Spreading Fertilizer

[SCDolphin]

Any good way to protect tractor when broadcast spreading fertilizer??

 

[Runner]

This was with a tow-behind spreader, but I just hung a piece of cardboard on the front of the spreader, secured with wire. Didn't expect it to be a long-term solution, but I've been using it this way for a couple of years now, and I guess I really don't need anything better. Works for me anyway.

 

[Kays Supply]

I cut some sheet poly and made a gaurd on the tractor side of my spreader. I set it down as close to the ground as I can and still get good coverage. That helps also.

 

[greg_g]

Any good way to protect tractor when broadcast spreading fertilizer??

What am I missing here? I'm not sure from what the tractor needs protecting. Or are you using some kind of omni-directional spreader? Cuz I've been using a cone type PTO-driven broadcast spreader for years, and it only throws rearward and up to 60 degrees or so to the right and/or left. Full width spread is about a 120 degree fan. Nothing comes forward. The only "protection" I use is a hopper cover - when it looks like it might rain before I'm done spreading. Never used a buggy, but pretty sure they're about the same.

//greg//

 

[Robert_in_NY]

What am I missing here? I'm not sure from what the tractor needs protecting. Or are you using some kind of omni-directional spreader? Cuz I've been using a cone type PTO-driven broadcast spreader for years, and it only throws rearward and up to 60 degrees or so to the right and/or left. Full width spread is about a 120 degree fan. Nothing comes forward. The only "protection" I use is a hopper cover - when it looks like it might rain before I'm done spreading. Never used a buggy, but pretty sure they're about the same.

//greg//

Some of the cone spreaders like the Baltic and such threw 95% of the material where it was suppose to and the last 5% would get tossed anywhere else as the spreader spun 360 degrees. This included on the tractor. I was never happy with the spread pattern of the baltic or the fact it tossed fertilizer on the tractor so when I found a good Vicon pendulum spreader I bought it.

But for the op, like the others suggested, you could fab up a simple shield to attach to the spreader to deflect any fertilzier coming forward back down.

 

[LoneCowboy]

Mountain, molehill

Seriously, I spread 1000's of lbs of fertilizer each season.
Yes, some hits the tractor
You just wash it off at night.

Not a big deal.

 

[SCDolphin]

My spreader is a cosmos with a big aggitator in it and it throws about half the seed up in my cab area. Maybe a tarp over the top of the cone would help.

Thanks

 

[warhammer]

I bought a 500 pound Cosmo a couple of weeks back and used it to put out 900 lbs. of fertilizer on a a field.
There was literally only a handful of granules in the PTO area and another few in the cupholder when I was done.
The one I bought has a curved shield down by the scoops that prevent it flinging stuff forward.
Does your unit have that?

Warhammer

My spreader is a cosmos with a big aggitator in it and it throws about half the seed up in my cab area. Maybe a tarp over the top of the cone would help.

Thanks

 

[ampsucker]

i'm in the "clean up after" crowd.

compressed air from hose, leaf blower, garden hose - they all work. course i also keep a decent coating of grease on most of the movable 3pt hitch parts so that helps fight corrosion, too.

as far as the spreader itself, i wash it down good with a garden hose or pressure washer and then coat the nuts and bolts and moving parts with spray on grease to keep them protected until next use. the hopper on my brinley is plastic.

amp