3pt. Hitch Spreaders

[lawnspecialties]

For years I've always used the "bargain" spreaders from the local Ag. Supply stores. I'm talking about the spreaders for using on my large commercial properties that work with my New Holland with 3pt. hitch and PTO. They're usually about 1000 lb. capacity and do a "decent" job but they don't hold up too well over time and can be difficult sometimes to get calibrated just right.

Does anyone have one they use that they've been pleased with? I don't mind spending the extra bucks on a quality product. I just don't want to spend the extra bucks and then find out it was no better than the "cheaper" brands I'd been using. Thanks

[MStine315]

Try a Lely brand, very good and used on many golf courses. Also Vicon is a good brand which uses the "shaker" type applicator that many say is more accurate. I think Lesco still sells Vicon brand. My John Deere Golf and Turf supplier sells Lely. I have experience with both. I like the Lely better, I think it's better built.

[lawnspecialties]

Try a Lely brand, very good and used on many golf courses. Also Vicon is a good brand which uses the "shaker" type applicator that many say is more accurate. I think Lesco still sells Vicon brand. My John Deere Golf and Turf supplier sells Lely. I have experience with both. I like the Lely better, I think it's better built.

I saw a Lely ad today in my Landscape Management December issue. Looks like what I'm looking for. Ironically, my New Holland dealer happens to carry them (or at least can order them). What were the costs for the Lely and the Vicon? Thanks

[MStine315]

I don't have costs off the top off my head, but it seems like a pull behind ground driven Lely was like $3,000 (??) but I can't be sure.I don't trust my memory that well! Obviously a 3 pt. would be less. If Lesco still sells Vicons, the price'll be on the website and I'm sure your New Holland dealer can get you Lely pricing. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

[lawnspecialties]

I don't have costs off the top off my head, but it seems like a pull behind ground driven Lely was like $3,000 (??) but I can't be sure.I don't trust my memory that well! Obviously a 3 pt. would be less. If Lesco still sells Vicons, the price'll be on the website and I'm sure your New Holland dealer can get you Lely pricing. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

Don't apologize. Hey, before you replied, I'd never even heard of a Vicon and had no idea Lesco carried them. Thanks:)

[lawn king]

We do quite a bit of tractor fertilizing, we prefer the sitrex spreaders. They are simple to adjust, easy to service & they hold up well!

[Grassmechanic]

Used them all on the Golf course. Hands down, Vicon is the best. You won't be disappointed!

[lawn king]

Used them all on the Golf course. Hands down, Vicon is the best. You won't be disappointed!No doubt vicon is fine equipment, for me, i was raised on broadcast rigs, im therefor more comfortable with them.

[lawnspecialties]

I typed in Vicon on Lesco's website and got nothing.:confused: I'm having many obstacles finding dealers through the web. Most what I find is European stuff. I even found a company called Vicon that makes condoms.

[teeca]

i use the VICON (which is a pendulm type spreader, use's an arm to distribute the fert, rather then a spinner plate), that is all i've ever used, so i can only say that they are totaly awsome, and can spread about 40' swaths. two things i dis-like are: the calibration is different then i'm accustomed to, they have a chart to figure it up, but it IS a differant way of thinking Vs. the usual way of the lawn app's. and it can make one heck of a mess on sidewalks/drives if you come accross them (i have a couple of frontages at HOA's), these thing will throw it everywhere, no question on coverage! but never had it clog or have an off pattern, they rock! here is a quick link to a website that sells them http://www.marketfarm.com/cfms/vicon_fertilizer_spreader.cfm the one i used was bought from a JD dealer in fishers, in

[MStine315]

http://www.marketfarm.com/cfms/vicon_fertilizer_spreader.cfm

I did a search under "vicon fertilizer spreaders" and found this place in PA. It shows pricing. I looked at Lesco's website and I guess they don't sell them anymore?? It's been a few years since I had reason to take notice. Good luck.

[MStine315]

Lawnspecialties...I sent a PM

[morturf]

I have owned a Herd like this for over 15 years. It is as heavy duty as you can get. It will spread everything you ask of it.

http://www.herdseeder.com/750.php

Have a look, I have really liked mine.

