My very tired rotor spreader is likely on its last year, I’m toying with the idea of moving to a different type of spreader. I’d be buying a used machine on a lowish budget, I’m not shy of a few repairs if needed. Has anyone else moved from a rotor spreader? Any recommendations? Or should I stick with what I know? Mostly spread well rotted muck, occasionally more liquid stuff. Thanks
Moving on from a rotor spreader?
- Thread starter Magik22
- Start date
Nearly
Member
- Location
- North of York
West Dual Spreader
Hire rear discharge. £120 a day and move a lot of muck
Hire rear discharge. £120 a day and move a lot of muck
spin cycle
Member
- Location
- north norfolk
i'm in a similar position trouble is....for all their faults.....rotospreaders are cheap,simple,easy and plenty about
deleted user 837354
Member
This.
For £120 a day it does make you wonder if it's worth buying them. For rotted muck and semi solids it's great.
I tried old duel spreaders when I moved from using a rota spreader, they are ok if you have no stones in the dung, I found even small ones in the wrong place would stop it, I ended up with an Keenan orbital which has been good, one of the best things with it is because the dung is pushed forward there is always plenty of drawbar weight so good on sloping ground
Courier
Member
- Location
- M62 - M1 - M18 triangle
1 x medium (8T) rear discharge with one tractor and man will do the work of at least 3 same size tractors and rotaspreaders..
Got rid of my rota spreader a good while back now either hire a 12 ton richard Western rear beater machine for £110 a day can do all my muck in a day onto stubbles or let the contractor come with 2 12 ton machines and loader for £120 an hour 4 hours he,s done
Slippery Slope
Member
Moved from a rotor spreader to a Shelbourne Reynolds and no regrets purely based upon what I can shift in a day. It’s a very different machine to use though and took a bit of mastering especially on our steep ground. It makes a really nice job of anything that’s well rotted. Problems can occur when you have some strawy stuff mixed in with a mostly liquidy load because the straw will block the door temporarily until you raise it which can then let out too much in one spot. As said though once you master the machine you can predict these things and get over it.
One other thing I liked was how well the spreader pulls given how much bigger it is than the old rotor spreader.
One other thing I liked was how well the spreader pulls given how much bigger it is than the old rotor spreader.
Boydvalley
Member
- Location
- Bath
Put the muck in the fields you want it in Get a contractor in with a loading shovel so they load quick by far the cheapest way if you value your time. They can half shift some muck these days. Keep your rotor spreader for the little bits
Thanks for the replies. I’ve hired in a rear discharge before, very impressive and definitely cheaper than having my own machine, But it is a big machine, I’ve got a lot of steep ground which I wouldn’t dare take a fully loaded rear discharge on. If the grounds a bit soft even the rotor spreader can be interesting at times. It might be better on a bigger tractor but I’ve got 120hp available. A west dual 1300 looks fairly compact or shelbourne Reynolds?
At the moment I can make the time to go and spread the dung, if in the future I find my time better spent elsewhere I would look at contractors. If I did that now it would just be another invoice to pay that could’ve been avoided. Not to mention I enjoy the job!
At the moment I can make the time to go and spread the dung, if in the future I find my time better spent elsewhere I would look at contractors. If I did that now it would just be another invoice to pay that could’ve been avoided. Not to mention I enjoy the job!
Slippery Slope
Member
Our Shelbourne Reynolds is a 1600 and we pull it with a NH6020 (112hp?). No problem on the flat, could sometimes do with a bit more poke when spreading on a hill. Wests are a heavier machine but they do as you say do a 1300 model.
- Location
- The North
when my rotor died hired a rear discharge £10 per hour of £85 a day unbelievable how much better they spread and take less power to drive no brainer...
- Location
- South Molton
We have a Sherborne and it handles what we spread where we want it well.
Spreads well rotted FYM on grassland between silage cuts really well.
We only spread straight from the house muck onto land to be ploughed as it can, like most machines, leave lumps.
We have also made a lid so we can fill it with slurry. I made a stopper for the door ram so it only opens to a set position for ease of use.
Its 8 seasons old now and still doing its job. Have done a few bearings and replaced spreader wear plates plus other bits.
I like the fact the door opens vertically so you spread with the full width. We can also spread right down over steep ground without the need to go onto it.
Had a Ktwo hired in last autumn and wasn't impressed with its spread pattern at all. Left too many lumps.
Spreads well rotted FYM on grassland between silage cuts really well.
We only spread straight from the house muck onto land to be ploughed as it can, like most machines, leave lumps.
We have also made a lid so we can fill it with slurry. I made a stopper for the door ram so it only opens to a set position for ease of use.
Its 8 seasons old now and still doing its job. Have done a few bearings and replaced spreader wear plates plus other bits.
I like the fact the door opens vertically so you spread with the full width. We can also spread right down over steep ground without the need to go onto it.
Had a Ktwo hired in last autumn and wasn't impressed with its spread pattern at all. Left too many lumps.
That’s what bugs me about a rotor spreader, always seems to draw a lot of power unnecessarily. That and going from a snails pace to bouncing out of the seat to try and keep an even spread pattern. However, as already said, they are cheap and easy to come by!
glasshouse
Member
- Location
- lothians
And there when u need them!!
Everyone wants a hire on the same day
I can recomend a keenan orbital spreader for well rotted stuff and semi liquid
- Location
- Yorkshire
Agro Spread T6 Rear Discharge Muck Dung Spreader 6 ton £14,250 + VAT | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Agro Spread T6 Rear Discharge Muck Dung Spreader 6 ton £14,250 + VAT at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!
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- Location
- Anston Farm, Dunsyre
Similar dilemma here several years ago
Steep hills, 120hp, and the barrel spreader was getting past it's best
After hiring/borrowing rear and side discharged machines, I bought the only machine that will spread anything from fresh straw court dung to liquid hen shyte
Not the biggest, not the most expensive, but I find it definitely the simplest and most versatile upgrade
Steep hills, 120hp, and the barrel spreader was getting past it's best
After hiring/borrowing rear and side discharged machines, I bought the only machine that will spread anything from fresh straw court dung to liquid hen shyte
Not the biggest, not the most expensive, but I find it definitely the simplest and most versatile upgrade
About a small as you can get if you look around you might find a 2nd hand oneAgro Spread T6 Rear Discharge Muck Dung Spreader 6 ton £14,250 + VAT | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Agro Spread T6 Rear Discharge Muck Dung Spreader 6 ton £14,250 + VAT at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!www.ebay.co.uk
It would take a long time at £120 per day hire charge to see your money back on these rear discharge spreaders, I have a rotor spreader which I use in the winter for passage scrapings, maybe a load or 2 a week but I hire in a rear discharge at the end of summer when I need to spread big loads from cleaning out the sheds, 2 days and it’s done for a cost of £250.
- Location
- Yorkshire
It's a investment to cant say you do 120days with it then it's scrap it still has a value. I also don't want to spread all my years muck in two days can't do with all the ground covered
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