Wreched broadcast spreaders!!!!!!!!!

[js5020]

Well I've about had it with these overpriced pieces of JUNK!!!!! In the last 3 years I had to buy 2 of them, the first one cost me around 85 bucks and it lasted through seeding the yard, fertilizing and liming twice,,,not to bad actually it's just a little thing the wife bought,,, the second one was an argi-fab unit, looks nice, big tires, easy to turn off and on, nice unit cost about 150 bucks,,, the first time I used it I thought I finally had a good one. Well had it out for the second time the other day and the gears gave up the ghost while spreading granular lime,GRRRR. I am not buying another one,,,,,, and why am I posting this in the 2 wheeler section?? Well this modification is gonna involve 1/2 the junk spreader and I'm thinking a Gravely rotary plow gearbox! I want to see it rip the gears out of that!!! Well at least that's my plan A. Updates to follow.......

 

[Bird]

Maybe you're buying models that are too expensive. I have a $15 Scotts hand held spreader I've used for over 4 years and it's still like new. My daughter has a Scotts walk behind and push spreader that cost less than $30 and it's also over 4 years old. Before I moved back to town, I had a Craftsman that I pulled behind a riding mower. I bought it used for $30, but I've never had a problem with any of them. I do clean them pretty thoroughly after each use.

 

[js5020]

You maybe right Bird, the cheaper one did last longer than the more expensive one did! It just frosts me with these things. I only spread granular fertilizer and lime, when I buy it I make sure it's dry and use it right away. I also wash things up after use and grease it before and after. Tomorrow, I'll either have one that spins or I'll twist the shaft in two!

 

[js5020]

Well in between rainstorms I have managed to make some headway on this thing, working outside,,,,I have the spinner mounted and had the tub temporarily mounted, and even applied some power and spread some sand. I have to mount the tub permanently before I can get a good idea what kind of spread pattern it makes, but it does work, just don't know how well yet.

 

[Tig]

Hmmm my $30 spreader is 15 years old. But then again I have no shame in the amount of tie wraps and epoxy that I will use to "fix" it one more time.
Post some pics of the Gravely set up when you get a chance. It sounds interesting.

 

[Udder]

I have a related anecdote:

A buddy of mine works in a metal machine shop, and one of his ongoing projects for a customer is custom-machining a lime-spreader out of solid stainless steel. It has to be perfect, solid, polished, 100% stainless. It has to spread lime perfectly. Cost is no concern here. Perfection takes priority for this customer. At the price of stainless steel these days that's gonna be a pricey tool. A lot of people are quite particular about their garden tools.