Fertilizer Spreader

Overview

A fertilizer spreader broadcasts granular fertilizer evenly across a field by metering it out of a hopper and flinging it through spinning discs. This is a trailed twin-disc machine: it rides on its own Running Gear and is pulled by the tractor drawbar through the Frame & Hitch, so a large hopper load does not sit on the tractor's three-point linkage. Centrifugal disc spreading covers a wide swath cheaply, which is why it dominates dry granular application.

Even coverage is the whole challenge. Spread width can be many times the machine's own width, so the pattern from each disc has to overlap correctly with the previous pass, and the rate has to track ground speed precisely or the field gets striped.

How it works

Fertilizer sits in the Hopper Assembly, a tapered bin with an inlet sieve catching lumps and slow agitator paddles over each outlet that stop damp granules bridging. Flow leaves through the Metering System system, where a sliding gate over each outlet orifice sets the mass flow dropping onto the discs.

The granules fall onto the Twin Disc Unit: two contra-rotating stainless discs spun by hydraulic motors built on a Stator Assembly and Rotor Assembly through a Helical Gear Pair. Adjustable throwing vanes on each disc accelerate the granules outward and set the throw direction, producing a wide overlapping pattern between adjacent passes. Disc speed and vane setting together fix the working width.

Application rate is held accurate by the Rate Control System system. A GPS Receiver receiver gives position and ground speed, and the controller drives the gate actuators (switched through a Relay bank) to vary the opening so the rate stays on target as speed changes or follows a prescription map across the field. The operator monitors rate, coverage and hopper level on an in-cab LCD Panel display, and the spinning discs and driveline are enclosed by the Guards & Shields for safety.