Description

Rotary spreaders are used to broadcast seed, fertilizer, or other granular products. They consist of a hopper with an adjustable gate opening to regulate the flow of material falling onto a rotating spinner. Spreader size can vary from small hand-held units to large tractor mounted units. Units of 1- to 2-bushel capacity are powered by a 12-volt electric motor and can be mounted on tractors, ATVs, or pick-ups. Three- to 32-bushel spreaders are attached to a tractor’s 3-point hitch and powered by the tractor’s power-take-off. Spreading rates vary from 3 to 1,000 lbs/acre and swath width will vary between 20 and 40 ft. Some models have an agitator in the hopper to prevent blockages and provide a uniform flow of material.

 

Application

Rotary spreaders are well suited for limited acreages on level or rolling terrain. Seed should be spread during or following the tilling operation. Spreaders can be attached directly to the tilling or mulching equipment. Fertilizer, seed only, seed blended with fertilizer, or lime may be applied on tilled soil or over pastures. Hand-operated units are not limited by type of terrain and are best suited for spot treatments. Rotary spreaders are simple and easy to use and maintain. They can be accurate, but are often misused, resulting in non-uniform applications. Tractor speed, flow rate, and swath width all affect the application rate; wind can distort the swath pattern.

Considerations:

  • The shape and weight of the seed can dictate how seed flows and how far it is broadcast.
  • Fairly crude to calibrate the seeding rate.
  • In the tractor mounted broadcasters the agitator must be turned off if the gate is closed.

Images

Truax Broadcast Seed Slingers
Truax broadcast seed slingers on an ATV. Photo courtesy of USFS.
Hand-Held Seed Slinger
Hand-held seed slinger. Photo courtesy of USFS.
Seed Slinger Attachment on ATV
Seed Slinger attached to ATV. Photo courtesy of Truax Co.
Rotary Spreader
Rotary Spreader. Photo courtesy of Texas Native Seeds.

References / Additional Information

Bassford, D.; 1992. Roadbed stabilization. In: Rangeland Technology Equipment Council. 1992 Annual Report. 9222-2808- MTDC. Missoula, MT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Technology and Development Center: 4.

Vogel, W.G. 1983. Disturbed land reclamation (Eastern Subgroup). In: 37th Annual Report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation and Equipment Workshop (VREW); 1983 February 13-14; Albuquerque, NM. Missoula, MT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Equipment Development Center: 25-26.