[RhettMan]

I want to ask the vets of the machines,

I need a quality top dressing machine that would be ideal for use in the suburbs .25 acres.

Not sure which way to go as far as mechanical method of application, drop, broadcast, belt drop.

Was hoping you might be able to point me in the right direction.

 

[Turboguy]

Since no one seems to be answering your question I will try and give you a bit of input. I am not a vet of the machines but have followed this field closely for certain reasons.

The two main choices are the EcoLawn and the Earth and Turf. Both are excellent machines.

EcoLawn makes a model 100 and model 200. Should you go that way the 200 is definitely the one you want. The pluses for EcoLawn are that it is light and maneuverable and since it uses dual spinners you can cover a fairly large area quickly. The disadvantages are that since it has slopped sides the compost or top dressing material needs to be fairly dry or it will bridge. It is probably a bit more prone to minor problems but everyone seems happy with the units and the problems are minor. EcoLawn has a plastic hopper which is nice if you do bump into something.

Earth and Turf is more of a drop spreader with a belt and brushes to push out the material. It has straight sides so it will handle wet material better than the EcoLawn. To me it seems to be a more solidly built unit and probably less prone to any minor problems. It is heavier than the EcoLawn so probably takes a bit more effort to load into a truck but that shouldn't be a problem. Owners of both machines seem very happy with them and between those two there isn't a wrong choice. It is more a matter of what is important to you. Both units are fairly similar in price and I believe in the 6 grand range.

There are some lower cost alternatives. Earth and Turf has a ground powered unit that works like a sifter. It is sort of a cool design and I am not sure what the price is but I would guess in the two grand range.

There are some units on the market that have a basket made of something like chicken wire that are manual push and I would hesitate to recommend them but they start at around a few hundred and there are some plans around for making one yourself of that style.

Some guys have converted a regular lawn spreader for compost but cutting a large hole. That too isn't a great choice but will work.

There is another unit that is like a drop spreader but designed to be pulled behind a tractor. It is around 2 grand but it has the wheels on the outside and is wide so getting past gates could be a problem. I think it works ok with dry material. At least the videos on the web look pretty good.

There is one made in Canada that is about 3 grand and more of a drop spreader with tapered sides. I saw it at the show in Toronto and the name starts with a B but I don't really remember the name and I do think the first two I mentioned would be better choices.

 

[adam.neusbaum]

Hey Turboguy- we usually chat over on the Stocks thread. Bannerman is what you might be thinking of from Canada. I really want one but for $4500 delivered to Me in Florida I'd like to demo it first. See ya around.
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[Turboguy]

Hi Adam,

Yep, you have offered some great advice and helpful information over in the stock trading thread where I usually see you.

Yes, Bannerman was exactly the name I could not think of. Thanks and thanks for the correction on the price.

I just saw the neatest and nicest new self propelled top dresser which was introduced at the Golf Course show this past week in San Antonio. It is made by Dakota Peat. I took some photos and intended to post them but seem to have somehow deleted the photos when I tried to upload them to my computer. If they do turn up somehow I will post them. Here is the info I know.

The new unit is made by Dakota Peat who also make large units for golf courses. It is a walk behind with a Honda GX 240 engine. It is narrow enough to go through a gate and they said it was about 12 cu ft which is a bit more than an EcoLawn or Earth & Turf and about twice the size of the Bannerman.

It has a hydro-static transmission which allows you to adjust the machine to your walking speed instead if adjusting your walking speed to the speed of the machine.

It has hydraulic drive on the conveyor so you can adjust your conveyor speed on the go.

It has hydraulic drive on the dual spinners so you can vary the spinner speed to whatever you want.

Let me explain what I see as the advantages of the hydraulic drive conveyor and spinners. If you had a wide open space you could speed up the spinners and conveyor belt to cover more area. If you had a narrow area you could slow them down so you didn't waste material.

As of now they don't have literature and the one I saw was most likely number 1.

With all the good things I think there is one real drawback that will keep it from being popular. They said they had not established a price yet but expected it to be around 12 grand. oh, I think that price will make it a tough sell. You could nearly get two EcoLawn or Earth & Turf units for that price or 3 Bannermans. It was a really nice looking unit and I like the features but I think it is too pricey for most guys.

 

[adam.neusbaum]

Ohh-weehh! I'll bet you're right on the pricing, most anything equipped with hydro racks up the $. I like my Eco & hate our Turfcos which are parked out in the corner of the property & I'll bet I don't touch them until I sell them for scrap. I truly don't want to buy any more equipment until I have to. I was so spoiled when I had a full-time job at an office out in Timbuktu where all I had to do was keep the Company fridge stocked. That regular paycheck allowed me to buy nearly anything I felt my little side business needed. Gone are the days. At least I can still learn about Stocks & Options via Tastytrades mobile podcasts during the day while out working.
Thanks for all the details on Dakota but I'd love to see a pic, teaser.
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[Turboguy]

I found the photos of the Dakota unit. Here they are. As you can see a pretty nice looking unit but I do think at that price point it will be a tough sell for them.

 

[adam.neusbaum]

That's pretty sharp, would love to run it on a larger property.
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