Self-Propelled Manure Spreader
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When Linford Larson found a New Idea manure spreader rotting in the woods he decided to restore it in an unusual way. After restoring the floor and sides with wood sawn from trees on his farm, he motorized the spreader. Now it hauls him and friends and family in parades and special events.
"I mounted an 18-hp, UL two-cylinder engine from an old Deere combine in the front and welded a 1969 Ford truck rear end in place of the drive axle," explains Larson. "I put a reduction gear on the engine and ran a chain drive from it to a 1929 Model A Ford transmission. I then connected the transmission to the rear end with a 3-ft. universal joint."
To steer the spreader, Larson shortened the pole and then turned the axle around so the pole faced the rear. He mounted an old pontoon boat steering console next to the engine. Wire cables run through the floor to pulleys mounted below and connect to the pole.
"The spreader front axle had individual spindles with tie rods attached to the pole," explains Larson. "When I turn the steering wheel, the cables pull the pole to one side or another, moving the tie rods."
Larson hooked up the hydraulic brakes on the truck rear end, controlling the master cylinder with a hand lever. He also uses hydraulics to power a small motor on the spreader beaters. Hydraulic power is provided by a pump he runs off a sprocket on the engine that once powered the combine's unloading auger.
Larson added an old bus seat for passengers and built a canopy over the double seat. He added directional lights and taillights.
"The engine is a hand crank starter, but it runs like a top," says Larson. "My grandson and I carried the frame of the rotted spreader into the shop. There was so little left of it. Now we win prizes at parades and shows."
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Linford Larson, 10647 Wigwam Rd., Rosholt, Wis. 54473 (ph 715 677-3469).
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Self-Propelled Manure Spreader MANURE HANDLING Equipment When Linford Larson found a New Idea manure spreader rotting in the woods he decided to restore it in an unusual way After restoring the floor and sides with wood sawn from trees on his farm he motorized the spreader Now it hauls him and friends and family in parades and special events I mounted an 18-hp UL two-cylinder engine from an old Deere combine in the front and welded a 1969 Ford truck rear end in place of the drive axle explains Larson I put a reduction gear on the engine and ran a chain drive from it to a 1929 Model A Ford transmission I then connected the transmission to the rear end with a 3-ft universal joint To steer the spreader Larson shortened the pole and then turned the axle around so the pole faced the rear He mounted an old pontoon boat steering console next to the engine Wire cables run through the floor to pulleys mounted below and connect to the pole The spreader front axle had individual spindles with tie rods attached to the pole explains Larson When I turn the steering wheel the cables pull the pole to one side or another moving the tie rods Larson hooked up the hydraulic brakes on the truck rear end controlling the master cylinder with a hand lever He also uses hydraulics to power a small motor on the spreader beaters Hydraulic power is provided by a pump he runs off a sprocket on the engine that once powered the combine s unloading auger Larson added an old bus seat for passengers and built a canopy over the double seat He added directional lights and taillights The engine is a hand crank starter but it runs like a top says Larson My grandson and I carried the frame of the rotted spreader into the shop There was so little left of it Now we win prizes at parades and shows Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Linford Larson 10647 Wigwam Rd Rosholt Wis 54473 ph 715 677-3469
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