Best Tow Behind Spreader

Putting down seed or fertilizer across a decent sized lawn or field can be laborious. A good broadcast spreader can easily handle smaller jobs, but for larger projects a tow behind spreader is recommended. The best tow behind spreaders combine large capacity hoppers with big 10ft spread widths to quickly distribute materials. These spreaders are mounted on large pneumatic tires and have solid steel frames to help them absorb the bumps and bruises encountered when towing them over varied terrains.

Best Tow Behind Spreader

A good tow behind drop spreader can reduce the labor involved with your lawn and garden tasks. It can be used to spread fertilizer or seed without you having to walk over your acreage and hand-broadcast fertilizer or seed. Perhaps a little more importantly, it prevents the possibility of your protective glove developing a hole and your skin coming in contact with the fertilizer.

Even though walking is good exercise, if you have a large lawn or garden area, you can save your energy and time by towing a drop spreader behind your four-wheeler, riding lawn mower, or mini-tractor. Properly calibrated, your drop spreader will also spread the fertilizer or seed evenly – something that it takes quite a bit of practice to achieve when seeding by hand. The quality and features of tow behind spreaders can vary dramatically. These are some of our favorites.

Best Tow Behind Drop Spreader

This tow behind spreader from Chapin is sturdy and has solid construction to keep it working season after season. Users liked the easy to adjust seed gate and the auto stop impeller that ensures no fertilizer is distributed if the spreader is stationary. Its major drawback seemed to be an inability to handle fine materials such as powders or light seeds, as everything needs to be pelletized for this spreader.

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Aside from not meshing with zero turn mowers, the Spyker Pro is a solid, serviceable spreader that boasts a large 175 lb capacity. The Spyker Pro is not fancy, but it gets the job done and functions well with whatever is placed in its hopper. Stainless steel components help ensure its durability over multiple seasons.

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Budget Choice: Tow Behind Drop Spreader

Earthway has our vote for best budget spreader with smart tradeoffs between price and components. With a purchase price that trails far behind models like the Spyker Pro, it still gets the job done without a lot of fuss. With the lower cost it does seem to have a shorter life expectancy than some of the other spreaders, but it is fine for light use.

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Tow Behind Drop Spreader Buyer’s Guide

Users that have tried to tackle a large seed or fertilizer job with a broadcast spreader will be pleasantly surprised to see the capacity and capabilities of the best tow behind spreaders. Attach these spreaders to your lawn mower, tractor, or ATV using a common hitch and then broadcast seed or fertilizer across the entire field quickly. When shopping for a tow behind spreader users have lots of options. We recommend they focus on these features to find the best fit for their needs.

Hopper Capacity

A main determinant of how long a project takes will be the capacity of your tow behind spreader’s hopper. The hoppers on these spreaders are usually made from polyurethane and have surprisingly large capacities extending up over 100 lbs. Look for a model that has a clump screen on it to break down particles as they enter the hopper and a rain cover to protect the hopper contents once loaded.

Flow Control

Distributing seed or fertilizer can also often require precision so look for a spreader that has good flow control. The best spreaders will be sure to evenly distribute the fertilizer on each side so that strips do not appear in your lawn. Flow control is also important when starting and stopping a job. Most models offer handles to open and close the flow of fertilizer along with sized gates that can be used to determine how much seed or fertilizer is distributed.

Durability

Being dragged behind in a field all day while distributing microscopic fertilizer particles is a recipe for disaster when it comes to components. The dirt and dust can cause components to degrade quickly while the bumps work to jostle free assembled pieces. Look for a spreader with a solid steel frame and a good paint job that will help prevent rust. Similarly, search for a hopper with stainless steel components so that it will last year after year. Before buying a tow behind spreader take some time to consider how and how often you will be using it. Consider the fields you will be traveling and how varied the terrain is. Also it is important to think about what sort of vehicle you will tow the spreader with, as some models are incompatible with zero turn mowers. Below are five of the best tow behind spreaders for you to consider. Any of the spreaders in this review can get most jobs done right, but some have particular features that might make them more or less suited for your needs. Some have more features than others, but all these spreaders are highly recommended and capable.

