spreading AG lime

[psuedofarmer]

the local AG service company's truck is out of commission - and i need to spread 10 tons of lime using the PTO-driven Sitrex spreader.

i have never used this spreader to lay powderized lime (only pelletized lime).

is there any reason to think the spreader won't work? i intend to take out the agitator (the powderized lime is very dense).

pf

 

[MarkV]

Well I wish you better success than I have heard anyone else have. The two scenarios I hear are that if you can get dry enough ag lime, rare here, it will be like a dust storm when you get the spreader going. If the lime has the slightest bit of moisture then it will just cake up in the spreader and will not flow.

Talk to the co-op guys they may have a different opinion based on local experience. Our lime dealer said not to waste the time or money.

Do wear some good protection if you can get the dust storm going. You don’t want to breathe too much of that stuff and it is bad for the eyes also.

MarkV

 

[Glenn9643]

You'll do better with something like this instead of a hopper type broadcast spreader.
The price listed here seems mighty high to me, as there are many unused in this part of the country now. Thirty years ago most farmers had to spread their own but today they mostly rely on the huge lime carts to spread.

 

[Soundguy]

Good luck... I havn't had as much luck with spreading ag lime with a hopper. IMHO.. I wouldn't remove the agitator.. I've even taking a piece of stiff fence brace wire and made the agitator more agressige... otherwise.. you get a small hole in the lime.. and then the rest just sets there and stares down at the rotating disk....forever...

Soundguy

 

[HGM]

I've heard before that you can mix it with sand or fertilizer(sand should be more productive in my mind).. I've never done it,so I really dont know, but I'm looking forward to seeing what the other guys think about this as well, it could help us both /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif..I'm watching this thread because I have the same question and the replies will help make my decision on whether to buy a spreader or not..

 

[Highbeam]

Just this last weekend I watched a guy on a riding lawnmower pulling a tow behind rotary spreader shooting aglime. I know it was aglime because of the dust cloud. He was going slow and since it wasn't windy it looked like most of the lime was going to land on his lawn but it sure left an impression of why I would not want to use a rotary spreader for aglime.

How would you load the aglime into the hopper? Shovels? Or take of the spreader and load it with the loader?

 

[jazzdaddy]

Pseudo,

Since I'm also in New Hamp., I'd be interested in who you are using for lime spreading. I need to have a 12 acre field done.

This spring I spread 30 tons of lime on 20 acres using a rented spreader from Concord Crop in Concord, NH. The rental came with the lime. It was a 3 ton spreader and did the job but just barely. The unit was missing a bearing on one of the spinners. Maybe you can check with them and see if they have fixed it, if you're convenient to Concord.

I have a Vicon, cone-type spreader and would not use it for Ag lime. Bridging would be a problem and the lime I have used also has a fair number of large chunks in it (some the size of basketballs). These would easily jam the openings.

I have picked up a Gandy drop spreader that I will use for spreading Ag lime in small areas where I can't get my large equipment. But I will use a screen to sift out chunks before loading.

 

[psuedofarmer]

thanks for all the replies - i'm glad i asked before i started loading 600lbs of lime into the hopper!

i ended up purchasing a 175lb drop spreader that i can tow behind the ATV. this will work in the greenhouses - for the fields i'm able to borrow a large drop spreader (it looks like an old MF).

i'm using Conneticut River AG Services (near Walpole, NH) as my source; i'm optimistic that they'll have the spreader truck back on the road soon. if should be able to rent a large tow-behind unit (not sure of the capacity, but i think it's ~3+ tons).

i don't know what's more fun:

spreading manure or trying to get this lime spread!

pf

 

[psuedofarmer]

jazzdaddy..

just read your bio - sounds like we're in the same boat so to speak.. we have an old large farm we started restoring 4 years ago. working toward our organic cerification now (no plans for animals.. yet.. just year round crop production).

i'll send a PM in the near future (would love to learn more about your cows!).

cheers.
pf

 

[psuedofarmer]

<font color="blue">How would you load the aglime into the hopper? Shovels? Or take of the spreader and load it with the loader? </font>

i thought long and hard about this one.. if i use a large drop spreader, i can hook up the unit to the tractor, then load it using the old ford (with FEL). this will be a messy job.. with most of the lime landing anywhere BUT where i want it!

i think i'll have to be patient here - i know the AG company wants their truck on the road ASAP (they're in business to make $), so i may be better off delaying the work in that field until they get there to spread it..

pf