Manure Spreader Tips and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What does a manure spreader do?
A. A manure spreader is a bin on wheels that breaks apart muck and other materials to allow them to be evenly deposited on soil where they can decompose into natural nutrients.
Q. How does a manure spreader work?
A. An axle or “beater bar” is located inside the bin next to an open slot in the floor. Attached to the axle is a series of beater arms or paddles. When the axle turns, the paddles break up the material and direct it toward the opening where it is deposited evenly on the soil.
Q. What turns the beater bar?
A. Smaller Manure Spreaders are powered by a ground drive. Larger Compact Manure Spreaders and commercial manure spreaders are driven by a PTO.
Q. What’s the difference between a Ground Drive and a PTO?
A. A Ground Drive simply allows the wheels moving over the ground to provide all the power necessary for the spreading system to operate. A PTO (“Power Take Off”) uses a shaft connected to a special mechanism on larger tractors to turn the manure spreader devices. The turning motion of the PTO shaft drives the mechanisms in the implement.
Q. How far - and wide - does a Millcreek Manure Spreader spread?
A. The Model 27, our most popular small sized manure spreader, propels material about 6 feet behind the manure spreader. This greatly depends on the moisture content and particle size. Wood shavings are typically a bit drier and tend to spread a shorter distance. Heavy wet material with a lot of straw content spreads about 5 to 7 feet behind the manure spreader. The width of the spreading pattern is about 1 foot wider than the manure spreader on each side. In other words, if the manure spreader is 3 feet wide, the spreading pattern will be about 5 feet wide.
Spreading Widths (approximate)
Models 27, 37 = 4.5'
Model 57, 77 = 5'
Model 97 = 6.5'
Q. Can I use my manure spreader in any season?
A. Yes, Millcreek manure spreaders can be operated any time of the year. However in rainy, muddy, snowy, or icy weather the traction for the tractor or ATV may be a problem. It may be necessary to delay spreading until the ground dries out.
Note: Please make sure that material is not frozen in the Spreader; if this occurs, damage may result.
Q. What happens to the manure after it’s spread on the soil?
A. The machine breaks its contents into small pieces as it is spreading. These dry much faster than droppings left by horses in the pasture. Dried manure attracts fewer flies and is less hospitable to parasites. Over time it decomposes through natural microbial action. It is absorbed by the soil, and provides the soil with the vital natural nutrients needed in order to support new growth.
Q. What about mixing in other materials?
A. Straw, hay, wood chips, sawdust and shavings are frequently used for bedding. Wood is good. But too much may be harmful. Raw wood shavings and sawdust tend to draw nitrogen from the soil if coverage is too heavy in a given area. That’s an undesirable result. One goal of fertilizing is to return nitrogen to the soil. So, if you see pasture grass beginning to yellow where you have applied manure mixed with wood shavings or sawdust, the reason may be an excess of the wood elements. The grass will recover eventually. But allow some time to pass before spreading again on grass that has turned discernibly yellow.
Q. How many acres of meadow do I need for one horse?
A. One acre of land will typically handle the manure from 2-3 horses, depending on the size of the horse. This allows manure to dry and decompose in one area while you spread in a different area. Then the cycle of coverage can begin again.
Q. Why, when I’m spreading, does material seem to be spraying forward?
A. Two things. First, try to make sure the manure is dry enough. Wet manure is sticky, and can sometimes tend to cling to the beater paddles too long as it spins. Second, believe it or not, driving into any available wind is a big help. The Millcreek end gate can be used to deflect any forward spray.
Q. How large a manure spreader do I need?
A. It varies depending upon the number of horses you have, the distance to your field, and your personal preferences. The larger the manure spreader, the less often you’ll have to drive it to the field to empty its contents. If your field is a considerable distance from your stable, a larger manure spreader will save time.
Here is a rough guide that works for most situations:
Model 27 for 1-4 horses
Model 37 for 4-6 horses
Model 57 for 5 to 10 horses, hobby farms.
Model 77 for 11 to 20 horses, hobby farms.
Model 97 for 20 horses or more, larger stables, hobby farms, small working farms.
A Millcreek representative can help you more accurately determine which Millcreek Manure Spreader is right for you. You can call toll free, from 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern Time: 1-800-311-1323 or email at anytime.
Q. What size tractor will I need?
A. Click here to view the Millcreek comparison chart showing horsepower requirements for each Millcreek Manure Spreader model.
Be sure to confirm that the manure spreader model you choose matches your tractor’s capabilities when you talk to your Millcreek dealer or sales representative.
Q. As a person who is short of stature, will I have difficulty loading manure into my manure spreader?
A. No. Our Manure Spreaders are designed with tapered sides, low enough to make loading convenient and easy for nearly all adults. Compare these lifting heights to your own height to make sure the model you select will work comfortably for you.
Side (lifting) heights by model:
Models 27 and 37 = 26.5"
Models 57 and 77 = 36"
Model 97 = 39 "
Q. What about pricing?
A. Contact us to get exact pricing, availability and dealer information for your needs and location.