Best Tow Behind Spreaders for Fertilizing Your Lawn | Reviews of 2024

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The tow-behind spreader is one of the easiest and the most efficient ways to make your lawn look even and better than your neighbors. And we know that choosing the one spreader that perfectly meets your needs is very difficult in the ocean of choices.

Do not worry; you have come to the right place. We have thoroughly researched the best tow behind spreaders in the market and presented the best of the best to you.

We hope this article helps you choose the best suitable tow behind spreader for your lawn or farm.

Best Tow Behind Spreader
Chapin 8620B (Best Overall)
  • Capacity: 150 Pound
  • Spread width: 15 ft.
  • Wheels: 14” pneumatic tires
  • Weight: 40 Pound
  • Warranty: 1 Year
Agri-Fab 45-0530 (Cheapest)
  • Capacity: 85 Pound
  • Spread width: 10 ft.
  • Wheels: 10" pneumatic tires
  • Weight: 17 Pound
  • Warranty: 3 Years
Agri-Fab 45-0463
  • Capacity: 130 Pound
  • Spread width: 10 to 12 ft.
  • Wheels: 13" pneumatic tires
  • Weight: 37 Pound
  • Warranty: 3 Years
Brinly BS36BH
  • Capacity: 175 Pound
  • Spread width: 8 to 12 ft.
  • Wheels: 13.5" pneumatic tires
  • Weight: 47 Pound
  • Warranty: 2 Years
Yard Commander YTL-002-179
  • Capacity: 125 Pound
  • Spread width: 10 to 12 ft.
  • Wheels: 12" pneumatic tires
  • Weight: 25 Pound
  • Warranty: 2 Years

Best Tow-Behind Spreader Reviews

1. Chapin 8620B 150-lb Tow Behind Spreader with Auto-Stop

Chapin 8620B Tow Behind Spreader

If we are listing the best tow-behind spreader, we cannot forget to mention the 8620B spreader from Chapin with 150 pound capacity. The spreader is fully made in the USA, with material exported globally. It can be attached to the lawnmowers as well as UTVs, ATVs, etc., to make the spreading easy and even.

It even has 11 different settings so you can adjust the spread of seeds or fertilizer. The capacity of the spreader is up to 150 lbs, which is way more than any other average spreader in the market.

The tires are 14-inch pneumatic tires with a pallet quality of 8, making it very easy and steady to tow behind whatever you are using, be it lawnmower or UTV.

Although it costs a little extra than other spreaders in the market, we cannot ignore the fact that the performance of the spreader is also that great. Also, you do not get any warranty or guarantee upon purchase of the equipment, you can rest assured of their in-house and exceptional customer service.

The assembly of the spreader requires only half an hour. In just within that time, you can start planting seeds or adding fertilizer to your lawn. One thing that makes this equipment safe is that it has an auto-stop impeller, which automatically stops the spreader if it is knocked over or titled over by accident.

The wheels of the spreader are made in such a way that they will not tilt over and run smoothly over a surface that is not even. The gearbox of the spreader has a bronze bearing which comes pre-greased to make your work easy and quick.

Pros

  • Easy to assemble
  • Easy to use
  • The capacity of 150 lb
  • Can be attached to lawnmowers, UTVs, ATVs, etc.
  • Can cover up to 14 feet

Cons

  • Does not come with a warranty
  • A bit costly compared to other spreaders.

2. Agri-Fab 45-0530 85 lb Tow-Behind Spreader

Agri-Fab 45-0530 Tow-Behind Spreader

Agri-fab is one of the most loved companies for agricultural and gardening equipment in the market. When we look at its tow-behind spreader, it also doesn’t disappoint. Once fully filled, it can cover 14,000 square feet of the area before requiring a refill.

The spreader is almost 12 feet wide and surely can spread up to 10 feet. It has a steel frame so it can last for a long time, and you even get a 3-year limited warranty, so you do not have to worry about the money you spend on this tow-behind spreader.

The spreader has pneumatic tires to make sure the towing is done effortlessly. You can easily operate this spreader to sow the seeds to the plain areas of the lawn. You can even use the spreader as a means to spread the fertilizer on your farm or lawn.

The unit has a universal hitch you can attach to your boggy. It also has the capacity to hold up to 85 lb of seeds or fertilizer, so you do not have to refill it frequently. Keeping your lawn look perfect and maintained requires many efforts, and getting this spreader from Agri-fab is one step near it.

