The Best Tow-Behind Spreaders for Large Yards and Properties
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Anyone with a large lawn knows how difficult it is to care for and maintain the entire property. It certainly helps if you have the right tools. One of those tools is a spreader that you can use with a riding mover, small tractor, or even an ATV. These spreaders will speed up your work for applying grass seed, fertilizer, weed killer, or whatever you need to spread.
Using a tow-behind spreader can make the job much easier and quicker than manually spreading fertilizer or seeds. But with so many different brands and models on the market, it can be tough to choose the right one. In this article, we’ll cover the best tow-behind spreaders for your needs so you can pick the best one for your yard.
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The Best Tow-Behind Spreaders
1. Chapin 8620B
Chapin 8620B 150 lb Tow Behind Spreader with Auto-Stop
Chapin International is known for its innovative products, and the Chapin 8620B doesn’t disappoint. It has a large capacity with a sturdy tow-behind spreader.
The product is designed to withstand commercial use and you’ll love its auto-stop impeller, which stops spreading as soon as your vehicle stops. This feature helps to ensure minimal waste and excessive spreading in an area. The auto-impeller feature is hassle-free and automatic, so it speeds up your work process too.
The heavy steel frame makes it a durable and long-lasting product. The spreader also has impressive 14-inch pneumatic tires that will enable you to move on all kinds of terrain without trouble.
Its capacity of 150 pounds allows you to use the spreader for an extended time without a refill. Also, it comes with 11 different settings that you can choose from and easily pick the one you want through the gate adjustment settings.
The heavy-duty hitch and a wide-spreading width make the spreader best for large areas and professional usage, but it’s also suitable for maintaining a large residential property. With its huge capacity, it can easily fertilize a one-acre area in one go.
Verdict: This is one of the best solid and sturdy tow-behind spreaders, and it comes at a good value. The standout features that land the Chapin 8620B on the Best Tow-Behind Spreaders list are the auto-stop impeller feature that allows the distribution to stop when you stop, hopper design, and oversized tires.
2. Agri-Fab 45-0543
Agri-Fab 45-0543 100 lb. Tow Spiker/Seeder/Spreader
The Agri-Fab 45-0543 is undoubtedly one of the best all-around multi-purpose tow-behind spreaders available. It’s loved by both professionals and homeowners alike. A large lawn requiring regular care is where Agri-Fab 45-0543 truly shines.
This product is not just a spreader, but a three-in-one monster that allows you to break in and aerate the soil, spread granular herbicides, fertilizer, and insecticides, or seed vegetables and grass.
The product comes with a 130-pound hopper that quickly spreads fertilizers over half an acre without requiring a refill. The product has a universal hitch that you can connect to any lawn tractor or riding mower. This means that you can switch between different tractors or mowers with no problems.
It offers a spread width of about 10 feet, covering all you need to cover. It even allows you to spread it to the most challenging places, such as near hedges or walkways. The spreader is made up of a rustproof material, so there’s no fear of corrosion.
The hopper itself is made up of polyethylene, minimizing any rust formation or corrosion. The tow-behind spreader can be easily controlled with an on/off switch near the driver’s seat. A working swath of 32 inches adds further value, making it easy for you to cover more land faster.
The large pneumatic tires allow you to cover any terrain. The gearbox is fully covered, enhancing durability and preventing any fertilizer or stray seed from interfering with its work. All this makes it a reliable spreader with a long life.
Verdict: A basic and relatively easy-to-put-together pull behind broadcast spreader, it easily holds the stated weight (100 pounds). Overall, it’s a versatile, affordable product.
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3. Spyker Pro Series P30-17520 Tow Spreader
Spyker Pro Series Tow-Behind Spreader
The Spyker Pro Series P30-17520 Tow Spreader is a heavy-duty product. With a capacity of 175 pounds, you won’t need to refill the product repeatedly. The product is specifically designed for large lawns.
With such a huge capacity, you can quickly spread materials over an area of one acre or more. The product can be used on commercial properties, golf courses, and sports fields, in addition to large yards. It’s known for its versatility and durability. The product comes with a universal tractor fit, meaning it can be easily attached to any lawn tractor.
The product comes with a powder-coated steel welded frame. This adds to the durability of the steel, increasing the life span of the product. It also prevents rust and makes it corrosion-resistant.
The Spyker Pro Series P30-17520 is also chip-resistant and needs little maintenance. It has an enclosed metal gear system too, preventing any fertilizer or seed from entering the gear pit and damaging the workings. A rain cover is provided, preventing the product from getting damaged by rain.
The Accu-Way system in the Spyker Pro Series P30-17520 allows for an even spread pattern adjustment and distribution. The product has an impressive spread width of 12 feet and comes with an extended on/off lever that enables the user to control the material’s flow from the driver’s seat.
The product has 13-inch by 5-inch pneumatic turf tread tires, making it easy for you to use on almost all terrains. The hopper is made up of polyethylene, making it rustproof. Its versatile nature allows it to be used in all kinds of weather. It can be used to melt ice, spread fertilizers, and spread seeds as well.
Verdict: The high capacity (175 pounds) and widespread (12 feet) make this an excellent choice for maintaining a large property and puts the Spyker Pro Series P30-17520 on our Best Tow-Behind Spreaders list.
