem. It spreads granular fertilizer and seeds well. It does not like powdery stuff like some of the weed and feed fertilizers that have small granules and lots of powder. It will spread the heck out of stuff like Triple 8 or Triple 13 which I get at the Farm Co-op. Seeds spread nicely. J

 

[Will]

Thanks again for the info. I did some checking, and of course you are right, the Herd M-96 is smaller than the standard ag units. The spreaders I've seen all measure about 36" in height, but the M-96 is only 20" across the top compared to 36" for the Cosmo and similar brands. It weighs 84 lbs, the Cosmo weighs about 120 lbs I think. In terms of price, the list is $350 while the Cosmo goes for $239.I spoke to David Herd, and asked what he thinks the advantages of his unit is compared to the Cosmo. He said that it was designed to spread seeds well, and that it could distribute a very uniform small quantity (2lbs/acre). Also he said that they make a point of providing replacement parts very quickly.

 

[TresCrows]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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