Tow-Behind Drum Compost Spreader

10 years ago

I'm thinking of building one of these and looking for plans and ideas. If anyone has links I'd appreciate it.

There is not much on the web. You can buy a push type drum:

http://www.amazon.com/Peak-Seasons-Green-Compost-Spreader/dp/B00J31Y3VE/ref=sr_1_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1398117842&sr=1-1&keywords=compost+spreader

Or a very expensive pull behind spreader that would be perfect but starts at $1500.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAJCtOMZR_g

I envision a drum like this riding on a simple frame of box or round steel tubing with 4 rubber tires. Actually now that I think about it, it can't ride on two sets of tires because they have to turn in opposite directions. Which is why the Mega Mesh Smart Spreader just has caster type rear wheels. So there would have to be an axle in the drum like they have, or else idler wheels that don't touch the ground.

I thought about using some bike wheel rims for the drum structure. The ends would have to be closed in, maybe some 55 gal drum lids?

Any ideas most welcome.

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Comments (10)

Lloyd
10 years ago
The units from the Stablers would not work well for compost. The mesh openings are too large. It's perfect for manures though.

We built our own push spreaders similar to your first link with the intention of making a towing unit to hook them up in tandem. Never got around to it and most urban lawns couldn't handle the size anyways. A single roller works great for the average lawn. Hiring students to do the pushing is a great option as well.

Lloyd
toxcrusadr
Original Author
10 years ago
I have a half acre or more of grass at my rural property and access to sifted compost from the city for cheap, plus my fairly good sized suburban yard. I get what you mean with the mesh size and will be customizing it accordingly. Hopefully I can find a local source for the mesh. I was thinking maybe a welding and metal supply shop. They can usually get stuff.

Maybe I don't need to lift it up and let the tires drive it, I could just let it run on the ground like the push models. It would be easier to fill too, being lower, and I could make it big enough that it would cover a good long row before it was empty.
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Lloyd
10 years ago
Rolling on the ground is the easiest to engineer and build but it has to be filled at the job site in the position where you want to start spreading. IOW, no travelling to spread site once it is filled.

Lloyd
Lloyd
10 years ago
Maybe modify something like this?

Lloyd
toxcrusadr
Original Author
10 years ago
That's a beast Lloyd, wonder what they use that for? Maybe tow it behind a tractor to shape driveway gravel?

I thought about the on/off issue, the fancy ones have a way of disconnecting the drum from the drive wheels so you can drive back to where you left off. I haven't thought up a simple way to do that. I wish I was a welder, this would be easier. As it is I'll have to beg friends or hire someone. I still think it would be cheaper than buying though.
Lloyd
10 years ago
It's to push the windrow down when cutting the canola.

Having a person that can weld and the equipment is real nice when dreaming up new contraptions. Equally important is a person that can take a concept and somehow come up with a viable plan. It's not easy and I can't do it.

Lloyd
toxcrusadr
Original Author
5 years ago
Old thread and I'd still like to do this and still having ideas about how.

Some of the commercial ones, and DIY ones I've seen, have a lever/handle that disengages the rotary action of the drum. I'm thinking it lifts the drum off the drive wheels. You would probably want to do the lifting with that lever before filling with the next batch so it's a lot lighter. Dropping it down to start spreading would be comparatively easier since you're not lifting the load but lowering it.

Here's a DIY one that uses a small cable winch to lift and lower the drum. Similar to a boat winch you'd mount on a trailer.
toxcrusadr
Original Author
5 years ago
That lever between the front wheels.
whaas_5a
5 years ago
Build two and I'll buy one
whaas_5a
5 years ago
I found the newer mode 225 spreader for compost. Still expensive though!

Tow-Behind Drum Compost Spreader

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Tow-Behind Drum Compost Spreader

Comments (10)

Lloyd

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