Spreading Fertilizer with BX

Danner · Mar 24, 2012

I need to fertilize about 5ac of fairly open pasture. This is a once, maybe twice, a year task. Will use my BX2660.

Would like some guidance on 3-point vs. pull behind, vs. receiver hitch electric (my BX has a sturdy 2" receiver on the draw-bar plate). If you could mention make & model that would help a lot.

I'm in Fort Worth, and would like to get something in the next week or so, as we are having great weather, and it would be good to build the turf while we have the moister.

Price is not a big concern, but I don't want to buy more than I need.

Thanks for your thoughts.

whistlepig · Mar 24, 2012

Danner said:
I need to fertilize about 5ac of fairly open pasture. This is a once, maybe twice, a year task. Will use my BX2660.

Would like some guidance on 3-point vs. pull behind, vs. receiver hitch electric (my BX has a sturdy 2" receiver on the draw-bar plate). If you could mention make & model that would help a lot.

I'm in Fort Worth, and would like to get something in the next week or so, as we are having great weather, and it would be good to build the turf while we have the moister.

Price is not a big concern, but I don't want to buy more than I need.

Thanks for your thoughts.

I think a three point spreader would be better than a pull behind. If you live close to a co-op and buy enough fertilizer from them they sometimes will let you use one of their spreaders for free or at a very low rental cost.

NY_Yankees_Fan · Mar 25, 2012

Danner.

Take a look at this old thread on a Herd M96 Seeder, I have one and it works well.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/55855-herd-seeders-m96-160-5-a-2.html

Some good photos here http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=48632

More info here they are not cheap $625. They are now owned by Kasco Mfg Co,

http://www.kascomfg.com/public/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Herd-Seeder-Wholegoods-8.1.11-complete.pdf

JOHNTHOMAS · Mar 25, 2012

I've used a Ferguson Overseeder (Big rolling drum with spikes and bins for product to be dropped) and the funnel shaped spreaders on BXs. Both worked fine BUT fertilizer is the enemy of metal. The Ferguson is now only used for grass seed and I sold my funnel type fertilizer, I've gone to just mowing weeds and letting the grass clippings be my fertilizer.

Any way, the funnel type would be my recommendation on flat land or watch how much you fill it with. The shape causes the weight to get high and can tip a small tractor on a slope if it's full.
Always clean any of them that have any metal as soon as possible and then clean them again and maybe spray them with some type lubricant/sealer/protectant. I was surprised how quick the metal would start corroding after having the fertilizer in it.

blueriver · Mar 25, 2012

Cleaning is so very important ... fertilize will eat it up in a hurry. When I don't use a buggy from the co-op and have to use the cone spreeader I always hose it off several times and then apply a light coat of a mix of used motor oil and diesel fuel ... seems to help.

JOHNTHOMAS · Mar 25, 2012

blueriver said:
Cleaning is so very important ... fertilize will eat it up in a hurry. When I don't use a buggy from the co-op and have to use the cone spreeader I always hose it off several times and then apply a light coat of a mix of used motor oil and diesel fuel ... seems to help.

Glad to see what your using. I think I sprayed mine once with WD40 since I had some but I don't think it was/is a good solution. It lubricates for a short period of time but I think it eventually goes away and then there the metal is shouting for corrosion to come on over and eat him/her up.

Your solution should remain longer on the metal surface and maybe be a bit more afforable. Sure others have their own secret solutons that they may post of what does and doesn't work. But I believe several cleanings are essential and not just one hose off.

NY_Yankees_Fan · Mar 25, 2012

YES got to clean it after EACH use. I use a leaf blower 1st, then a hose, then leaf blower again, followed by WD 40, then hit the grease fittings . Blue River I like your idea of oil and diesel, I am going to "borrow" it.:thumbsup:

Deano · Mar 25, 2012

Coop is the way to go if you have one handy. Take a soil sample into them, they custom mix your fertilizer needs and put it in a spreader.
$25 dollars and return it. No worry about initial cost or cleaning.

blueriver · Mar 25, 2012

JOHNTHOMAS said:
Glad to see what your using. I think I sprayed mine once with WD40 since I had some but I don't think it was/is a good solution. It lubricates for a short period of time but I think it eventually goes away and then there the metal is shouting for corrosion to come on over and eat him/her up. Your solution should remain longer on the metal surface and maybe be a bit more afforable. Sure others have their own secret solutons that they may post of what does and doesn't work. But I believe several cleanings are essential and not just one hose off.

