Spreader Broadcast spreader deal fell thru whats the best

[stevenf]

Well my tractor salesmans dad had already given away his spreader so I'm back in the market. My Kubota dealer stocks Fuerst but in our area I have easy access to other spreaders they all are the standard painted metal type funnels the spreaders I've seen for sale around here are Fuerst, Frontier, Modern, AgMeier and the TSC red ones. Does anyone have any reccomendations on which are made the best and the least trouble to maintain/longest lasting. My plan is to use it to spread food plot seed and fertilizer all at once. They are all less then $500 with TSC being the cheapest at $395.
Steve

 

[rdln]

Stevenf, I dont know who has the best, most of them are made by one company in Italy. I am lucky up here in my area, there lots of small farms selling to developers and pretty easy to find used equip, bought mine for $100.

I think the most important aspect is once you have it, wash thoroughly, lube and coat with diesel after use to prevent corrosion.

 

[easyrider]

most of them are made by one company in Italy.

That company is COSMO. Most spreaders you see at TSC or Agri-Supply or other fleet stores are made by COSMO. Many distributors also are supplied by COSMO. This is not a bad spreader, but it has a "throw-away" gearbox on it. If anything goes wrong internally, you have to purchase an entire gearbox. They are also a side-feed unit, which can clog. Lastly, the on-off mechanism is a little on the flimsy side. Take a look at our spreaders. They are definitely more expensive than the COSMO spreaders, but the quality is far superior. We use a cast gearbox, as well as a much more refined and heavier on-off mechanism. Check out more info here -

http://www.befco.com/products/hop/hop.html

If I can answer any questions for you feel free to ask.

 

[stevenf]

Befco, your spreader that you linked to is for a 16 to 30hp I'm planning on using it on a 90hp M9000 I looked at your web site but didn't see any rated that high not that I can see a problem running it with too much HP its still a 540 pto machine. How much would one of yours cost if shipped to a business address with a dock in San Antonio, Texas zip 78201 or do you have dealers where I could pick one up at.
Steve

 

[talldaddy]

I have the Balti-Matic 80. It has a cast iron gear box and a stainless steel gate/metering window. The remainder of the spreader is about the same as the cheaper ones but the business end seems pretty tough. I bought this one at Southern States Co-op for around $500.00 2 years ago. The day I bought it I went to Tractor supply about 2 miles from SS Co-op and they were $100.00 higher. See the imbedded link for a brochure of this spreader.Baltic Model 80 Spreader

Jeff

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I had a Vicon that was over $1400. It got stolen a few years back. (from a job site)I replaced it with a "Cosmo" 300 "Industrial". (Same as everyone's "cheap-o" spreader.) I've had good luck with it. Seems to hold up mechanically. I use it frequently behind 60(+)HP with no ill effects. Keep it clean and oiled after using. Salts from fertilizers are destructive. Protect from them and even a cheap spreader does well.

 

[easyrider]

Steve,

I wouldn't see a real problem with it behind it. However, I would be easy on it at startup. We do have a dealer real close to you. Here is his info -

Alamo Ag-Con Equipment Inc.
2940 S.E. Loop 410
San Antonio, TX 78222
Telephone: (210) 648-3673
About: 12 miles

I would check them out and let me know how it works out for you.

 

[rambler]

I donno if you can buy 2 of the cheapies & be ahead of one spendy one?

I never used, but have heard good things of 'Herd' spinners, they have a web site & dealer network.

--->Paul

 

[Bink]

Here is a good website

http://www.herdseeder.com/

 

[MarkV]

Another consideration is what you are going to spread. Fertilizer, granular lime and any larger seed seems to work alright on most but if you plan on spreading a fine smaller seed look closely at the spreaders metering system.

MarkV