Spreader ultimate manure spreader

tsterkel · May 19, 2008

I saw, in action, the ultimate manure spreader. We were in Normandy (France) driving from Mont Saint Michel to Saint Lo, when I spotted a large tractor pulling a larger tank/sprayer on a slightly sloped field. The tank has a brownish liquid and was spraying with a coarse nozzle. My wife was first to identify the nature of the brownish liquid, having a much better sense of smell.

Any such in US, and compatible with compact tractors?

darkviper · May 19, 2008

This is actually a common practice here in the states. But they are refered to as a slurry sprayer. They are filled from a lagoon as opposed to a lot that the cattle, swine, ect are on. I used one for years years ago. As far as a compact tractor is concerned i have never seen one under 1000 gallons. So that would be 8,600 pounds plus the wight of the tank. I wouldnt want to sit on a compact with that much weight behind me. Most compacts are under 6000 pounds.

mjarrels · May 19, 2008

Very common with dairy farmers... Neighbor has two liquid manure ponds. When time to drain, two LARGE trucks will work 12 hours a day to spread on the corn fields prior to planting. NO laundy goes on the clothes line for those two days!

mark

MFL · May 19, 2008

Growing up in the midwest these were a common site in the Spring and Fall. Been around for a while, but definitely not equipment for your average hobby farmer. Here's one with the right size tractor you need to safely pull one.

SPYDERLK · May 19, 2008

MFL said:
Growing up in the midwest these were a common site in the Spring and Fall. Been around for a while, but definitely not equipment for your average hobby farmer. Here's one with the right size tractor you need to safely pull one.

On reasonably flat land you could pull several of them with that tractor. Just so you emptied them from back to front.
larry

MFL · May 19, 2008

You're right Spyderlk! That Fendt is a monster! Just trying to make the point that a slurry spreader is not something the average hobby farmer is going to work with. Definitely NOT something you want to hook up to a CUT!

xlr82v2 · May 19, 2008

I think MFL will agree, you wouldn't want more than 1 of those behind you with that tractor.

When I was on the dairy farm, we had a Calumet 3250 spreader (similar in size to the one pictured, possibly a little larger, it held 3250 gallons) that we pulled with an IH 1466 and then later a Case/IH 7110, both 130HP class tractors. I know I wouldn't want any more behind me than that. Even with surge brakes, the spreader could push the tractor pretty well on the road when it was full if you would have to make a panic stop. That's also a lot of weight behind you to pull up and down hills...

Even if you could pull 2 in tandem, I wouldn't try it without a MUCH larger tractor... that slurry is HEAVY, heavier than clean water.