lime spreader truck operation

[Scottnj1]

I"m building my sandy, wore out, 26 acres of dirt with a couple thousand yards per year of compost I"m making. I just put into service a 1970 lime spreader truck to spread lime and compost. Spreading my compost, I"m not all that concerned with , I"m concerned that when I spread my lime, I want to get somewhat even coverage. What suggestions could you folks who have actually used this equipment give that would help me to get even coverage of lime. Is there more to it than spread in two directions?

 

[Piddletime_SC]

I am absolutley of no value as far as answering your question, but I am intrigued as to how you are making several thousand yards of compost per year. That is cool!! Do you mind saying??

 

[paul]

Ditto that, my soil is 6.3-8.2 ph (only 2 samples showed 6.3, most is 6.9-7.5), so we don't use lime around here, don't even know what a lime truck spreader looks like, but curious how you make that much compost in a year, where it's coming from.

--->Paul

 

[randallinMo]

If it's an actual lime spreader body that you have on this truck, it should have a scale on the side of the adjustable slide gate in the back. The manufacturer will be able to tell you how to calibrate the scale. Contact the manufacturer. You could also set up some catch pans to weigh the amount of material collected as you spread. THis will be very accurate in the future as long as you don't go changing the variables. I can tell you how to do this if needed.

 

[Scottnj1]

The truck doesn"t have a scale that I"ve found, but it does have an adjustable gate. Pics of the truck and some compost can be seen on flickr. my handle there is srtphotos. Just searching compost will get you there also.

As for how I make a couple (not several) thousand yd3/yr. I get leaves and all other organic stuff from local municipalities. They dump for free which saves them tipping fees. I get spoiled grain from a local elevator. Put the two together, water, mix, repeat. COMPOST

 

[sdc eastern ia.]

#1 is it mechanical or a hydraulic unit?
#2 ag lime is around 80-90 pounds per cubic foot dry so how much do you want to put on per acre? I worked for Kraus for 25 years and right now run a new leader machine on a tyler floater. Need to know what the spreader is on.

 

[Scottnj1]

The spreader is pto driven (mechanical) on a about 1970 Chevy C-40 Chassis. I appreciate your willingness to help.

I'm looking to lay down one ton per acre.

 

[Piddletime_SC]

Thanks for sharing, sounds like you got a good deal going, hope you get it all set up right. Good Luck!

 

[sdc eastern ia.]

Ok 2000 lbs per acre. I recommend double spreading any lime 1 2 or 3 ton per acre. 43560 ft per one acre. Fertilizer is usually spread 60 ft. (older machines) so you drive 726 ft for one acre. I'd mark that distance off and test drive it probably 1st gear high side as you will be driving faster because you are applying only 1000 lbs. Test your turning skills to turn on 60 ft. Start with a 5 inch gate opening 1st gear high side and see how it works out. 726 ft 1000 lbs. load light the first load assuming you load at a quarry, if not I'll need the dimmensions of your spreader and the make would be helpful. I don't suppose the box has a 2 speed gear box on it. One rev on the gear box at 5 inches should put out between 200 and 250 lbs of lime. If you are happy with what you are putting on then do the whole field then go between your tracks. This will give an even application and you will be much happier. Let me know
Remember 1/2 rate is 1000 lbs and you need to cover the field twice this includes the end rows.

 

[gbs]

unless your spreader has a wide chain for litter the compost could give feeding issues same goes for lime wrong chain can be a pain, if it's to wide it will overload with wet lime,to narrow lime will bridge over and quit feeding onto the chain.

 

[Dave Sherburne NY]

I used to spread fertilizer back in the 90's I was taught to do it as stated above
"If you are happy with what you are putting on then do the whole field then go between your tracks. This will give an even application" NOT spread field one direction and re-spread at 90 degrees

 

[showcrop]

Some spreaders that I have used run the spinners from PTO and the apron chain from a tire that drops down on one of the tires of the spreader. So as you speed up or slow down the apron chain speeds up or slows down keeping delivery even.