ATV spreader needed

[270sniper]

I need to replace my Moultrie spreader and I am looking for recommendations preferably for a front rack installation. I would like to get another brand . I only seem to get 3 or 4 yrs out of Moultrie

I have a 2018 Honda foreman and a Polaris 570 side by side with a rear receiver if I was going to consider a rear mounted spreader. I really haven’t seen any good reviews on any spreader that I reviewed, So first hand experience is what I am looking for.

 

[RGrizzzz]

The Kasco/Herd GT-77 is supposed to be a solid unit. It's a step up in price from the Moultrie.

Herd Broadcast Seeders / Spreaders - Kasco Manufacturing Inc.

 

[yoderjac]

Herd spreaders are know for good metering for smaller seed.

 

[Mennoniteman]

I have the Kasco/Herd GT-77 that RGrizzzz mentions, and it's a great unit, I use an 8 penny nail for clover, a 16 penny nail for radishes, and anywhere between 1/2 and wide open for oats, to gap the feed gate. It plugs into the same 12v plug that my trickle charger plugs into. These are expensive but they are the best, they throw seed in a wider pattern than most other brands. I believe they cost just over $500 each by now.
I bought this new in 2014 and use it every year plus let friends use it.
FYI - you probably want to reconsider putting it on the front rack, I've done it and you end up eating a lot of seed doing that. With 50 lb of seed in it you want to make sure the clamps are tight or the seeder is going to fly off of the ATV rack. Speaking from experience.
I often put one clamp on each side in the front on the mounting bar, and several wraps of shipping tape on each side in the back on the mounting bar. 4 clamps total take too long to mount and I like to git er done. Zoom in on the picture and you can see the shipping tape, a cheap fix that works great, cut it off when you're done. I have mounted it with only shipping tape, three wraps front, 3 wraps back, and it works great that way too.

 

[Mennoniteman]

 

[Mennoniteman]

 

[RGrizzzz]

I'

I have the Kasco/Herd GT-77 that RGrizzzz mentions, and it's a great unit, I use an 8 penny nail for clover, a 16 penny nail for radishes, and anywhere between 1/2 and wide open for oats, to gap the feed gate. It plugs into the same 12v plug that my trickle charger plugs into. These are expensive but they are the best, they throw seed in a wider pattern than most other brands. I believe they cost just over $500 each by now.
I bought this new in 2014 and use it every year plus let friends use it.
FYI - you probably want to reconsider putting it on the front rack, I've done it and you end up eating a lot of seed doing that. With 50 lb of seed in it you want to make sure the clamps are tight or the seeder is going to fly off of the ATV rack. Speaking from experience.
I often put one clamp on each side in the front on the mounting bar, and several wraps of shipping tape on each side in the back on the mounting bar. 4 clamps total take too long to mount and I like to git er done. Zoom in on the picture and you can see the shipping tape, a cheap fix that works great, cut it off when you're done. I have mounted it with only shipping tape, three wraps front, 3 wraps back, and it works great that way too.

View attachment 26127

I'm surprised they don't offer a UTV mount. Do you have the electric actuator kit? I don't see it. What's the experience like opening the gate and stopping/starting the spinner to spread material? This is on the eventual upgrade list.

We currently have an older Moultrie my dad mounted to the front of his ranger. He added an aftermarket actuator to open close from inside the cab. Being in front mounted is beneficial, because you can see better where you're spreading.

 

[Mennoniteman]

I'

I'm surprised they don't offer a UTV mount. Do you have the electric actuator kit? I don't see it. What's the experience like opening the gate and stopping/starting the spinner to spread material? This is on the eventual upgrade list.

We currently have an older Moultrie my dad mounted to the front of his ranger. He added an aftermarket actuator to open close from inside the cab. Being in front mounted is beneficial, because you can see better where you're spreading.

The big difference is your dad's is mounted on front of a Ranger, and he can't reach it, plus he probably has a windshield to keep from eating seed. For an ATV you definitely want it mounted on the back and you won't need a powered actuator, just put it in gear then reach back with one hand and open the gate as you start driving. The gate handle ends up being within easy reach right behind the rack if mounted on the back rack.

 

[270sniper]

I should have added that my primary use of the spreader would be for spreading, Pelletized, lime, cereal grains and fertilizer. For small seed I use a solo and Scott hand held.

 

[270sniper]

I found someone selling a 10 yr old Herd spreader that looks like the posted for $200. The woman stated it was her husbands who passed away 3 yrs ago. I asked her if she could find someone to hook it up to see if it works before I drive 2 hrs.

Is the motor something that would be a concern

 

[Mennoniteman]

The

I found someone selling a 10 yr old Herd spreader that looks like the posted for $200. The woman stated it was her husbands who passed away 3 yrs ago. I asked her if she could find someone to hook it up to see if it works before I drive 2 hrs.

Is the motor something that would be a concern

The motor doesn't work hard running the rotor and is not known to make trouble. The biggest problem is the connections are studs that stick out the bottom of the motor under the spreader and the spreader usually ends up landing on those two pins when it is lowered to the floor. If one of those threaded connector pins breaks off it will probably take a new motor. I welded a protective frame out of 1/2" rod to keep that from happening.

