Author	[Modern View]
dave2 10-03-2012 03:37:36 139.139.35.69 Report to Moderator	Hey folks, Anyone use something like this?? I've got one in fine shape but no manual. Want to use it this spring to fertilize the pastures but don't know how far to open the ports. First time fertilizing and don't wanna over/under do it. Any pointers would be appreciated. Thanks. [Reply]   [No Email]
Ken Macfarlane 10-03-2012 13:17:01 184.151.127.230 Report to Moderator	Re: 3pt broadcast spreader??? in reply to dave2, 10-03-2012 03:37:36   We had one almost identical. Unless perfectly oiled and cleaned up each use they have a very short life. I got tired of freeing it up every time it needed to be used. Its been replaced with a vicon wig- wag pendulum.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Nancy Howell 10-03-2012 11:47:20 144.162.48.145 Report to Moderator	Re: 3pt broadcast spreader??? in reply to dave2, 10-03-2012 03:37:36   We have a Howse and have used it for both fertilizer and seed. Its worked well for us.   [Reply]  [No Email]
MI AC Parsons 10-03-2012 11:44:37 69.129.148.194 Report to Moderator	Re: 3pt broadcast spreader??? in reply to dave2, 10-03-2012 03:37:36   Have had one for 7 yrs. Theory is great, but no matter how much wd40 I spray on that thing, it's a bugger to try to move the settings....so, I have it set where I want and pace the speed and 1x or 2x coverage to meet what I figure the ground should have...mechanically works well otherwise.   [Reply]  [No Email]
RodInNS 10-03-2012 10:50:21 216.118.158.123 Report to Moderator	Re: 3pt broadcast spreader??? in reply to dave2, 10-03-2012 03:37:36   Mabey I need to go through this again... in more detail. We had two of those bastards on this farm for over 20 years. One was a Eurospand; the other was a Cosmo. Both work on the same principle as the one you pictured. The pair we had would not flow consistently at rates less than 200-250 # per acre while driving at about 6 mph and their nominal spread width of 25-30 feet. With straight AN... probably 300 # plus is the lowest rate you're going to see. So... set it so it flows and drive as fast as you're comfortable with... and you'll get a rate that won't burn your grass off. When you're done you'll figure out what you used. Setting those things is nothing more than an excercise in wasting time. If you need to set an accurate rate get a Vicon pendulum spreader or a Lely that uses a similar metering mechanism. Rod   [Reply]  [No Email]
Rick Kr 10-03-2012 09:13:39 198.208.251.21 Report to Moderator	Re: 3pt broadcast spreader??? in reply to dave2, 10-03-2012 03:37:36   Per your comment below about 1/4 to 1 acre plots. You may be better off with a little pull behind hooked to your four wheeler. One in the 150lb range. Just my thoughts. Rick   [Reply]  [No Email]
dave2 10-03-2012 11:11:01 79.240.160.15 Report to Moderator	Re: 3pt broadcast spreader??? in reply to Rick Kr, 10-03-2012 09:13:39   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see Think they are any good???? If so, I'll start watching ebay and put this big thing back on there.   [Reply]  [No Email]
rick kr 10-03-2012 12:38:39 70.194.1.49 Report to Moderator	Re: 3pt broadcast spreader??? in reply to dave2, 10-03-2012 11:11:01   Neighbor gave me a new one he never used. Around $120 new at Lowes. I have used it 5-6 times so far. It will hold close to three bags of fertilizer. Works good, easy to adjust flow. I would not consider it a commercial unit by any means, but its holding up ok right now. Rick   [Reply]  [No Email]
dave2 10-03-2012 12:42:34 79.240.160.15 Report to Moderator	Re: 3pt broadcast spreader??? in reply to rick kr, 10-03-2012 12:38:39   That's the plan then.. Cost about the same here for the BB store models, have a couple used heavy duty ones that are still cheap that I'm watching. This big one is gonna get spruced up a little and go on ebay just before springtime..... Thanks.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Rick Kr 10-03-2012 16:52:30 66.238.169.219 Report to Moderator	Re: 3pt broadcast spreader??? in reply to dave2, 10-03-2012 12:42:34   You could bungie strap the spreader on the back of your four wheeler with a couple of bags of seed or fertizilier on front. I just wish my had greaseable bearings instead of bushings. For as little as I use it, it should last forever. Rick   [Reply]  [No Email]
paul 10-03-2012 08:31:19 76.77.196.231 Report to Moderator	Re: 3pt broadcast spreader??? in reply to dave2, 10-03-2012 03:37:36   This fella has one too, maybe you can share info with him? http://farmingforum.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=1009484 ;) --->Paul   [Reply]  [No Email]
dave2 10-03-2012 11:14:05 79.240.160.15 Report to Moderator	Re: 3pt broadcast spreader??? in reply to paul, 10-03-2012 08:31:19   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see Good catch..... I use that one quite a bit because those folks sometimes have the same stuff (brands) as far as hay equipment and some other things as here...   [Reply]  [No Email]
GordoSD 10-03-2012 07:23:46 64.33.250.162 Report to Moderator	Re: 3pt broadcast spreader??? in reply to dave2, 10-03-2012 03:37:36   Hook it up and put 100 lbs of fert in it. Engage it and drive 40 feet. Stop. Get out and measure the width of the fert band. Lets say it is 32 feet. Now Start your GPS odometer. Drive .25 miles. That would be distance for 1 acre. Add fert if needed. That means you applied 100lbs on 1 acre. Modify amount you start with to get what you want on 1 acre.   [Reply]  [No Email]