NY_Yankees_Fan said:
YES got to clean it after EACH use. I use a leaf blower 1st, then a hose, then leaf blower again, followed by WD 40, then hit the grease fittings . Blue River I like your idea of oil and diesel, I am going to "borrow" it.:thumbsup:

Thanks guys ... I like the fact the mix stays on longer and clings to the parts. Then when you use it again the action of the unit sweeps it clean. I also use that mix on the grain drill ... on the inside after I have used the shop vac to clean out all the left over seed. BTW ... left over seed can and will germinate and grow inside the drill ... Then you'll have a real hard time digging it out.

Weed eater won't fit inside the grain box!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jeff F. · Mar 25, 2012

Does the CO-OP have a small spreader? The only one I have seen around here are the size of a gravity box and I would not want to use it with a BX.

blueriver · Mar 25, 2012

Deano said:
Coop is the way to go if you have one handy. Take a soil sample into them, they custom mix your fertilizer needs and put it in a spreader.
$25 dollars and return it. No worry about initial cost or cleaning.

True ... I can't believe they charge you !!! Here if we buy from them the spreader is no cost !!!

Its something how little things vary around the country.

Tomtint · Mar 25, 2012

I had a BX22 and my father has a BX23, 2 years ago I bought him a Polly 3 point spreader for Xmas. He used it to spread salt I. The winter and fert and Lyme in the summer. It works great. I will be using it to spread Lyme next weekend.

boomer1025 · Mar 25, 2012

TSc has the 3 point poly on sale for 479 i believe. I looked at one and it was nice

radioman · Mar 25, 2012

I bought one of those pull behinds for spreading fertilizeer from TSC with wide turf tires behind my bx. Since I only have 2 acres, it doesnt take long at all and 5 acres is doable as long its a manicured lawn, not a field type. using a pull type in a field is just asking for trouble in a unstable bumpy field since its top heavy.

I attached a rope to pull the shutoff when I am in the seat since its too far away- so a 3pt might be a better option for you since the medium size one makes me refill 2 times for a 1 acre spread. 5 acres? You might be happier to fill once and be able to shut off/on from the seat with 3 pt spreader.

bx2670 · Mar 25, 2012

I'm getting a Country line sub compact 3 point spreader from Tractor Supply hopefully in a few more days ,been waiting now for over 3 weeks to come in.The sku # is 2120123 its on their website 400lbs max, not gonna put that much in it at a time probably 250 lbs. I only need to spread lime now . I PUSHED 500 lbs of fertilizer not gonna do that on 800 lbs lime!!!! Once I get it I will post some pics

Deano · Mar 25, 2012

blueriver said:
True ... I can't believe they charge you !!! Here if we buy from them the spreader is no cost !!!

Its something how little things vary around the country.

Yeah, I agree...different policies depending on the area and store managers I am sure.

Deano

Danner · Mar 25, 2012

Thanks to all for your good information.

I must say, that Herd M-96 unit looks like it would be perfect. I'm gong to call the manufacturer and see if they have a Fort Worth dealer, or order one through UPS.

thavil · Mar 25, 2012

Like others, I purchased my 3ph spreader from TSC and it works great. Each year, I spread a couple of tons of lime and fertilizer on my horse pastures with my BX24. Cleaning and greasing after each use should keep it in working condition for a long time.

Danner · Mar 25, 2012

thavil said:
Like others, I purchased my 3ph spreader from TSC and it works great. Each year, I spread a couple of tons of lime and fertilizer on my horse pastures with my BX24. Cleaning and greasing after each use should keep it in working condition for a long time.

Thavil; thanks for posting that. Your storage building looks tucked and tight, well done. :thumbsup:

thavil · Mar 26, 2012

Danner said:
Thavil; thanks for posting that. Your storage building looks tucked and tight, well done. :thumbsup:

Thank you!! The storage building has a lot more "stuff" inside it now but the implements are still in the same location. Dollys really help out with saving room.