tow behind seeder/spreader vs 3pt mount spreader

[trikepilot]

So I am in the process of researching my options for a spreader/seeder that I can use on my property. This will be fairly light duty use for the most part. I see a need for annual ongoing grass seeding and overseeding along with basic grass starter fertilizer. I also will likely want to use it seasonally for deer food plots. And I will need to stay on top of lime application to stay not too far behind in the soil pH dept. This is on variably rugged and hilly land with some thick grasses that makes hand pushing not only strenuous but also means I have had more seeder/spreader tipovers than I would like.

I have started looking into tow behind seeder/spreaders - both broadcast and drop - that would be easily pulled by either my B2620 or my RTV400. However, that research has led me more often than not into territory occupied by the dedicated 3pt mounted spreaders. These 3pt spreaders are not too much more cost than a good tow behind broadcast/drop spreader and seem to be a good option.

My question is.... how does a big 3pt spreader deal with fine materials like grass seed, fertilizer granules, and lime? Will it do an adequate job on a variety of sized and shaped material? Anything to watch out for as I watch the CL and FBMP options popping up around me? Are some more "controllable" in terms of seed density and distance thrown?

 

[JasonW]

Most I’ve seen used have been well used/rusted out and still want almost new prices for them.
No experience with the tow behind models as we have a 3pt for decades. Wash out after every use and light coat of used hydraulic oil/diesel. And stored inside.

You cannot spread powdered lime with them, that requires an actual lime spreader. They have granular lime that will probably work but I’ve heard it doesn’t work as good as powdered lime.

 

[TheOldHokie]

So I am in the process of researching my options for a spreader/seeder that I can use on my property. This will be fairly light duty use for the most part. I see a need for annual ongoing grass seeding and overseeding along with basic grass starter fertilizer. I also will likely want to use it seasonally for deer food plots. And I will need to stay on top of lime application to stay not too far behind in the soil pH dept. This is on variably rugged and hilly land with some thick grasses that makes hand pushing not only strenuous but also means I have had more seeder/spreader tipovers than I would like.

I have started looking into tow behind seeder/spreaders - both broadcast and drop - that would be easily pulled by either my B2620 or my RTV400. However, that research has led me more often than not into territory occupied by the dedicated 3pt mounted spreaders. These 3pt spreaders are not too much more cost than a good tow behind broadcast/drop spreader and seem to be a good option.

My question is.... how does a big 3pt spreader deal with fine materials like grass seed, fertilizer granules, and lime? Will it do an adequate job on a variety of sized and shaped material? Anything to watch out for as I watch the CL and FBMP options popping up around me? Are some more "controllable" in terms of seed density and distance thrown?

View attachment 171509

I use a 500# Cosmo 3pt broadcast spreader like the one in your picture for those exact tasks. Works fine for grass seed and granilar fertilizers/herbicides. It puts material down fast. I have had it for a couple decades.

A drop spreader is more precise but a lot slower and harder to maneuver.

Whatever you buy poly is your friend.

Dan

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

My question is.... how does a big 3pt spreader deal with fine materials like grass seed, fertilizer granules, and lime? Will it do an adequate job on a variety of sized and shaped material? Anything to watch out for as I watch the CL and FBMP options popping up around me? Are some more "controllable" in terms of seed density and distance thrown?

if you end up with a homeowners sized broadcast spreader that you can't throttle back the spread rate you still have another solution.
in the event you can't slow down the material drop rate you can always mix it with some filler. For example if you want to drop powder which is very fine you can mix it with some dry sand or whatever other type of inert filler you can get cheap.
we mix pelleted slug bait (iron phosphate powder) with sand we dig up in our yard and use a small spreader to spread around our buildings. We get the powder really cheaply but without mixing with sand the drop rate would be way to fast in our little old spreader. We do the same mixing calcium used to raise the water hardness in pools around our tomatoes using similar trick with a chest mounted rotary spreader.

edit: oh and yes some do better job at low drop rates. Ours is terrible as its old, worn, but still very much usable.

 

[McMXi]

I bought a HERD 750-3PT seeder/sander from a coworker in 2017. I paid $850 for it and no doubt he ripped me off since that was his nature. He had an M7060 and would break just about every implement he ever used and complain that it wasn't made properly. He had made some Mickey Mouse modifications to the seeder, but in order for it to be useful to me I'd need to invest in some hydraulics since both of my tractors have cabs.

I used it one winter to spread sand and it worked well in that role, but since I'm averse to adding salt to the sand it's hard to prevent the sand from turning into rocks so I only used it one season. I would like to get it running again and have dry sand in it for the driveways but I haven't solved that problem yet.

I'm starting to get serious about the pasture at my place so perhaps seeding is in my future next year.