Spreader Small spreaders - ATV vs. Tractor?

[Anonymous Poster]

My wife and I just moved to the Sierra foothills at 3500 ft. We have one part of our 1400' driveway which is steep and shady, so we expect some ice build-up. I'm looking at salt spreaders. I've never used one before.

We have both a Polaris Ranger 6x6 and a Kubota B2710. My preference is a hitch mounted electronic spreader for the Ranger. My wife is more comfortable driving the ranger than the tractor, and I'm often away on business during the week. But if they just don't work, then I'd look at a small PTO spreader for the Kubota.

We also have a meadow which we're renevating, so we'll use this as a broadcast seed spreader in the spring.

Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

 

[micromike]

Last year my neighbor bought an spreader from Northern Tool/Equipment for his P/U that used a small electric motor to spread the salt. It was located in the base of a (I think) 15 or 25 gallon steel barrel and fits into his receiver hitch. The motor burned up the first time he used it. It took him a couple of months to get a replacement from Northern because the motor kept getting backordered.

My only suggestion would be that if you get an electric spreader that you choose a good quality spreader with a motor that can be easily rebuilt or replaced with an "off the self" unit from a local electric motor dealer/distributor. Or buy a unit locally and make sure it can be services locally if needed. I'm guessing that a Meyers or Western Snow plow dealer would be a good place to start.

Mike

 

[tiltbed]

I used a small broad cast spreader on my Yamaha 4 wheeler this spring and was amazed on the job it done...put aprox 6 acres to clover after disking.the motor in this seemed to be a small 12v....looked like the same as a G.M heater mtr.So i think a little innovation could be incorporated in case of mtr failure.This only cost (the whole spreader) $125.00..Myers or Western are about $500 to $800...lemme check my book...lol..Yup was right..$225 for the cheapy to $800 for the best (plus mounting brackets..$45-$75)...or put the wife on the tail gate with a small shovel..just j/k ...Sid

 

[Nuru]

There is a cheaper spreader made by www.farmstar.com, also www.worksaver.com, look for the item US-33, it runs about $340 or less. It runs off the PTO with a flexible shaft. You may want to take a look at that one. I am looking at it and I am also looking at one from sitrex, but I am also looking at using this for more than just salt spreading, I need it for seeding weed and feed, lime pellets, ..etc. I just gotta save up the money!

 

[soarkrebel]

I built one for my atv. i took a 15 gallon barrel and fabricated a spinner out of a 12 volt motor from a RV fan , a coffee can, and a wildlife feeder spinner. built a guard from sheet metal and a gate from sheet metal to control flow. works great. oh it just plugs into the aux power port on my honda.cost? about $ 20 most of that was the wildlife feeder spinner kit.

 

[Boondox]

Mike -- Having both a 4-wheeler and a tractor I'd choose the spreader on the ATV over the tractor for a couple of reasons. Firstly, if you are prone to icy conditions you will most likely face ice on the drive on days when there is no snow to clear, especially late in the season. Secondly, ice will be worse in the morning. Sure you could fire up the tractor and let it warm completely, then lumber down the drive and spread salt, but an ATV warms up in a fraction of the time and is much more maneuverable. With the Polaris you could have the job done before the Kubota even warms up. The other reason has to do with your second use: broadcasting seed in the spring. The light weight of the ATV would cause less damage to sensitive Sierra meadows. Here in Vermont I can do my early spring chores on the ATV a couple of months before I dare take the Kubota into the meadow. During spring thaw and mud season, both will do the job but one leaves light footprints and the other leaves huge ruts.

Pete

 

[hwp]

I have both a ATV and a tractor. I tried using the ATV and a pull behind spreader for a couple of years and gave up on it. Last year I bought a Buyers salt spreader made for use on SUVs but mounted it on the back of my F2400. This works much better - less clogging and contolled from a warm cab to boot.

 

[Boondox]

HWP -- Just curious. Why did you go with a pull behind instead of one of the 12V units that don't depend on ground contact?

Pete

 

[gobbler]

Has anyone tried one of those spreaders with the flexible pto shafts. I'm just wondering how well they work.

Jim

 

[hwp]

Probably because I didn't know there were spreaders available for ATVs when I decided to use a spreader. I had been spreading sand and/or salt by hand out of a wheelbarrow. However having seen both, I much prefer the SUV style - much more substantial and holds enough salt for me to do my entire driveway with one hopperful.