Basic seeder/spreader

hunt4570 · May 29, 2016

Looking for a basic seeder spreader to put on my L3540.
Using it mainly to plant and maintain several food plots and small fields. 3-400
capacity is probably fine, spreading seed fertilizer, and probably pelletized lime.

I see some have the option for full spread, and left or right spread which I'm thinking
if that actually works would be good for along woods edges... if it would also do both
at the same time it might let me do lanes through the woods. Does this option work
as described?

I see Agri supply has one but I'm a little leary of some of their stuff...
Any recommendations on this type of spreader without breaking the bank?
I'm thinking $350-$500

Thanks

orangeandgreen · May 29, 2016

I have a Cosmo brand that is holding up well. I use it for overseeing and fertilizer. Bought it at the local farm store for around $350.

hunt4570 · May 29, 2016

orangeandgreen said:
I have a Cosmo brand that is holding up well. I use it for overseeing and fertilizer. Bought it at the local farm store for around $350.

They're about $400 now, it doesn't have that edger option on it though..

gsganzer · May 30, 2016

I've been looking for a new one too. I've been looking at the Landpride FSP700. I like the idea of a poly hopper, stainless gate/impeller and galvanized levers.

I have a smaller Herd M96. It's fine for a seeder, but much too small for spreading fertilizer on my 7 acres. I end up re-filling the hopper every 2 passes.

Steave · May 30, 2016

hunt4570 said:
They're about $400 now, it doesn't have that edger option on it though..

I have a Cosmo 500P and it says it has the left-right spreading options or full spread, however it has a left spreading or right spreading action but not at the same time. I don't know if it works like the manual says because I've always used mine in the full spread mode. You gave me an idea about spreading on each side of the road. I have some field roads I'll try out the right side spreader option on this fall when I plant some winter food plots. Go down the road then turn around and go back. The hopper is rated for 992 lbs.

hunt4570 · May 31, 2016

Steave said:
I have a Cosmo 500P and it says it has the left-right spreading options or full spread, however it has a left spreading or right spreading action but not at the same time. I don't know if it works like the manual says because I've always used mine in the full spread mode. You gave me an idea about spreading on each side of the road. I have some field roads I'll try out the right side spreader option on this fall when I plant some winter food plots. Go down the road then turn around and go back. The hopper is rated for 992 lbs.

I found that Cosmo 500 at Agri supply $419 with the steel hopper, and $469 with the poly hopper... I wonder if that poly hopper is worth the extra 50 bucks?

kthompson · May 31, 2016

Have second such spreader from Agri Supply. First, really a big fan of Agri Supply. No one stands behind their stuff better, no one. Two different brand of spreaders but neither has worked well in my tries at left or right side and both have tendency to spread a little heavier to one side over the other but the one (not sure which right off) that has the two holes in the bottom does better job. If you want to spread a lane like you are saying you can also slow the rpms down and get much narrower spread width. You can also change the angle of the vanes on it to affect spread width. As to the different hoppers, if you are not going to fully clean the spreader and will be using fertilizer in it buy cheap for the gear box and such will rust out real quick. I have metal hoppers and my brother has fiberglass or plastic not sure which and I am not sure one is better than the other. Metal will rust but is stronger.

Steave · May 31, 2016

hunt4570 said:
I found that Cosmo 500 at Agri supply $419 with the steel hopper, and $469 with the poly hopper... I wonder if that poly hopper is worth the extra 50 bucks?

My metal hopper lasted 12 years I just replaced it this year with another metal. After looking and reading a little closer in detail about the spreading left or right it appears the cut off point is about centerline with the tractor so if you're trying to spread to the left or right only you'll still be distributing seeds or whatever behind you on to the road. They do make an add on chute you install to spread directly left and right. They say its for using in an orchard. I'm not sure what the purpose would be for an orchard I guess folks with orchards would know. The attachment I'm referring to is shown in the users manual but I can't find it for sell ?

You can download a users manual online for free.

hunt4570 · Jun 5, 2016

Steave said:
I have a Cosmo 500P and it says it has the left-right spreading options or full spread, however it has a left spreading or right spreading action but not at the same time. I don't know if it works like the manual says because I've always used mine in the full spread mode. You gave me an idea about spreading on each side of the road. I have some field roads I'll try out the right side spreader option on this fall when I plant some winter food plots. Go down the road then turn around and go back. The hopper is rated for 992 lbs.

So on the Agri Supply website it says the 500 has the left/right option so I went to a Agri supply not too far from me yesterday... it said nothing about the left/right option and the guy working there said it id not have that option either. was trying to find an on line manual to verify but cannot.

I'm thinking I'm going to buy the Cosmo P250, same thing only smaller hopper.

lostcreekranch · Jun 5, 2016

I have a BEFCO 203 that I use for mostly fertilizing our 8+ acres of "yard" around house at the ranch. It's about 12 years old and still works very well.