Assembling the spreader will take from half an hour to an hour, depending upon your capability and expertise with the tools. You will get all the necessary parts you need with the purchase and a manual for assembling the parts.

One special thing about this spreader is that it has cable flow control, so you can easily open and close the spreader while it is attached to your tractor. It is one of the ideal choices for a spreader.

Pros

  • Easy to assemble
  • Easy to get replacement parts
  • Can do the spreading evenly
  • Wheels are sturdy

Cons

  • Wheels can be punctured
  • Only has capacity for 85 lb.

3. Agri-Fab 45-0463 130-Pound Tow Behind Broadcast Spreader

Agri-Fab 45-0463 Tow Behind Broadcast Spreader

One more tow behind broadcast spreader from Agri-Fab makes its way onto our list of best ones. The 130-pound hopper of the spreader has the capacity to be used for the larger lawns and evenly spreads the seeds and fertilizer.

If we mention the area that can be covered by this spreader, it is around 25,000 square feet without needing a refill. The spread area is between 10-12 feet depending upon what you are spreading, seeds or fertilizer. You can control the spreader without detaching the spreader from your lawnmower or UTV.

This tow-behind broadcast spreader is designed specially to last for years once purchased. The spreader has the capacity to spread the seeds and fertilizer in 10-12 feet. The spreader has 13″x 4″ pneumatic wheels so it can be operated easily on uneven earth.

What makes it trustworthy in the market is that it is manufactured in the USA with globally acquired materials, and it comes with a 3-year warranty. In short, it gives you the perfect cost-efficient performance.

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The hopper pump of the spreader makes sure that there are no blockages when it comes to the dispatch of fertilizer or seeds.

The assembling of this tow-behind broadcast spreader is as easy as it comes. You will get an instructional manual with the purchase, and you can always refer to it for assembly. The maintenance of the spreader will not ask for extra attention.

This has to be one of the easy to assemble and zero efforts in maintenance kind of tow behind broadcast spreader. The weight of the spreader after assembly fixes up around 58 lbs., which is a little bit higher than most preferred, but we cannot ignore its performance and its capacity to not overspread the seeds on the most uneven surfaces.

Pros

  • Easy to assemble
  • 3-year warranty
  • The capacity of 130 pounds
  • Universal hitch
  • Cost-efficient

Cons

  • Only cover up to 10-12 feet of spreading space
  • Some complaints about the spreader tipping over by customers

4. Brinly BS36BH 175 lb Tow-Behind Broadcast Spreader

Brinly BS36BH Tow-Behind Broadcast Spreader

Next on our list, we have Brinly BS36BH. Although it will cost you a little more than any other average tow-behind broadcast spreader, but the performance this spreader gives is superior.

The capacity of this equipment is 175 lbs. Now you don’t have to worry about filling up the spreader frequently because you have a large lawn. This is even the most ideal tow behind broadcast spreader for fertilizer spreading as it is made in such a way to last even with the corrosive fertilizers.

Like all the other spreaders, this one also has a universal hitch, so it can be mounted upon any of the vehicles you are using for the spreading. What makes this spreader different from the rest is that it has 6.1 glass-filled nylon gears, which give you a large spread range of about 12 feet.

Brinly has been in the market since 1839, the years of customer feedback and improvement throughout the years has made Brinly one of the companies that look out for its customer when it comes to delivering long-lasting products.

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The spreader is made and marketed in the USA. The pneumatic wheels are tireless, so you also can rest easy on them getting flat because that will not happen. The directional spread pattern control is patented by the company, so what you get in this spreader from them, you will not get in any other spreader.

The assembly of the spreader will take only up to half an hour of your time before it’s ready to do its job. The tow-behind spreader is versatile, and despite that, it is very easy to maintain.

You will not have to put in any extra effort other than cleaning the spreader from time to time to keep it good as ever. You will get two years of warranty upon purchase eliminating all your worries about the quality and durability of the spreader you spend your money on.

Pros

  • Easy & quick assembly
  • Long-lasting
  • Easy to use
  • Patented spread control
  • 2-year warranty
  • The capacity of 175 lbs

Cons

  • Costly compared to other spreaders
  • Only 12 feet of spread

5. Yard Commander YTL-002-179 Tow-Behind Broadcast Spreader

Yard Commander YTL-002-179 Tow Broadcast Spreader

We have yet another tow behind broadcast spreaders in our list. With its 125 lbs capacity, it could be an ideal choice for medium to small lawns and farms. The spreader has a rust-proof hopper which will give you cost-efficient benefits for a long period of time.

