Horse-Drawn Drum Spreads Manure Better

Horse-Drawn Drum Spreads Manure Better MANURE HANDLING Equipment Spreading composted manure is a key component of market gardens and Schaff mat Päerd SmP has a better way to do it The Luxembourg-based non-profit has developed new pieces of horse-drawn equipment and harness Vol 41 No 6; Vol 40 No 3; Vol 40 No 1 that are more efficient and easier on the animal The SmP Bio-Stree 1 1 is a prototype design to evenly spread compost and other materials across a 4-ft width “Conventional manure spreaders only offer a coarse spreading and non-uniform distribution ” says Paul Schmit SmP “The Bio-Stree is designed to evenly spread compost and mulch ” The spreader consists of a stainless steel expanded metal drum suspended between 2 large drive wheels The drum has a capacity of more than 1 870 lbs and a spreading rate of 3 to 4 tons per acre The design was initially based on a rotary spreader developed by The Stablers Waterloo Ind for use with ATV’s or small tractors Vol 28 No 6 It had small wheels with front-mounted drive wheels SmP was authorized to develop a horse-drawn version However the heavy frame and small wheels simply didn’t work according to Schmit “We did a complete redesign over 2 winters ” he says “We went with the tubular frame and direct-drive from bigger wheels ” Changes included 44-in dia carry/drive wheels and the double-sided direct drive transmission with freewheel hubs and built-in clutches The hitch is a forecart previously developed at SmP Schmit explains that the direct-drive is more efficient than drive wheels with chains or belts The increased efficiency combined with the large wheels allows SmP to use smooth rib treads instead of a lug tread This in turn contributes to efficiency with less rolling resistance The new design works well when used on both pasture and tilled ground notes Schmit Tractive effort for the horse with a loaded drum was considered light on pasture and only medium on tilled ground While spreading rates cannot be adjusted during the spreading operation scraper bars can be mounted inside the drum to adjust the discharge rate As the drum turns the rolling clumps of compost or manure are shredded as they fall against the abrasive diamond edges of the drum skin “The best spread is produced when the drum is filled 3/4 full ” says Schmit “We found that clogging or jamming of the spreader is impossible Only very wet compost tends to clump into fist-thick balls and if too many accumulate they may need to be removed between loads ” Compost is loaded through a large lid equipped with 2 gas struts to assist when opening A pin on the rear frame when inserted through the mesh keeps the drum from turning during transport and loading “The Bio-Stree 1 1 is still considered a prototype in test stage but if we have enough interest we plan to manufacture a small batch of them this coming winter with Equi Idea an Italian company ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Schaff mat Päerd 27 rue de Brouch L-7481 Tuntange Luxembourg schaffmatpaerd@pt lu; www schaffmatpaerd com

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