Best Broadcast Spreader??

[pryker]

I was fertilizing my lawn a few weeks ago and was using a Brinly tow behind broadcast spreader. What a complete piece of crap!! It started out fine but would clog often, poor distribution pattern and towing it made being consistant a joke. I have to keep leaning back to reach the off lever and with a lawn tractor could not turn short enough.

I switched to my scotts push spreader. It was 100 times better. My question is this: What is the BEST walk behind spreader and the best tow spreader? Which ones do you guys use and recommend?

I have 3.5 acres.

Thanks

[ple_1969]

I've gotten great results with Earthway. http://www.earthway.com/

Pete

[pryker]

They look good. Let me ask you guys this then:

I would prefer to get a tow behind as I have such a large yard. But I have better control with the walk behind model even though I feel like I am running a marathon when I use the walk behind. It is hard work.

What about the electrics? Has anyone tried an electric and mount it on the back of a ZTR? I have a Lazer 60 I could mount it on? What electric do you guys recommend?

Thanks

[BigDave]

I was in the exact same situation as you, and finally settled on this Spyker spreader:
http://raysbaginc.com/SPYKER%20SPREADER%2050%20SERIES

It was drop-shipped directly from the factory, so I had to put it together, which was a bit of a pain, but its worked out great. I went with a walk-behind for the extra control, as you mentioned, and also so I don't need to start up the ZTR when I just want to spread a little salt on the ice in the winter.

[naturescape]

Spyker spreaders ABSOLUTELY RULE!

I bought an Earthway for $100 a few years ago, used it a couple times and threw it out.

[RjCjR]

I've always used a Lesco spreaders. I've seen those things fall out of trucks, dropped, everything! and they're pretty indestructable! Plus, if something ever breaks they're simple to fix

[pcnservices]

Originally posted by pryker
What about the electrics? Has anyone tried an electric and mount it on the back of a ZTR? I have a Lazer 60 I could mount it on? What electric do you guys recommend?
Hey pryker
Here's what you need for your Z rider - a front mount electric broadcast spreader (http://www.jrcoinc.com/spreader.html)
Good Luck
PC

[BobR]

have two, one is for the small lawns it is an Earthway 2400 stainless steel broadcast spreader - 5 years and no problems.
For large areas I use a Jrco Electric Broadcast spreader (pricey at $800.) and it is a life saver on large lawns, construction is Poly, Stainless, Aluminum and Cast Iron, 4 years and no problems.
No more red face and pounding chest for me...

BobR

[pryker]

OK,

I bought a JRCO! I went to the local dealer and they had one on display. WOW... very cool! They had to order me one as the one I was looking at was just purchased. While I was there a landscaper came in and I spoke to him about it.

He says he has many of his ZTR's setup with them and that he loves them. He has had them for 4 years with zero problems. I cannot wait to try it out!! I paid $805 for spreader and $85 for mounting bracket.

Thanks guys.

[gorrell]

Check out this website for a quality front mount spreader that will last. www.4mowerproducts.com Lynn

[C.T. Lawn Care]

do you have one of thoes 4 mowers spreader? i was looking at them and they are a little less expencive than the JRCO and was wondering if anyone used them and could tell me what they thought of it

[pryker]

Hey,

Well, I have used the JRCO and love it... BUT... Have purchased more property (another 10 acres) adjacent to my land and it is now too small and have since purchased a 3 pt spreader for my tractor. I am selling my JRCO spreader. Hoping to get $450 including the mount bar.

Anyone interested please email me at phil (@) rallyingpoint.org

Thanks

Phil

[leeslawncare]

Lesco Lesco Lesco!!!!!

[greasy_gun]

earthway stainless steel pull behind..
ive been using it 3 years with no probs

[snnoopy]

They look good. Let me ask you guys this then:

I would prefer to get a tow behind as I have such a large yard. But I have better control with the walk behind model even though I feel like I am running a marathon when I use the walk behind. It is hard work.

What about the electrics? Has anyone tried an electric and mount it on the back of a ZTR? I have a Lazer 60 I could mount it on? What electric do you guys recommend?

Thanks

I understand the marathon feeling. As a professional, I only use the spreader about 4 or 5 times per year. Keep in mind that when I do, it is usually for 10 or more hours at a time. Unless you use one everyday, you will need a hot bath and a day of rest after. I just bought a John Deere electric spreader and mounted it on the front of my Zmower. I bought some steel braces from Lowes and fabricated a mounting bracket for it. Once i got it balanced such that the fertilizer settles at the drop hole, everything was fine. Wet fertilizer and/or a level hopper makes a big mess. The fertilizer wont flow through the drop hole. Keep in mind that electric spreaders dont normally have an agitator pin. The reason for this is that the motors are never strong enough to push the pin through the fertilizer. The motor will burn up. Therefore, it is essential that the hopper be tipped in such a way that the fertilizer settles toward the drop hole. Also, the fertilizer must be very dry for best results. It took me 3 days to figure all this out, so enjoy. I must say....spreading fertilizer is now effortless! I can put down a 30 lb bag, 15000 sqft in about 10 minutes and not even feel like I did any work.

[snnoopy]

They look good. Let me ask you guys this then:

I would prefer to get a tow behind as I have such a large yard. But I have better control with the walk behind model even though I feel like I am running a marathon when I use the walk behind. It is hard work.

What about the electrics? Has anyone tried an electric and mount it on the back of a ZTR? I have a Lazer 60 I could mount it on? What electric do you guys recommend?

Thanks

I understand the marathon feeling. As a professional, I only use the spreader about 4 or 5 times per year. Keep in mind that when I do, it is usually for 10 or more hours at a time. Unless you use one everyday, you will need a hot bath and a day of rest after. I just bought a John Deere electric spreader and mounted it on the front of my Zmower. I bought some steel braces from Lowes and fabricated a mounting bracket for it. Once i got it balanced such that the fertilizer settles at the drop hole, everything was fine. Wet fertilizer and/or a level hopper makes a big mess. The fertilizer wont flow through the drop hole. Keep in mind that electric spreaders dont normally have an agitator pin. The reason for this is that the motors are never strong enough to push the pin through the fertilizer. The motor will burn up. Therefore, it is essential that the hopper be tipped in such a way that the fertilizer settles toward the drop hole. Also, the fertilizer must be very dry for best results. It took me 3 days to figure all this out, so enjoy. I must say....spreading fertilizer is now effortless! I can put down a 30 lb bag, 15000 sqft in about 10 minutes and not even feel like I did any work.

[lilmarvin4064]

http://www.andersonsgolfproducts.com/spreaders.asp

[fishinpa]

Spyker spreaders ABSOLUTELY RULE!

I bought an Earthway for $100 a few years ago, used it a couple times and threw it out.

I bought the 2170 and have been using it for 2 seasons with ZERO problems. I can put 2 x 50Lb bags of fert in it and off I go. It's still like brand new.

I know it's not a pull behind, but I wanted to put my $0.02 in on this one.

I'd but another on tomorrow if this one got swiped or run-over...