Things to inspect on manure spredders

Learning to Farm · May 27, 2011

I have not one but two manure spreaders provided by the farm, I would like to know what to look at to see if they are in "working" order. They have sat out in the weather for at least 2 years. What maintenance should I do before using them (I figure check the tires and air pressure). On a side note, I plan on spreading compost with them from composted horse manure, is there maintenance I should do after I have finished the job? I will be storing them in a covered equipment area.

beenthere · May 28, 2011

Much will depend on what type/style the spreaders are that you have. Care to post a pic or two, and the make and model #'s ? I'd suggest some "dry" runs with nothing in them, to see if the mecahnical parts are working (after checking for any broken or missing parts).

grsthegreat · May 28, 2011

I have a horse drawn (or tractor drawn) spreader from the 1950's (best as anyone can tell).

All parts are available thru "Shoup" online store. They dont have many moving parts, and i usually have to fix something every season.

Not to hard to repair actually.....

sweettractors · May 28, 2011

I would lube all chains and grease all zerk points before moving the spreader. As suggested earlier, I would make some dry runs to be sure all is working ok. Ken Sweet

Learning to Farm · May 28, 2011

beenthere said:
Care to post a pic or two, and the make and model #'s ? I'd suggest some "dry" runs with nothing in them, to see if the mecahnical parts are working (after checking for any broken or missing parts).

Been, here you go!
#1 is a AGCO New Idea 3709 is the number.

#2 is up on the hill and I will take more pictures later

Grt, funny thing. For my main job I travel, I have been to the town that Shoups is in (noticed on the website). Secondly, if you fix something every year, farmers should charge more for food (always a belief of mine) a chain assembly is 600+$.

Thanks!

Snaker · May 28, 2011

The gearbox is the most important part. I would turn the PTO by hand first to make sure everything is free. If something is jammed up, you could break the gearbox. Big troubles. Everything else is open and pretty obvious. Check front to back for grease points (gearbox for lube). Don't forget to look under for broke/rotted hangers.

sweettractors · May 28, 2011

Learning to Farm said:
Secondly, if you fix something every year, farmers should charge more for food (always a belief of mine) a chain assembly is 600+$.
Thanks!

As a life long farmer, I can say from experience, that as a producer, we have absolutely NO control over what we get for our product. We generally pay high input costs and sell low to middle. That is why most farmers have off farm jobs to subsidize our farming. Ken Sweet

beenthere · May 28, 2011

From the pics, looks like the apron will need to be fixed, as one or two flights appear to be broken away from the square chain. You'll get some learning on how to slip apart the square chain links (having the right anvil tool will help a lot here) and possibly how to repair the rivets that connect the flights (cross bars) to the special links. Having a neighbor or friend nearby as a tutor will help a lot here.
Getting a manual with parts breakdown will help a lot.

Learning to Farm · May 31, 2011

I happened to catch one of the guys that does some maintaining on the farm this weekend. There are many broken/rusted snapped flights (learned a new word). He said that yes, the power part is fine but the chain had jumped and a lot of the flights are broken. If I buy a new set it is $450. That maybe easier than learning to wield. Haha!

grsthegreat · May 31, 2011

Learning to Farm said:
I happened to catch one of the guys that does some maintaining on the farm this weekend. There are many broken/rusted snapped flights (learned a new word). He said that yes, the power part is fine but the chain had jumped and a lot of the flights are broken. If I buy a new set it is $450. That maybe easier than learning to wield. Haha!

Never heard of the term flights..... i have been able to get parts for mine thru "Shoup's". most parts , if not all, on the roller chains can be poped out and replaced without replacing the entire chain assembly.

are flights part of the gears???? or the chains??