[teeca]

I have owned a Herd like this for over 15 years. It is as heavy duty as you can get. It will spread everything you ask of it.

http://www.herdseeder.com/750.php

Have a look, I have really liked mine.

it looks like it has a spinner plate? if it does, i don't think it could hold a match to a pendulm spreader. jmo

[morturf]

It is a spinner spreader.
I have used both...have you? I liked them both and they both work very well. The cost of the pendulum versus the Herd was the difference for me. For what I use it for this was the best product for me. It has been very durable, accurate, and cost effective. jmo:)

[teeca]

good deal, i had mentiond that i had only used the pendulm. about 5 years w/o a problem, but a spinner spreader, like a push spreader, will get a buid up of meterial onit, thus causing a veryation of patteren and swath (i would assume). but both spreader will work. personaly i use my PG on just about everthing, takes longer, but i can get weed control at the same time, the boom setup for a tractor isn't worth the money for me, so i wouldn't invest in one, i'd get a z-spray max first. i do use my PG on properties well over 400K and one that is 1.6M k

[Grassmechanic]

No doubt vicon is fine equipment, for me, i was raised on broadcast rigs, im therefor more comfortable with them.

LOL, old habits are hard to break! It took me awhile to get used to the Vicon, but as Teeca said, the spread pattern and distance is awesome.

[MarcSmith]

we use the Vicon here on campus, doen't miss a beat....It it was stainless contstruction Id consider using for ice melt on the roads........I love it, but as my turf is gobbled up by buildings, in a few years I might not need it....:(

[teeca]

i uesd the vicon for salting once... i can't remember when i've been so cold! it was almost as bad as the time i put a snow plow on my dixie chopper(the guy who sold me on that idea should get the salesmen award of the decade, what a d*** head!)

[MarcSmith]

our tractor has a curtis cab with soft doors with a heater, we plow with already....

[morturf]

I agree with you about the build up. I only use it for a few very large properties and athletic fields. Not a big deal to check for build up when you refill and scrape a little off the prop blades once in a while. I have 4 z sprays (2 dedicated spreaders and 2 dedicated sprayers) and a Toro workman (250 gal tank, 15 ft. boom)for large area spraying. Cover a great deal of ground with these units as well. Just nice not to have to refill as often on the properties that are strung out and wide open. I just remember that the Herd was only $900 vs. $1700 for the Vicon....mind you this was a long time ago. This being in the business so long that I have a hard time remembering what I paid for things is bad. :) Have a great day!!
Mike

[lawn king]

You cant teach an old dog new tricks. Im cool with my brodcast sitrex, the production rate is plenty fast for me, nice even spreading, never any streaks, never any worries about backing in too far and i can boom spray up front at the same time.

[teeca]

morturf, how does the liquid only z-spray workout for you, would you buy again? are you applying fert or just weed control, etc. does it still have the 10' boom, or larger, and does it use the single pump or do thay have two inorder to get the GPM up? thanks

[The Ranger]

I have a pendulum spreader 3 pt hitch for sale...bought new and never used. Set up with a spray boom and all. Replacement cost over 3000, will sell for 1000

NE Ohio Greg 330-550-6630

[txgrassguy]

There are a multitude of 3pt spreaders on the market, from rotary broadcast, pendulum, and drop.
I have used all of them at one time or another and they all have their respective uses.
Provided I had to pick just one for large area fertilizing, it would be a Lely broadcast rotary.
One of the features I like about Lely is the spoon count on the rotating disk. Most TSC/Farm Store brands only have three spoons which result in a true bell curve shaped application. I.E. heavier in the middle tapering to very light on the edges. This is important as uniform application becomes very dependent upon correct off-set. Pretty much if you screw up the spacing on your off-set you can easily streak the turfgrass.
The Lely I have has seven spoons and throws a true uniform flat fan pattern very similar to a pendulum yet without the vibration of a snout rapidly oscillating from side to side.

[morturf]

Teeca, I have 2 spray only z-sprays. I love them both. one is pretty much stock except for how I set up the boom. The other is set up with roller pump to get the gallons up. I can run up to 20gal/min. Before everybody has a cow....this is essential to roll my tanks for pendo and other wettable powder combos. It has a 12 foot boom set up the way I like it. I would buy another in a minute if i needed it. Like I said, I have 4 of them in various combinations. I don't like to combine fert and spraying so I run separtate crews. Hope that helps

[teeca]

i was thinking about a roller pump, is it run off belt/engine, or electric? thanks