Implement for spreading aglime

[Colin Brown]

I have small food plots that need 1.5 tons of lime per acre. There's not enough land to justify bringing in a commercial service, and I'd really rather do the work myself anyway.

I've read that three-point hopper-type spreaders are not suitable for spreading aglime. Is this true? Will a hopper-type spreader handle powdered limestone? I could use pelletized lime, but would rather use aglime or powdered limestone for the lesser cost. Thanks for any help you can give. - CB

 

[kyhayman]

Not really sure how many total acres you are doing but it doesnt take long to spread a whole lot of lime by hand. When I first started working as a county agent I had some corn lime study plots, we limed them by hand using 5 gallon buckets. 3 of us could treat a half acre in a couple of hours.

 

[Catskill Pete]

I have used my 3pt. hopper type to spread powdered lime and it works ok. However there are a couple of issues involved with using it. 1. you will have to work out the spreading rate for yourself, the hopper opening charts are not for lime. 2. the lime tends to blow around alot, so expect for you and your tractor to be wearing a coating of it before you are through. It helps to cover the top of the hopper. I cut a piece of plywood to cover the top and used bungee cords to hold it on. 3. Bring a stick or something to push the lime down into the hopper when the lime doesn"t flow down.
But I have spread about 2 tons that way, so I know it works.

 

[Hotflashjr]

Check craigs list for a graden tractor pull behind drop spreader. I picked up a nice used Brinley pull behind spike aerator/drop spreader for $50 this past summer. The thing works great behind the ATV and garden tractor.

 

[tg in VA]

I use my 3 pt spreader with no problems. However, it does cover everything including the tractor and operator with lime. I've never had a flow problem. You do need to wash everything pretty good after you finish, paying particular attention to the circular spreader "table" which is prone to corrosion to the point it renders the spreader inoperable.

 

[johns48jdb]

if your lime is dry you might make it with a 3pt spreader. don't put much in it and cause it to pack down. you'll need a good agitator in the bottom of it to keep it broke loose. if your ground is real rough it will pack down and you'll need to carry a big stick to keep it broke loose with. pay the big truck to do it and spend your time riding around on your old jd and you'll have a pleasant day.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I have used a old gandy type fertilizer spreader to spread lime.

As other have said if lime is dry and you do not put too much in at a time, it worked well.

The old gandy type fertilizer spreaders spread the fertilzer more evenly I thought.

you put too much heavy material in those 3pt hitch spreaders and it can tear up the mixer.
If you borrow one to spread your lime, be careful or you could be buying one.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I bought an used E-Z-Flow drop spreader for 100 bucks. It's about 10 feet wide and holds about 1/2 ton of material at a time. I've even planted winter wheat with it in the past.

 

[backwoodsfarm]

I found a JD LF 8' drop spreader a few years back for a $150. I think I got a hell of a deal because it's all I use to spread powdered lime and fertilizer. It has an auger that keeps things moving around, and it will hold a lot of material. Seems to be a rare piece of equipment around here but with the price of a lime truck coming in, it's cheaper to use a tractor and spreader. This spreader puts out a nice even layer of whatever you want. It has different settings and a chart to help out. I've just about figured out how to set it for each individual fertilizer and lime to obtain the correct spread rate. I can't imagine a spin spreader could do as good of a job. Good luck in your search.

 

[Colin Brown]

Thanks to everybody for the information. My first choice would be the LF spreader, but they're pretty rare, especially here on the East coast. I've got a line on a reasonably-priced hopper spreader. I guess I'll buy it, get a load of aglime, and see if it will spread it. If not, I can always fall back to powdered limestone and a stick - my work clothes could probably use to be sweetened a bit :wink:

 

[Jerry/MT]

if you have something like dolomite lime, or a pelleted lime than a three point hopper spreader will work but for lime flour, you'll need a drop spreader.

 

[J.C.in AZ.]

I have seen some Old Order Amish spread Ag.Lime from the back of a Wagon useing a End Gate Seeder. In small Patches I've seen them use a 5 Gal.Bucket and a Campbells Soup Can.

 

[Clefus]

I have been tooling around with building one...semi manual labor but very cost effective...
I got plans for the spreader part..just got a IH dump truck chassis....

I only need to do about 30 acres at a time....quarry is 5 mile away..( if the lime specs out ok) and I can tow the buggy with my PU then pull to spread with the tractor....it will be spread at a ground driven rate...adjustable on the spreader....time will tell if im nuts or not..lol

 

[Kippster]

I have been known to put about 8 inches of manure in my spreader and then fill with lime and then top it over with manure again. Kind of like a cake with icing on. That worked ok for me. That"s with a conventional spreader.
If you can find an old Starline or JD side slinger spreader those work great if you have good chains with good irons on the ends. I spread LOTS of lime (like 260 acres worth) in the early 90"s with a starline sideslinger. Took some time, but we got it done! Just spread 90 degrees to the wind and wash out the spreader when you"re done.
This idea might be a little less expensive for your smaller applications.

 

[495man]

Tried a 10' eeze-flow style spreader in the past for lime...didn't work...lime has to be totally dry for it to work.