4. Brinly BS36BH Tow Behind Broadcast Spreader
Brinly BS36BH-A Tow Behind Broadcast Spreader with Weatherproof Cover and Universal Hitch
The Brinly BS36BH is a tow-behind spreader that simply does not compromise performance. With a 175-pound capacity, the product is best for homeowners with a large lawn or any kind of light commercial usage. With such a huge capacity, the spreader can spread fertilizers or seeds comfortably in a one-acre area, and possibly even larger.
The product is known for its versatility, which allows it to spread fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, salt, and other products. It features a changeable spreader that allows you to center pattern distribution. The directional pattern spread control allows you to spread things on all sorts of terrain.
The hopper is made up of polyethylene, making it insusceptible to rust and corrosion. The spreader comes with broadcaster technology, so the spreader will stop working as soon as the vehicle stops.
The broadcaster comes with pre-calibrated settings, allowing you to control the amount of spread in a particular place and help spreading in difficult places. The shaft, agitator, and hardware of the Brinly BS36BH are all made up of stainless steel to prevent any kind of corrosion.
We all want a sturdy and durable tow-behind spreader, and the Brinly BS36BH has everything you need. The product comes with 13.5-inch pneumatic tires, which enhance stability and provide easy use. This allows you to move on all kinds of terrain without trouble. The 12-foot spread makes it even more attractive.
The universal hook-up makes it easy for you to connect the spreader with any kind of lawn tractor or ATV. The axle is also made with stainless steel, featuring twin brushing bearings and well-protected gears to increase the product’s durability.
Verdict: The spreader seems to work well and is solidly built, which is a vast improvement over cheaper products. It has a good spread and rolls nicely. The lever stays in place, but it might vibrate over time.
6. Yard Commander Tow Broadcast Fertilizer Spreader
Yard Commander YTL-002-179 125 Pound Tow Broadcast Fertilizer Spreader
The Yard Commander is one of our Best Tow-Behind Spreaders because you can trust it to get the work done smoothly and efficiently without much waste of spread or time. The downside of this product is that it comes at a higher price than most of the others on our list.
The product comes with a universal hitch, enabling the product to attach to virtually any landscaping vehicle. It is one of the best fertilizer spreaders for lawn tractors. The product has a capacity of 125 pounds, which is more than enough to spread seeds on a large lawn, although not as big as some of the other spreaders covered here.
The hopper of the product is made up of corrosion-resistant materials. The Yard Commander comes with specific controls from which you can choose according to the type of material you’re spreading. It has a width of 10-12 feet with an adjustable flow rate.
The flow rate can be easily controlled from the driver’s seat, saving time and making work efficient. The wheels are designed to promote movement through all sorts of harsh terrains while supporting a heavy load, making it one of the most versatile all-season spreaders on the market.
The durability and the ability to move free-flow materials make the Yard Commander one of our favorites. The stainless steel hardware with a rust-resistant coat ensures that there will be no rust and damage from corrosion will be kept at a minimum.
The hopper is made up of polyethylene, which is durable, rust-free, and not prone to corrosion. An aluminum gear makes the gear durable and corrosion-free. The product is ideal for residential use, but it is durable enough for some commercial usage as well.
Verdict: The Yard Commander is a good, solid option when it comes to spreaders for your lawn needs.
Things To Consider When Buying A Tow-Spreader
Whenever you decide to buy a tow-behind spreader, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Hopper Material
Most of the hoppers of tow-behind spreaders are made up of either polyethylene or metal. Polyethylene protects it from rain and wind and is lighter and more durable than metal.
With time, however, polyethylene becomes brittle when exposed to sunlight for a long duration of time. Steel is also durable, but with time and contact with moisture, it becomes rusty and corrosion begins. So, it needs more maintenance.
Tires
Most of the time, people don’t realize the importance of tires in a tow-behind spreader. Tow-behind spreaders, like any of the wheeled landscaping vehicles, come with large wheels that are usually a size of 10 inches or more.
The important thing is to observe your tires and know what kind you use. Nowadays, no-flat tires have become popular due to their lack of maintenance, but they aren’t as easily maneuverable or stable as their pneumatic counterparts.
The pneumatic tires provide extra stability over challenging terrains. Large wheels not only make sure that distribution is not affected on uneven terrain but also improve the stability of the spreader.
Spreading Type and Effectiveness
With the constant innovation in technology, there are always going to be different types of spreaders, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
The most popular one is the broadcast spreader. It has a rotating plate underneath the hopper, which releases fertilizer or seeds effectively. They can be attached to a lawn tractor to spread material automatically but will stop as soon as the vehicle stops.
Another one is the drop spreader. They are simple machines that drop fertilizers or seeds as you move with them. They don’t have any rotating plates. So, they won’t be as effective as broadcast spreaders. Also, they will require open space as you drop material in a single line.
Controls
Certain spreaders require you to turn around and operate with a lever to stop or start the flow of the seeds or fertilizer. The better tow-behind spreaders allow you to operate conveniently from your driver’s seat. Some even have auto-stop functions.
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Final Thoughts on the Best Tow-Behind Spreaders
If you’re trying to manage a large yard or property, a tow-behind spreader is a must-have. It will save you countless hours of time for a price of only a few hundred dollars. The products listed here are the best tow-behind spreaders, and we are sure you’re able to identify the one that’s right for your needs.
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