You will also get dual metal gear, now a spreader that is cost-efficient and gives an amazing performance! What more can customers ask for? The whole spreader weighs around 25.6 lb which is not too heavy nor too light.

It has the capacity to spread in a 25,000 square foot area without needing a refill. You can even attach this spreader to normal garden tractors, UTVs, or ATVs as well.

You get a cover that you can put on top of the spreader storage so that any outside dust does not find its way into your seeds. This tow broadcast spreader by Yard Commander will spread the seeds or fertilizer in 10 to 12 feet of area, which will help you cover the whole area very quickly.

The 12-inch pneumatic tires of the spreader will make sure that your spreader does not tip over on an uneven surface. The tires are supposed to last long if properly cared for.

The assembly of these tow-behind spreaders will just take about half an hour of your time before it is ready to do its job. You will get a user manual as well as a user guide that will make the assembly and “how to use” very much easy for you.

As we already learned, it is very easy to attach the spreader with any of the farming vehicles you have, so you do not even have to worry about whether this spreader will fit at the end of your vehicle. You can even use this spreader in winter as a snow melter.

You will get a year of warranty on the tools of the spreader but rest assured, even after this duration, this spreader is built to last. You will not necessarily require any rocket science to maintain the spreader; just clean after use, and it will be enough.

Pros

  • Easy assembly
  • Easy to use
  • Compatible with any farming vehicles
  • Can cover up to 25,000 feet area without requiring a refill.

Cons

  • Some complaints of spreader tipping over have been received.
  • 10-12 feet spread, which is a little less than other cheaper spreaders.

Buying Guide for Best Tow Behind Spreader

Now, you would not want to spend money on something which will cost you a piece from your wallet and will not be as compatible as it should be. To help you avoid that when it comes to the tow-behind spreader, we have written this buying guide.

You will learn all the necessary details you are supposed to learn before purchasing a tow-behind spreader for your lawn.

Why do I need a tow-behind spreader?

We would assume that you like your lawn to be perfect and not have plain patches here and there in your yard without it. Now, if you have a tow-behind spreader, maintaining your lawn will be a very easy task for you.

If you do not have a spreader, you will have to sow the seeds manually in your yard. And we can tell that nobody in the 21st century has time for such a tedious and time-consuming task, especially when there are tools available in the market at a pocket-friendly price which will make it easy and quick for you.

With the help of a spreader, you can quickly spread the seeds in your yard that will eventually make your lawn look healthier and better. You can even use the tow behind spreader for spreading fertilizer on your lawn or farm.

Spreader for Lawn

How do I use the tow-behind spreader?

Tow behind spreaders is one of the easiest equipment to use when it comes to farming equipment. You just have to attach it to your farm tractor, ATVs, UTVs, Lawnmower, etc., whichever vehicle that you have.

You will have to attach the hitch to the back of the vehicle, fill it up with seeds or fertilizer, open the dispatch area and start driving the vehicle on your lawn or farm where you want to spread the filled-up material.

There are some spreaders available in the market that have a universal hitch, which means that they can be attached to any farming vehicle. With that, there are also some spreaders that let you control the flow of the spread without the need to be detached from the vehicle, whereas some require it to be detached from the vehicle.

Things you have to look for before buying

Well, if you are spending some amount of money on the spreader, we think you should learn about the features you can look out for before making a final decision on which spreader you should choose.

Tow behind lawn spreader

Ease of use

This is what every customer wants regardless of whatever product or piece of equipment they are purchasing. Now, looking into tow-behind spreaders, you would want a spreader that will be very easy to assemble and even easier to use.

We saw how you could use the tow-behind spreader, and now you can check how the on and off of the spreading works. You have to detach the spreader from your vehicle to adjust the flow of the spreader, or you can adjust it without detaching the spreader. This one thing can save a lot of your time.

Spread area

This can be one of the most important factors if you have a large area to cover with your tow behind spreader. There are spreaders available in the market that will give you the spread beginning from 10 feet to 14 feet.

If you get a spreader that has a spreading capacity of 14 feet, you will be able to cover more ground in less time. Now, if you have a larger lawn or farm, you should always opt for the spreader with a larger spread area.

Although there are some customers who prefer to get a tow-behind spreader that can cover a large area even if they have a small lawn or farm so they can spread the seeds very quickly. Depending upon the area where you want to do the spreading, you can choose the ideal tow behind spreader for you.

