Tractor Converted Into Self-Propelled Spreader

Tractor Converted Into Self-Propelled Spreader MANURE HANDLING Equipment 7-4-7 If you have a tractor and a pull-type commercial fertilizer spreader and you want to increase your work rates, what do you do? The answer, according to English farmer John Fearnley, of Demon, Norfolk, is to combine the two vehicles into one to create a self-propelled unit. Here, courtesy of Power Farming magazine, is how Fearnley cut the chassis off his pull-type granular spreader and, after modifying his International 614 tractor, combined the two units into one self propelled rig. The spreader was a Spreadall. Fearnley separated the body from the chassis and fitted a drive shaft along its side. This enabled him to connect the existing drive, which was front-mounted, to the original pto of the tractor. A set of V-belts takes the drive from the pto to the new drive shaft. These were the only modifications on the spreader; apart from putting on rubber flaps to protect the rear of the tractor. Modifications to the tractor, however, were more extensive. In work, it was found that the extra weight applied to the tractor caused a problem with the kingpins on the original front axle. This was solved by installing a stronger axle, taken from a JCB excavator. The front-mounted cab and spreader are both supported by beams of channel iron. Fearnley figured that, with the cab ahead of and above the engine, noise could be a problem so he lined it with extra sound-proofing material. He salvaged steering and other parts from Leyland and Ford tractors. Combining the two units into one has had an unexpected benefit: The new self-propelled machine can spread wider (about 27 ft.). It is also more maneuverable, according to Fearnley.

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