RodInNS 10-03-2012 06:58:47 216.118.158.123 Report to Moderator	Re: 3pt broadcast spreader??? in reply to dave2, 10-03-2012 03:37:36   You don't need a chart as they're pretty well useless. Open it enough to get an even flow and drive as fast as you dare drive. That will put you somewhere around 300 #/acre. Rod   [Reply]  [No Email]
coloken 10-03-2012 06:41:56 216.17.179.197 Report to Moderator	Re: 3pt broadcast spreader??? in reply to dave2, 10-03-2012 03:37:36   Don't try to calibrate it to do a "one pass" thing. Set it to a way less point and drive over and over till out of fertilizer.   [Reply]  [No Email]
PJH 10-03-2012 06:49:42 50.40.253.67 Report to Moderator	Re: 3pt broadcast spreader??? in reply to coloken, 10-03-2012 06:41:56   Good advice on setting it tight and making multiple passes. Not only with fertilizer, but also with seed. Better to have a corner a little light in coverage than to have it all in one corner. And none on the remainder. . . I've got one and I like it.   [Reply]  [No Email]
dave2 10-03-2012 06:46:58 139.139.35.69 Report to Moderator	Re: 3pt broadcast spreader??? in reply to coloken, 10-03-2012 06:41:56   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see Sounds good!!!   [Reply]  [No Email]
RandallinMo 10-03-2012 06:35:42 216.74.205.155 Report to Moderator	Re: 3pt broadcast spreader??? in reply to dave2, 10-03-2012 03:37:36   I've got one almost just like it. Mine is notorious for being almost impossible to calibrate. The setting chart on it is WAY off. About the only good thing about those things is that it beats walking with a push spreader. In order to be more accurate, you can build some "catch boxes" and weigh the amount you are putting on. Build 3, 3x3 square frames out of 2x4's. Tack plastic to the bottom of each one. Place these 3 boxes across your spread pattern (one on each side and one in the middle). DRive at the speed that you think you can maintain and spread fertilizer over the boxes you have set up (driving over the middle box). Stop after having gone over the boxes. Weigh the total amount of fertilizer in all three boxes. Multiply this amount times 1613 and this will give you the total pounds PER ACRE you have just applied. Adjust your settings as necessary.   [Reply]  [No Email]
mazemeister 10-03-2012 05:22:05 24.187.98.163 Report to Moderator	Re: 3pt broadcast spreader??? in reply to dave2, 10-03-2012 03:37:36   yep, they're pretty much all the same. app rate is going to depend on your pattern width, ground speed, gate setting, and the humidity that day (dry fertilizer flows faster than damp at a given gate setting). if you get your fertilizer in 50# bags, i'd toss 1 bag in, pick a ground speed that is a comfortable speed to drive, figure out how wide it spreads (remember to overlap some), pick a gate setting, and see how far you go with it. figure out the acreage and adjust the gate setting up or down, try another bag. when you're close enough, go for it. another approach is make sure you are under-applying, do the whole field, then you'll know what you did (write down that info for next year) and you can make adjustments to make up the difference the second time over.   [Reply]  [No Email]
dave2 10-03-2012 05:43:38 139.139.35.69 Report to Moderator	Re: 3pt broadcast spreader??? in reply to mazemeister, 10-03-2012 05:22:05   Maybe this is a bad idea then (???)........... My places are small (1/4 to 1 acre) uneven and have some fruit trees. Maintaining a steady speed will be impossible. I have one of the little push broadcasters that holds 50 pounds or so. Maybe that is the best bet? Thanks.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Michael Soldan 10-03-2012 06:17:25 24.235.36.51 Report to Moderator	Re: 3pt broadcast spreader??? in reply to dave2, 10-03-2012 05:43:38   No Dave,its a good idea. I have used mine for fertilizer and for seeding down pasture,you need to experiment,even if you don't have large acerage. Like was said ,throw a bag of fertilizer in,open it a little and drive around at your leisure until its empty..the worst to happen is that you don't get enough on and you would have to take the same drive again,you'll figure it out   [Reply]  [No Email]
mazemeister 10-03-2012 05:23:00 24.187.98.163 Report to Moderator	Re: 3pt broadcast spreader??? in reply to mazemeister, 10-03-2012 05:22:05   btw the sticker might give you a good starting place but don't believe it, calibrate yourself.   [Reply]  [No Email]
showcrop 10-03-2012 04:27:00 75.67.231.80 Report to Moderator	Re: 3pt broadcast spreader??? in reply to dave2, 10-03-2012 03:37:36   It looks like it is a Lely which is what I have. The key to these is to get the whole on off and adjustment mechanism freed up with penetrating oil and hammer pliers etc. You will see that rotating a ring will open and close the two openings. I set mine at about 2.5 -3.0 I believe for spreading a mixture something like 30-10-20 on grass. There should be a place to secure a rope that will enable you to open it to start releasing from the drivers seat   [Reply]  [No Email]
dave2 10-03-2012 04:43:48 139.139.35.69 Report to Moderator	Re: 3pt broadcast spreader??? in reply to showcrop, 10-03-2012 04:27:00   different brand (diadem), but should be the same principal....Prolly simpler than I am making it. Everything is free and pretty clean except for the control area markings. I'll clean them up this winter and try again. There is a big sticker on it with some numbers and what looks different size dots (all faded/scratched) that may have been the idiot sticker. These things were real common and may still be in some of the neighbor's barns. Maybe I'll just start knocking on doors and may find one with a visible sticker.   [Reply]  [No Email]