I have one from TSC and it has metal gears int he bottom that are open. Pretty simple design, but the tires are poor and are on plastic rims so I cannot foam them. I put tubes in them as they keep leaking air. I am unsure that any of the tow behinds are really built well.

 

Not this this will help, but I haven't' seen anything with the Brinly name on it that looked well built. Plastic gears in a spreader? That's just wrong.

 

I bought a Made in The USA smaller pull behind spreader a couple years ago from ACE hardware. It said metal gearbox and was $160. So far it's been reliable. Too narrow as I've tipped it twice and had burn marks to show for it. I've yet to see one I really liked. Hope the parts work out for you!


-636

 

It's that time of year again.

So last year I rebuilt it, went out to fertilize and was very frustrated because of the clumping in the fertilizer and the most ridiculously cheap wire 2" long agitator that doesn't do a damn thing to keep the stuff moving. the whole afternoon it was start and stop and stir he pot, sometimes causing a bunch to fall out, and that caused a dead spot in the lawn. I'm suprised I didn't put the damn thing out to the curb last year.

So I still have a bunch of fertilizer and it's time to go do this all again, but I am thinking I need to improve on the agitator, anyone had any experience upgrading the agitator to something that actually works?

Thanks!
Randy

 

I just bought a JD 175lb pull-type from the dealer a few weeks ago (LP25354). It is a bit larger than I needed but the wide stance of the tires makes it very resistant to tipping over. I hear it is supposed to be made by Brinly but it appears better made than any of the Brinly's I've seen. It has metal drive gears with a grease fitting no less. I gave it a good work out this past weekend and it performed flawlessly.

 

Can you take some pics of the current setup Randy?

 

Sure Kenny, I'll try to get that in the next day or two. Need to pull it out from behind, well, you probably know....

 

I have one of those type, but with the star aerator under it. It still works - sort of - as long as I don't over fill it. Anyway, it just isn't wide enough for my tractor, and doesn't have adequate capacity. So, I started looking for alternatives in the 48" or wider option. Two good mfrs popped up: Gandy and Garber. I think the Gandy is a little better made, but priced at over $1200! The Garber is a little cheaper, but still too steep for my blood. So I kept looking on craigslist. A pretty nondescript ad. showed a spreader with a price of $400 dollars. I thought: "well maybe, if it's what I think and I can get him down a bit" So I replied to the ad. asking questions about the spreader and if he would take $250. He didn't know much about it, but said to come look at it; that he'd probably take $250 for it. So I went to look. Sure enough it was a 5' Garber in good shape. The only thing I noticed was that it was missing the setting CAM, and the drive wheel was stiff from sitting for years. I pointed these out to the owner and went home with the spreader for $200. I bought a replacement CAM and on/off lever extension so I can reach from the seat across my 3PH from Garber, repainted it, and now I have one sweet, well-built spreader. Nice solid agitator with "waffle" plates, and grease fittings on the axle and drive gear. No plastic anywhere. I need to take some photos, but mine is just like this guys except tow behind rather than 3PH:


Three point Garber 5 ft spreader

I can get a 3PH adapter for it, but it backs easily and can be turned off from the seat. So, decided I didn't need to spend the money for it. Someone should really make a decent spreader in the 48" range for an affordable price. Just not out there. Business opportunity for some enterprising metal worker.

 

gittyup, nice drop spreader, which I could find one around that price.

My hunch is that Ransx77 has a broadcast spreader. That is what I have currently.

 

I have a craftsman broadcast spreader too. It has metal gears (though pot metal) and a wire agitator. Works good for granular stuff. It's pretty big. Seems to pretty well made, overall. My uncle said it would turn over on his steep property. So he gave it to me. Never tried it for powdered lime or seed. Suspect it's not good for powdered lime, and it would throw seed where I don't want it (flower beds). Hence, the drop spreader. In fact, I might look to modify the broadcaster to dispense compost. Will have to think about that one.

 

Spreader

The higher end spreaders from John Deere are built by Stryker which is owned by Brinly. Once you get them adjusted to the size of the fertilizer granules they will do a great job. I usually apply at the half rate setting then spread a second time at a right angle to the first spreading. As far as applying lime, I apply the pelletized lime this stuff is awesome, most of the big box store have this available.

 

The higher end spreaders from John Deere are built by Stryker which is owned by Brinly.

That's the one! (It's actually Spyker) Thank you, this is good information. There is a lot of info available on the Spyker website, much more than the JD website.

 

Sorry about miss naming, had a brain f**t. Things like that happen when you get old. Once you start the adjustments stay with it until you get it where you want it. I changed out the flow rate adjustment cable and handle to the longer stainless steel handle and rod, much better than the flexible cable.

 

No problem! You solved the mystery of the manufacturer. I had questions posted on several forums and no one seemed to know where the JD 125lb and 175lb pull-behinds were made. I was looking for a owners manual to review prior to purchasing mine. The drive gears look to be well built on these units, they are all metal and Spyker gives them a lifetime warranty. I doubt JD carries that warranty over to their OEM models. I also didn't realize these spreaders were made in the USA.

Parts seem to be inexpensive and readily available directly from Spyker. Still not sure why JD has no parts listing. So unless I need a replacement GREEN hopper, I know where I will be getting any parts if needed.

 

You are right about the replacement parts. I have the 175 spreader that I bought 5 years ago. As the years have gone by Spyker has made modifications to their spreaders. I really liked the adjustment changes and I ordered the parts and upgraded my spreader, it is much more accurate. I have had other broadcast spreaders but like this one the best for my needs.