Wheels

Believe it or not, wheels are the most important part of any tow behind spreader, whether you get a spreader that is costly or whether you get a spreader that is very cheap. If you forget to check the wheels, you might be spending your money on the useless machine.

Without the proper pneumatic wheels, the high chances are that the spreader will tip over, which will only increase your work of cleaning it. If you know you have the rocky floor under the lawn, you should get the most compatible spreader, which can give its best performance on uneven earth.

Flow rate

The flow rate of the spreader is the most ignored part of the function. Consumers mostly forget to see or ask for the flow rate of the spreader. It should be somewhere between the middle. The spreader should not dispatch the seeds too much or too little.

Depending upon the size and the capacity of the spreader, the flow rate of the spreader can be determined. There are spreaders available that will even let you adjust the flow of the spread.

Compatibility with other farming equipment

If you already have a farming tractor, UTV, Lawn mower, ATV, etc., we suggest that you might want to go for a tow-behind spreader that will be compatible with your current equipment. It will not only save you a lot of money, but it will also make the work easy for you.

Mostly, the tow behind spreader with a universal hitch can be the right choice for you. But we suggest you ask for the compatibility test with your currently owned equipment or vehicle you want to attach your spreader with.

Capacity before requiring a refill

There are numerous choices when it comes to purchasing a tow-behind broadcast spreader. Now, when you have to choose one for yourself, it might become a very difficult task as all of those spreaders have different capacities to hold the seeds or fertilizer.

There are spreaders that have 125 lbs capacity, and there are spreaders that have 175 lbs capacity. You can map your area in terms of square meters to figure out how many refills your chosen spreader will need if it will need any refills at all.

Not only it makes your decision for which spreader to go easy, but it will help you save quite a lot of time from putting in the effort to refill the spreader trunk.

The material it’s made out of

The material can be a very important factor of the tow behind spreader. A spreader with stainless steel will last you for a lifetime, whereas a spreader that is made out of plastic or fiber will have limitations when it comes to last for long years.

Although, the material the spreader is made out of does not affect the performance of the spreader. But we suggest that if you want a tow-behind spreader that can last you for years, you can go for one that is made out of long-lasting material.

Warranty

Almost all the manufacturer provides some period of warranty upon purchase of the tow behind spreader. If you are already using one spreader, you already know that it does not require any specific warranty or guarantee.

Most of the spreaders are built to last for years, and they actually do. But if you are purchasing for the first time, it is a given that you might be a little insecure about the money that you are spending.

If you are a first-time buyer of the spreader, you should get the spreader with 3-5 years of warranty. Otherwise, you can always choose with fewer years of warranty or no warranty at all.

Lawn Spreader

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Q. Can tow behind spreader is actually good for spreading grass seeds?

Yes. In fact, it is the best way to spread the grass seeds in your garden or yard. It will also make sure that the grass seeds are evenly spread on the earth so when your lawn grows, it looks even and greener.

Q. How do I maintain the tow behind spreader?

There are few points that you have to see to make sure that your tow behind spreader last long,

  • Always make sure that you clean the hopper after you are done using it.
  • Always check for the crack after every few months if anytime mistakenly, you have overloaded the hopper.
  • Make sure that you do not speed up with the spreader behind any of the vehicles. There are chances that the spreader might tip over, and by any chance, it falls with force on the earth; it might even break.
  • Make sure that you harness it properly with the vehicle you are towing it behind.

Q. How do I clean the spreader?

Depending upon your preference, you can choose to clean the spreader with water or compressed air. Make sure that you check for crevices in the corner that no seeds or fertilizer residue are left in the spreader. If you have washed the spreader with the water, make sure that the spreader gets dried up before you pack the spreader.

Q. Is it really necessary to purchase a spreader with an adjustable spread?

It is not necessary that you get a spreader with an adjustable spread; it all depends on what you are going to use the spreader for. If you are using it for spreading fertilizer, you might need a spreader that lets you control the flow of the fertilizer being spread. It is advised that you use the spreader with adjustable spread flow so that you can see to it that you do not use seeds or fertilizer more than necessary.

Conclusion

Getting a tow behind spreader is one of the right decisions that you can ever make. It will help you make your grass even because, with the help of the spreader, you can easily spread the seeds evenly on the earth.

You can use the spreader to spread salt to remove the snow on chilly winter days. You can even use the spreader to spread the fertilizer on the farm or the plants that you want to grow.

You can even choose not to invest your money in the spreader if you are willing to spend hours planting seeds for getting that perfect lawn. Getting the spreader not only makes your work easy but accurate as well.

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