JD HPX Pulling a GD Manure Spreader?

KennK · Apr 24, 2008

I'm considering purchasing a JD Gator HPX 4x4, and one of the things I'd like it to do is pull a ground-driven manure spreader. Here is a link to the spreader's specs:

Our Products - H & S - Manure Spreaders - MS50

I have a JD 3320 compact tractor with a FEL that I'm currently using to load & pull the manure spreader, but the hitching/unhitching with each is a real pain. We're hoping that we could load w/ the tractor and spread with the Gator.

The JD dealer that sold us the spreader (and tractor) said the HPX could pull the manure spreader, but I wanted to see if you had opinions.

Thanks,

Ken K.

Kahuna · Apr 24, 2008

I have had two HPX's and currently have a XUV. They are rated to pull 1300 or 1400 pounds but I have pulled loaded wagons before at 15,000 lbs. I have no doubt the HPX will pull a spreader, I would be more concerned with the hitch weight. The wheels look like their pretty far back on the spreader which would put a lot of weight up front.

KennK · Apr 24, 2008

I was thinking the same thing. The hitch weight empty is around 400 lbs. I don't think I have anything that will allow me to weight the hitch filled ... and I can't drive it to my local truck scale filled with manure.

I don't know how much composted manure weighs, but it is a lot. The spreader appears to have about a 50/50 tongue weight ratio empty (800 lbs empty w/ 400 tongue weight), so maybe I could do some estimates based upon the % of the box forward and aft of the axle. Maybe.

I do fear its a really big number.

GatorNT · Apr 24, 2008

That looks like the same spreader we use, except ours is the Frontier line from JD. I used a gator 6x4 diesel with our until I got an XUV this year and both handled them just fine. I load it really high too and they handled it just fine.

TOMMYHPX4X4 · Apr 25, 2008

i would say pretty much the same things if you can hook onto it and get traction you can pull it . the main thing is the hitch weight try not to go to far over the max weight of the reciever .