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Tow Behind Drop Spreader Reviews

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Chapin International Spreader

Key Points at a Glance

• Stops spreading when not in motion (Auto-Stop Dual Impeller)- Bronze bearing on Axle and Gear box, oil impregnated to help prevent friction- Professional quality heavy duty trailer hitch- Powder coated steel frame- Made in USA

Dimensions and Specs

Capacity150 pounds- 11 gate adjustment settings to vary application- 14” wide tread pneumatic tires

Chapin International is a certified expert in sprayers, spreaders, and anything related to seed and weed. The company is located in Batavia, New York and they boast a number of best selling sprayers and spreaders. Their tow behind spreader has a big 150 pound hopper capacity thanks to its sturdy steel frame and heavy duty trailer hitch. The spreader rides nicely on large, 14” pneumatic tires. It has a spiked auger and 11 incremental settings for varying applications. An auto-stop impeller does a good job of making sure it doesn’t spread when not in motion.

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Yard Commander Spreader

Key Points at a Glance

• Rust proof hopper, with cover- Heavy-duty gears- Metal parts, little plastic

Dimensions and Specs

125 pound capacity- 60-Liter Hopper- 12 inch Pneumatic tires- Made in China

Yard Commander gives users a slightly smaller, more compact option with this 125 pound tow behind broadcast fertilizer spreader. It has a heavy duty metal gear to keep everything running smoothly and a flow rate controller that can be accessed from the driver’s seat. The spreader has a 10-12 foot spread width and can couple quickly with an ATV or garden tractor. The hopper comes with both a screen and a rain cover.

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Spyker Pro Series

Key Points at a Glance

• Large, pneumatic tires- Control flow handle- Not for use with zero turn lawn mowers- Made in USA

Dimensions and Specs

175-pound capacity- Solid, Stainless steel axle- Universal tractor hitch

Sporting stainless steel bolts and a solid stainless steel axle, the Spyker Pro Series tow behind spreader uses quality components with exceptional durability that won’t rust. The large hopper has a 175 lb capacity and a strong polyurethane construction to keep it from cracking or splitting. It comes with a clump screen and has an available rain cover. The wheels are large and air filled to keep them rolling over varied terrain.

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EarthWay 2050TP Estate Tow Spreader

Key Points at a Glance

• Extended wheelbase for stability- Non-skid tires- Adjustable flow control with Patented even-spread technology- Three-hole drop system- Red bin, black framework- Made in USA

Dimensions and Specs

Pneumatic tires with 10in diameter- 80 pound Capacity- 1900 cubic inch hopper- Side-spread control

EarthWay produces a solid lineup of golf course spreaders and they bring that same ‘Ev-n-Spred” 3-hole drop system design to ensure that fertilizer is evenly distributed to the left and right in the same proportions. This helps eliminate the green stripes that some other spreader can leave in a lawn.

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Agri-Fab Broadcast Spreader

Key Points at a Glance

• Tow Behind Broadcast Spreader- On-off control with rod-link and precise settings- Tapered gears in an enclosed gear box- Optional hopper grate and cover available- Universal hitch attaches quickly

Dimensions and Specs

Capacity130 pounds- Large 13” diameter tires- Wide wheel base- 10-12 ft Spread Width

If you are spreading on varied terrain then this Agri-Fab model is worth considering. This tow behind spreader has a wide wheelbase and large 13” diameter tires that keep the spreader stable. The poly hopper is rustproof and has a big 130 pound capacity that can cover 25,000 sq ft. This spreader has an on-off flow gate that is rod activated and can be operated from the tractor seat to give users increased control when spreading. The gearbox is enclosed to keep it clean and running smoothly.

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Conclusion

Tow-behind spreaders need to precisely distribute seed or fertilizer while still being sturdy and durable enough to survive being dragged over fields. Most spreaders couple a steel frame with a poly plastic hopper and mount the entire thing on pneumatic tires. Models tend to differentiate less in construction and more in the minor components that hold the hopper together, distribute seed, and control the flow. Tow behind models can take a beating as they get dragged through the field, so look for a model that can withstand the test of time and is built to last or you might find yourself shopping for a spreader again after just a few seasons. These tow behind spreaders are built for big jobs, for smaller jobs around the home consider a broadcast spreader.