Newer Spreader versus County Line compact manure spreader

[Stacie]

I’m looking at compact manure spreaders. I like the New Spreader, but we can’t get up to the 7-8 miles per hour suggested to use it, due to the hilliness of my paddocks. Has anyone used it at lower speeds?
I just saw the County Line has a compact manure spreader as well. It’s not clear from the video how it breaks up the manure. Anyone know it it really breaks it up?

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr…r?cm_vc=-10005

It’s important for my situation that the manure be pulverized.

Edited to add: well nuts. I found the manual to the CountyLine and they suggest 10-16 MPH.

<sigh>

[kathy_s]

I bought my Newer Spreader in 2006 and it’s as tough as it gets. I clean 3 stalls per day, so I empty the spreader daily. I don’t pull that fast, so I think you’ll be fine.

[Bluey]

@Stacie

I’m looking at compact manure spreaders. I like the New Spreader, but we can’t get up to the 7-8 miles per hour suggested to use it, due to the hilliness of my paddocks. Has anyone used it at lower speeds?
I just saw the County Line has a compact manure spreader as well. It’s not clear from the video how it breaks up the manure. Anyone know it it really breaks it up?

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr…r?cm_vc=-10005

It’s important for my situation that the manure be pulverized.

Edited to add: well nuts. I found the manual to the CountyLine and they suggest 10-16 MPH.

<sigh>

That TSC one is an interesting manure spreader.
Seems that it would be a good one for just a few horses.
Not much to go wrong with it and no clogging with bigger stuff or hay.

[kbowski]

Have you looked around for used spreaders? I purchased a Millcreek at an auction for about 25% of the retail price. It might be worth some scouting.

[Stacie]

I’ve looked at the smaller Millcreek spreaders. They don’t have the extra part that breaks up the manure. Unless that’s an option that I’m just not seeing on the smaller spreaders. I need something with 2 wheels and that’s easy to maneuver. I think I should call the Newer Spreader folks.

[moving_to_dc]

I have a Newer Spreader, also. I have never pulled it at 6-7mph and it works just fine. Heck, I have snapped a leadrope on it and pulled it by hand before.

[stb]

I have a Newer Spreader and I didn’t even know it had a minimum speed. Clearly I never read the instructions. It works fine though, so I wouldn’t worry about the speed thing.

[Badger]

The TSC one looks exactly like the Newer Spreader but with a different agitator design, based on the video. The Newer Spreader has worked great for us for years, we just try to keep hay out of it.

[Guilherme]

I suspect that the reason there are “speed limits” on small spreaders is that if they are just ground driven all the energy going to the beater bar comes from forward motion. The bar needs sufficient energy to break up clumps.

Are there any small, PTO driven spreaders? That would solve the speed problem but mean they could only be used with a tow vehicle equipped with a PTO.

G.

[Stacie]

@Guilherme

Are there any small, PTO driven spreaders? That would solve the speed problem but mean they could only be used with a tow vehicle equipped with a PTO.

That would be perfect if we HAD a PTO :lol:
Our tractor is a Ventrac, which we bought because our property has 30 degree grades (58% grade) and I really didn’t want to worry about DH rolling the tractor. The Ventrac has no PTO.

BTW…
DH loves the Ventrac. it goes everywhere and mows around trees and rocks so we don’t have to weed-eat them. It’s articulated so the wheels always stay on the ground.

Here’s a video of a ventrac mowing a 30% slope
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEMA4R9U9CM

Here’s one bush-hogging a slope
https://www.ventrac.com/video/playlist/PL449E140CC0000705

[Bluey]

Maybe this is an option for those that need a mower and don’t want to push or ride one?

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

A radio controlled one, just think the places it can go a human would not.

[Cindyg]

Bumping this thread. Has anybody used both and can contrast? I have 1.5 horses, 1.5 acres, and I would like to be able to spread compost and shavings along with manure.

In the Newer Spreader line, the models 125 and 225 have adjustable openings. Is that worth paying more for if I’m spreading manure and shavings?

Many have commented that the Newer Spreader can’t handle straw, but does anybody know if the County Line spreader can?

[LCDR]

In response to your second question, I find the adjustable opening bar on my Newer Spreader 225 to be a valuable addition. Some shavings, notably the Tractor Supply “fine shavings” will not all make it through unless the openings are at maximum. The TSC “flaked” shavings are thinner and soft enough for the spreader to chop them up pretty well, and a smaller opening can be used.

As far as straw, my Newer spreader has no problem with limited amounts of uneaten alfalfa stems and pieces mixed with the manure and shavings. Also, I pick my pastures every few days, and end up with a considerable amount of pine straw mixed with the manure. The Newer 225 chops up the pine straw pretty well; I’ve not ever had to clean out pine straw clogs.

[lorilu]

I just read the reviews on the TS one. Does not look like a good purchase.

[gumtree]

@lorilu

I just read the reviews on the TS one. Does not look like a good purchase.

Doesn’t surprise me. Country Line products tend to be made on the cheap side of things to fit a price model. IMO not for everyday use, esp heavy duty use. Manure may not seem it would put that much strain on the machine. But can and does depends on things. I would spend the extra dollars it take to buy a well made machine. Or look for a well built used one.

[SusanO]

I have a friend that had a Newer Spreader. It did not handle hay at all. You would have to stop the spreader and remove the hay when it clogged up. She went on vacation and she told the farm sitter this explicitly. Well farm sitter clogged it up and tried to keep going and it killed the spreader. It was not fixable so she bought an ABI.

I bought an older Millcreek 75 bushel spreader off CL that had been sitting in a barn for 20 years. I did have to replace the axles recently but it is going strong and handles hay perfectly well/ Keep an eye on C/L!

[fancy.pants]

I had the County Manufacturing small spreader. The belt came off daily. The manufacturer could not seem to help. Even when the belt stayed on, it just dribbled the manure out. It did not pulverize it at all. Absolutely useless! Bought an ABI. A lot more $, but you get what you pay for. Great machine!

[Cindyg]

@fancy.pants

I had the County Manufacturing small spreader. The belt came off daily. The manufacturer could not seem to help. Even when the belt stayed on, it just dribbled the manure out. It did not pulverize it at all. Absolutely useless! Bought an ABI. A lot more $, but you get what you pay for. Great machine!

This is not the machine I’m talking about. The one I want doesn’t have a belt.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/countyline-compact-manure-spreader

[Cindyg]

These reviews (at TSC’s site) make me concerned about buying a used one. Obviously if you buy a new one and it simply doesn’t work, TSC will make it right. But if I buy a second-hand one (and the second-hand one I’m watching is brand new, still with tags, so untried; but still buying from a private seller)…and if it doesn’t work, I’ll have no recourse.

[Huntin_Pony]

@fancy.pants

I had the County Manufacturing small spreader. The belt came off daily. The manufacturer could not seem to help. Even when the belt stayed on, it just dribbled the manure out. It did not pulverize it at all. Absolutely useless! Bought an ABI. A lot more $, but you get what you pay for. Great machine!

I realize that this is not the machine that OP is considering BUT I have to say that I have had two County Mfg spreaders (moved up to larger one with more horses) and my experience is directly contrary to his/hers.

Chad is incredibly helpful, things are very easy and inexpensive to fix and they last forever. YMMV