 

[RGrizzzz]

I found someone selling a 10 yr old Herd spreader that looks like the posted for $200. The woman stated it was her husbands who passed away 3 yrs ago. I asked her if she could find someone to hook it up to see if it works before I drive 2 hrs.

Is the motor something that would be a concern

If it's the one in Hamburg, it looks like it's missing some parts.

 

[270sniper]

No its in NY

 

[Mennoniteman]

These Herd ATV seeders are some of my favorite food plot equipment. If someone is considering a Herd seeder here's some more helpful info. Notice how my friend's Herd seeder that I borrow sometimes is mounted upside down on the mounting frame, which gives it more height off the rack of the ATV, which means a little more spreading width, and also the frame protects the motor sticking out of the bottom. But, this is not how the instructions and factory pictures show to mount it, my own Herd seeder shown in the bottom picture is the way the manufacturer has it pictured, but I'm considering switching it around for more height. However, these Herd seeders do sling the seeder further already than most other seeders that I've ever used. Also note the 1/2" steel rod that I've welded to the bottom of my frame to protect the motor.
P.S. My friend's seeder is missing the top lid.

 

[270sniper]

The herd spreader was sold so I ended up buying this off of FB . It’s brand new and came with the add on bar to hookup to a ito a 2in ,receiver

 

[yoderjac]

That should be fine for large seed or mixes.

 

[RGrizzzz]

I'm going to bump this thread, as our Moultrie and it's spare died over the weekend. Any other recommendations out there? Maybe more heavy duty. Would be used for spreading seed and fertilizer. Preferably front mountable on a Ranger. (The Moultrie was "rigged" to the front, with the default mount) Need to be able to open and close the gate from the cab.

I know the Kasco/Herd exists, but that seems like a serious step up in price with the electric actuator.

You can see the mounted receiver in this pic and the spreaders mounted.

 

[yoderjac]

UTVs with their attachments can do a lot. However, there comes a point where a small (at least) tractor becomes a much better tool. With the pto providing the mechanical force, there are lots of options in broadcast spreaders that do an adequate job and have a lot more capacity.

Most of our fall plants cover about an acre per field with a mix that includes about 100lbs/acre of Winter Rye, the capacity helps. The WR works as a carrier for the smaller seed. I mix them in the spreader and go fast. The agitator gives me a good-enough distribution of the small seed.

While there is plenty we can do with small equipment, there comes a point after replacing an implement more than once, where heavier duty equipment becomes more reasonable. It is not just the inconvenience and equipment replacement cost to consider. With rain in the forecast sometimes spotty, the best planting windows can be small. When you get into the middle of a plant and have a failure, you can miss the window.

Of course, larger and more expensive equipment can be prone to mechanical failure as well, especially when it gets old. This thread (https://deerhunterforum.com/threads/ever-have-a-weekend-where-everything-is-a-problem.7492/ ) shows my current issues. Having access to a backup is a great idea.

My backup for a broadcast spreader for sub-acre fields is a Solo chest mount. Great exercise and easily adjusts to any seed size I use.

 

[RGrizzzz]

UTVs with their attachments can do a lot. However, there comes a point where a small (at least) tractor becomes a much better tool. With the pto providing the mechanical force, there are lots of options in broadcast spreaders that do an adequate job and have a lot more capacity.

Most of our fall plants cover about an acre per field with a mix that includes about 100lbs/acre of Winter Rye, the capacity helps. The WR works as a carrier for the smaller seed. I mix them in the spreader and go fast. The agitator gives me a good-enough distribution of the small seed.

While there is plenty we can do with small equipment, there comes a point after replacing an implement more than once, where heavier duty equipment becomes more reasonable. It is not just the inconvenience and equipment replacement cost to consider. With rain in the forecast sometimes spotty, the best planting windows can be small. When you get into the middle of a plant and have a failure, you can miss the window.

Of course, larger and more expensive equipment can be prone to mechanical failure as well, especially when it gets old. This thread (https://deerhunterforum.com/threads/ever-have-a-weekend-where-everything-is-a-problem.7492/ ) shows my current issues. Having access to a backup is a great idea.

My backup for a broadcast spreader for sub-acre fields is a Solo chest mount. Great exercise and easily adjusts to any seed size I use.

Agreed, tractor is tool 1 for most jobs. You don't need a drill for every job, and sometimes taking a heavy tractor into a plot isn't always possible. Hence the need for a quality light duty spreader. Chest spreading seed is fine, but not a fun job with a few hundred pounds of fertilizer, especially for the old guys. It stinks there isn't something better in the market for a UTV. We will likely wind up repairing the Moultries. They get so little use, it's not worth buying something expensive.

 

[yoderjac]

Agreed, tractor is tool 1 for most jobs. You don't need a drill for every job, and sometimes taking a heavy tractor into a plot isn't always possible. Hence the need for a quality light duty spreader. Chest spreading seed is fine, but not a fun job with a few hundred pounds of fertilizer, especially for the old guys. It stinks there isn't something better in the market for a UTV. We will likely wind up repairing the Moultries. They get so little use, it's not worth buying something expensive.

I've got a bigger 45 hp tractor, but I also use a small 24 hp lighter tractor at times. You are right that it is better to wait than to put heavy equipment on some soils at the wrong time. For some folks, that is a major consideration.