Power seed spreader

Over the years I have owned or used a variety of spreaders.  As I age, my needs for a spreader changed from large to small and hand cranked to powered.   I looked at putting an ATV spreader on my mower but the price made me develop a workaround. 

My simple workaround was to remove the crank handle from an existing Ortho Whirlybird 5 lb fertilizer spreader and attach a Black and Decker 20v 3/8" Drill to the shaft where the handle was attached.  The handle was easy to pry off with a large flat head screwdriver.  

Testing in Fall 2023

Methods

A mix of Alkar Wheatgrass, Fawn Tall Fescue and Red Fescue was used for the test.  The test area was the lots across from Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Moscow Idaho and it was conducted on October 10.   The test would be  terminated when either the 20v 1.5 AH battery power or 20 lbs seed ran out and acreage treated measured.  

Results

Results showed an even spread and easy to operate.   Spreader flow was plugged a few times because of large seed but slight shaking of spreader caused the seed to flow again.  This is normal even with hand crank.  It was easy to detach drill to dip spreader into 5 gallon bucket to refill with seed and reattach to start spreading.  The 20v 1.5 AH battery ran out of power and 19 lbs seed was spread in a 1/2 acre treatment area.     

Conclusions

The modified spreader easily treated a 1/2 acre without hand cranking.  The drill preformed well but the 20v 1.5 AH battery ran out of power after spreading 19 lbs seed over a 1/2 acre area.  A good modification to an old spreader.  

Thoughts and Hacks  

1. Bring extra batteries and seed if treating large area.

2. Take care to keep drill aligned to spreader since it is attached to a plastic component of the spreader.