Techniques for spreading mulch with a FEL

[tractchores]

I did some searching around and see that a number of folks use their tractors to help when spreading mulch for flower beds etc. I'm planning on spreading around 8 yards of pine mulch this weekend and it'll be the first time I'm using a tractor with a FEL to assist.

Other than using the FEL as a wheelbarrow to transport the material, are there any other techniques folks use to speed up the process? Mose of the areas have plants, so dumping and back dragging to level won't be an option, but I'm interested in any tricks that may make it go faster.

If there's an attachment that people use I'd be interested in that as well since it costs about $1,000 to have someone else do the work I can justify some expense to make it easy for me to do it quickly.

 

[schoolsout]

In your case, I'd just use it as a wheelbarrow...

that said, I'd love to hear if anyone else has a better idea as I will likely be doing some of this type work in the future.

 

[KennyG]

I just dump it around/over the plants and then even it out and pull it away from the plants with a rake. With a very careful hand on the joystick, you will be surprised at how gradual you can dump it and how little spreading will be required to even it out.

I did 6 or 8 yards last spring in about a half day, including two trips with the trailer to pick it up, and I was in no hurry to get it done. It amazed my wife because the last time we did it we didn't have the tractor and she had to help. It eliminated a lot of nagging about overspending on the tractor and trailer. :thumbsup:

 

[bcp]

Side dump bucket, but I've never seen one on anything other than construction equipment.

Wheel Loader Side Dump Buckets

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/219786-any-ideas-where-buy-make.html

Bruce

 

[MoKelly]

I primarily just use the FEL to pick-up the mulch and transport to the area. But - that can be a HUGE help vs. shovel into the wheelbarrow and roll to the area!

MoKelly

 

[TerryR]

For those places with plants you can't dump on, I start with a good mulch fork - a pitch fork that 24" wide or thereabouts, with lots more tines. Then get the FEL as close as you can to the spot, and turn the bucket to near level so you aren't digging the stuff out of the bucket, and set it just below waist high. Then it's eash to grab big loads on the fork and spread it manually.

For the bare spots, spread it as best you can from the bucket as KennyG describes, then touch up with a rake or the fork.

Terry

 

[Tomtint]

I Have a commercial property that we maintain. The first two years we spread 40 yards with the loader just dropping piles and reeking it out by hand. It was a royal PITA and back. The past 2 years I have rented a mulck blower. It cut the mulch material by 30% and is way...way. Faster

 

[s219]

I bring the mulch home in my utility trailer (towed behind my SUV), and then use the tractor to tow the trailer around the yard at home. Pitchfork the mulch from the trailer right into the beds. I never even have a mulch pile to deal with, so no use for the FEL.

 

[k0ua]

I spread mulch all the time by getting the bucket to the "tipping point" where it just starts to trickle out, and give the stick a slight shaking backwards, as you move with the hydro pedal a little backwards. It is hard to describe, but not hard to learn to do. Oh sure you still need to use a rake but you can spread it a lot with just some practice.

James K0UA

 

[dusty3030]

It's easy with a FEL, you scoop up the mulch and dump it in the beds with the tractor and have your wife spread it out with her hands, rake, whatever works best for her. You get a better vantage point sitting higher up on the tractor to point out to her the places she missed as well.