Best fert spreader to buy s/h? Also pros /cons going 24m

[smet61]

Thinking of upgrading our 1989 vicon varispreader 12m to something that will do 24m and hold more than 1x 600kg bag.

Quality of the machine design, ease of use and accuracy are paramount.

We have 166 acres and all shapes of field. Do not want to overlap if that is possible in our price bracket.

What would you buy and why?

Thank you.

 

[SRRC]

I've just traded in a 2007 KRM/Bogballe L2 (for a new one with load cells). That's the sort of machine you want (at about £2500), it will go on forever and after a Varispreader you won't believe how accurate it is!

 

[An Gof]

Keep it very simple, no electrics. I would look for a good Lely/Tulip Centreliner. They're pretty bomb proof and very simple to use. The double overlap with a centreliner makes it very difficult to stripe fertiliser. I've had two and they were excellent. I currently run a KRM which is a good machine but for the scenario you describe I'm sure a centreliner would be more suitable

 

[Chrisw]

Keep it very simple, no electrics. I would look for a good Lely/Tulip Centreliner. They're pretty bomb proof and very simple to use. The double overlap with a centreliner makes it very difficult to stripe fertiliser. I've had two and they were excellent. I currently run a KRM which is a good machine but for the scenario you describe I'm sure a centreliner would be more suitable

Starting to share your view An Gof......I have a Kuhn Axis with rate controller and lets just say there were a few "issues" with the rate it put on compared to what it was supposed to apply.

 

[Headless chicken]

Bought a krm bredal last year

It's a dream compared to the tasker it replaced.

 

[David.]

If you can find a Sulky cheap that is not rotten it will spread accurately enough and you can adjust the drop point for varying products.
They are not made very heavy and do not like abuse from not washing regularly, but a clean loved one would be good for a few 100 pounds in a sale.
I would buy another on the strength of the spread quality, but I would look after the next one better.

 

[An Gof]

If you can find a Sulky cheap that is not rotten it will spread accurately enough and you can adjust the drop point for varying products.
They are not made very heavy and do not like abuse from not washing regularly, but a clean loved one would be good for a few 100 pounds in a sale.
I would buy another on the strength of the spread quality, but I would look after the next one better.

Get the "drop point" wrong and a Sulky will make a right mess.
Remember an expensive claim against some fert applied with a Sulky with horrendous striping due to dusty fert. Made me realise how sensitive they were to quality of product, on that basis I decided to avoid Sulky.

 

[An Gof]

Starting to share your view An Gof......I have a Kuhn Axis with rate controller and lets just say there were a few "issues" with the rate it put on compared to what it was supposed to apply.

Rate controller on my KRM M2 has been faultless (touch wood) always accurate even on variable rate applications for P & K.

Even use it successfully for applying slug pellets.

 

[Boysground]

Another vote for krm. Had 3 started simple now weigh cells and Isobus. Very pleased with them. All lasted well with few issues.

Bg

 

[yellow belly]

a modern spreader with gps on off and weigh cells and auto calibration may save a lot of overlapping and reduce the amount of fertiliser you use over a number of years this could save its cost even on a small area

this combined with using urea could pay for the spreader

urea is 15% cheaper than an and if field shapes are uneven 5 % less is used due to less overlap

 

[David.]

To be honest I do tray test new batches of fert and alter accordingly, have yet to have stripes when set properly following a tray test.
Unlike the ruddy awful ZAU that it replaced.

 

[Chae1]

Starting to share your view An Gof......I have a Kuhn Axis with rate controller and lets just say there were a few "issues" with the rate it put on compared to what it was supposed to apply.

Surely it's put wrong rate on because flow factor has been entered wrong or incorrect forward speed input? Both operator errors. Been spreading with our 9 year old quantron this week and spot on.

However I would avoid electric control machine as costly to repair. Actuator failed on mine. Had to replace both as old type no longer available. £1200 before labour.Luckily mechanic managed to open up and repair broken one. Priced to change machine and only got offered 2k for it as trade in!

Hope to keep it another 5 years and won't be owe us anything.

 

[Jim75]

Is there much to them on the inside for when one of mine inevitably go tits up @ Chae1

 

[Chae1]

Is there much to them on the inside for when one of mine inevitably go tits up @ Chae1

It was plastic part that moves on slide that failed. He glued it back on and so far so good. It's a bit stupid the original manufacturer won't supply them to anyone else but Kuhn. Kuhn have no old style ones left as they fit different style now. But original manufacturer still can't supply them.

Can't get shrink wrap cover for them anymore either so sealed up with grey tape.

DK electronics. Have fixed a friends actuators on kuhn several times.

 

[Kevtherev]

Amazone are a very good spreader.

 

[nick...]

Another vote for krm.i got a L 2 and its very accurate,but poverty spec.get the spread charts of the internet and pick ur speed and away you go.done 70 acres of wheat last monday and had 9kgs left over.mine just needs another ring on top so i can get 3 bags in it.maybe next year
Nick...

 

[Fergieman]

Whats the most accurate spraed pattern at 24m out of KRM, Amazone and Kuhn. Have KRM at the moment but for our type of fertiliser we would need to change vains between E2 and E6's at 24m, currently at 20m and spread everything with E2's. Have seen some good strips with KRM's at 24m. Maybe just operator error

 

[Renaultman]

I have a Kuhn MDS1142W pretty much bomb proof and accurate full overlap but with headland management on a hydraulic ram. I can get it all where I want. Only issue has been agitator bushes. You can pick them up fairly cheap second hand now too,

 

[Collie lovers]

Surely it's put wrong rate on because flow factor has been entered wrong or incorrect forward speed input? Both operator errors. Been spreading with our 9 year old quantron this week and spot on.

However I would avoid electric control machine as costly to repair. Actuator failed on mine. Had to replace both as old type no longer available. £1200 before labour.Luckily mechanic managed to open up and repair broken one. Priced to change machine and only got offered 2k for it as trade in!

Hope to keep it another 5 years and won't be owe us anything.

 

[Collie lovers]

Paint finish on an Amazone hard to beat , had one for about 20 years then replaced it with another one . Good machine.