Manure spreader size

There are several factors to consider along with size when choosing a manure spreader. What will you spread? Dry compost or wet manure. Very different propositions. Do you want to drive it through the barn when you fill it? Do you want to fill it with a tractor? A spreader that is a lot smaller than your tractor bucket would be very maddening. I prefer a two wheeled spreader that goes behind a forecart, but other folks are very successful with a four wheeled spreader with a seat on. We have two halfliningers here that spread compost for many years, but we finally started letting bigger animals do it as the halflingers are almost 30 years old. They still work but a lot less than they use to. In their prime the spreader was very hard work for them, but we kept filling it with two tractor buckets. I don’t know how many bushels our spreader is but it is more or less the common size; maybe 7′ long and 40″ wide. Look for one in good condition, unless you want a project to take it all apart and put it all back together. When you fill it start with one bucket load from the tractor. then try one and a half. then try two smaller scopes. you will figure out what they can handle. Don’t know if it helps. Donn

Rod, My experience with an old JD ground drive spreader is that it works great for composted piled manure. It will throw out scabs of hay etc, and shred them a bit, but you are apt to have pretty clumpy application.

I think that kind of pack is tough on all spreaders, ever think of making windrows and composting it before spreading it?

The old spreaders are easy to operate, and to maintain, mine was old when I got it, and I’ve gotten a lot of use out of it. Rebuilt the chain and bed a few times though. Good luck, Carl