Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I was looking through the Craftsman attachments page and noticed they have some videos for their attachments.  Here is the attachments page.   Here is the video for the spreader I was looking for.  I'm almost set on the 85lb. broadcast spreader, but I really don't know what more I get other than a larger bucket to spread with on the 125lb. model.  I do have a 1/2 acre property.  I consider my purchase of a Craftsman tractor justified with all these attachments to choose from.   I really like the front end bucket, but I think Johnny Products are better.  It is raining like mad here and I need to get a jump on the weeds. 

Hey Marshall,

The price difference is $110.99.  The 85lb. model is $60.00 and the 125lb. model is $170.99.  I have a Scotts walk-behind spreader and I don't fill to to the max because of the weight.  I don't mind refilling, as that means more seat time.    The biggest Scotts bags usually come 47lbs, that I know of.   I do wonder if they incorporated a deflector so the spreadings don't get on the tractor.  If they didn't, I'll probably look elsewhere.  By looking at the video it seems there is something in place to prevent that, but it isn't too clear.  I'm pretty much sold on the 85lb. model. 

I have a Scotts tow behind spreader, it's an 80ish pounder, works good!

Marshall, does your spreader throw the "spreadings" fertilizer on the back of your tractor?  I think that is an opportunity for rust. 

AJace wrote:
No, it absolutely does not. If it did, I wouldn't ever use it.

Hey guy's I don't do to much fertilizing, but a friend of mine at work does. He was telling me he likes the kind of spreader that just drops it out the bottom and doesn't  throw it. The reason of being is because he just looks at his ruts and know right where he left off and knows he is'nt missing any spots. I'm thinking about getting into if and doing it for some of my mowing customers. Does his reasons make good sense to you guys? I  was thinking hes right because you can't really be sure that the spreading kinda is getting it all even. I'm really trying to decide myself.         Later, Mike

Hi Mike,

For smaller areas, I prefer the drop spreader like your friend is speaking of. The advantage he brought up up is exactly why. But, for larger areas they're just don't cover enough ground. I prefer the broadcast spreader for those applications. It's surprisingly easy to tell where you ahve been when using fertilizer with a decent content of nitrogen because of the white color, sometimes yellow. But, the things like crabgrass preventer, which has very small particles and is of a color that blends in, is more difficult. In that case, I usually test to see how far it throws and then space that same distance.

I see what you are saying Marshall,plus I guess if I'm gonna do it for my customers I need one that is fast like the spreading type. Later Mike

I have pictures of my own version of the spreader.  Here they are. 



I added some felt to the tongue of the hitch so no paint is removed. 

Marshall, I was in Wal-mart today looking for some Scotts and I happened to walk by a Scotts spreader tow-behind.  Is this the model you have?   I pulled out my cell phone and you can guess what happened next by looking below. 

I finally took the spreader out today filled with Scotts Turf-Builder with Weed Control 2.  I started out with moist fertilizer, but didn't know it wouldn't come out until I started out on the lawn.  Off to Lowe's for some drier stuff.  Came back and filled the spreader.  Went out and did about 1/4 of the yard and looked back and the bucket was about empty.  Somehow the controller got set to around 6 and 2 1/2 is the recommended setting.  I pulled out the moist fertilizer I still had in the container and tried to spread that in the tow-behind.  It wouldn't work, so I got out the Scotts Walk-Behind and opened the setting up wider so it would disperse properly.  I think I got the job done, but now I worry that I might have ruined my lawn.  The best thing that could happen is that I need to mow everyday   Does anyone think I did something bad to my lawn?