SPECIAL LEAFLET
Wagon-Type Fertilizer 
Spreader
By
F. A. KUMMER and H. W. DEARING, Jr.
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
OF THE
ALABAMA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
M. J. FUNCHESS, Director
AUBURN
SEPTEMBER 1943
Wagon-Type Fertilizer Spreader
By
F. A. KUMMER and H. W. DEARING, Jr.
THE homemade fertilizer spreader described in this leaflet
is being offered in response to numerous requests for a
simple and inexpensive distributor for lime, phosphate, and
basic slag. No originality is claimed for the design since it is
an adaptation of similar spreaders already in general use. Sev-
eral changes have been made to eliminate difficulties experienced
with spreaders of this type. The spreader is to be attached to
the rear of a wagon. Its construction is simple enough to be
done with the help of only a few carpenter tools. Where possible,
steel parts have been eliminated in order to simplify the con-
struction and to avoid material shortages. This spreader has
proved highly satisfactory in its performance and labor-saving
qualities.
The principle of operation consists of agitating the fertilizer
material in the hopper box by producing a rocking motion of
the agitator plank. This rocking motion causes the fertilizer to
drop in a thin stream from the edges of the V-shaped agitator
at the bottom of the spreader box. The agitator is made by nail-
ing a 2" x 4" and a 2" x 6" board together. This construction is
preferable to using a single 4" x 4" member because it has less
tendency to warp. The agitator plank and, in turn, the agitator
are caused to vibrate by two rocks or small concrete blocks sus-
pended from the plank by old trace chains. These weights are
allowed to slide and tumble on the ground. This method of agi-
tation is usually sufficient on firm land and established pastures.
Where the ground is soft or covered with heavy vegetation, an
alternate type of knocker should be used. A 2" x 4" wooden
frame, as shown, is attached to the side boards of the wagon
box and a knocker arm is bolted to the cross member of this
frame. One end of the knocker arm engages in the spokes of
the rear wheel as indicated. The arm is held in contact with the
spokes by a screen door spring which is looped over the knocker
arm and fastened at both ends to the agitator plank. This
knocker arrangement is to be preferred over the conventional
diagonal type of knocker arm because it eliminates the trouble
some side thrust experienced with the diagonal type. It is ad-
visable to tack pieces of sheet metal around the spokes to re-
duce wear at the points where the knocker arm touches the
spokes. The length of the knocker arm will vary with different
wagons. Therefore, to provide adjustment for length, several
holes should be bored through the cross member of the 2" x 4"
frame.
The spreader box is attached to the wagon with two 2" x4"s
which are nailed to the wagon bed. This method of attaching
the box permits the top of the box to be level with the wagon
bed and makes filling of the box easier. The 2" x 4"'s are
fastened to the box by means of the side bolts shown in detail
on the drawing. Nailing the 2" x 4"'s to the wagon bed pro-
vides a more rigid attachment than if the box were suspended
from the end gate by means of metal strap hangers.
The amount of fertilizer applied with this spreader is con-
trolled by adjusting the agitator as shown on the drawing. The
agitator is suspended from the board "C" on top of the box by
means of the adjusting bolt and chain. Loosening or tightening
of the bolt opens or closes the space between the agitator and
the bottom edge of the spreader box and thereby increases or
decreases the flow of material from the box.
To determine the amount of fertilizer applied per acre, a
trial run should be made. The spreader is eight feet wide so
that in traveling one mile, approximately one acre would be
covered. At this rate, one-half mile would cover one-half acre,
and one-eighth mile, one-eighth acre. The minimum rate per
acre which can be applied with this distributor is between 500
and 600 pounds.
If, for example, 250 pounds of lime are distributed in trav-
eling one-eighth mile or 660 feet, the rate of application would
be 8 X 250, or one ton per acre.
In order to prevent wind from blolwing the fertilizer, a simple
cloth curtain may be attached around the box and allowed to
hang within a few inches of the ground. The ends of the curtain
should be weighted with poles or rods.

ALTERNATE KNOCKER 
ARRANGEMENT
AILED TO SIDEBOARDS OF
VAGON BOX 15" FROM END
'SAME
DISTANCE
BELOW WAGON>
BED AS BOTTOM
OF SPREADER BOX
ADJUSTING NUTS ii
DETAIL OF SIDE BOLT FOR ATTACHINGi
SPREADER BOX TO 26X 4" 'S -
s AGITATOR
SECTION SHOWING GAGE ADJUSTMENT
SPREADER BOX ASSEMBLY
I"HOLE FOR
ITATOR PLANK
KNOCKER ATTACHMENT
SPREADER ATTACHED TO WAGON
L C'.
r;a.'


BILL OF MATERIALS
Number
Required
2" :
2" :
1"
1"
1" :
1" :
1" :
1" :
1" :
2" :
12"
Size
6" x 7' - 101/"
4" x 7' - 101/2"
4" x 6'
6" x 8'
10" x 131/2"
10" x 1312"
4" x 13"
4" x 10"
4" x 13"
4" x 5' - 6"
36"
1/ " x 6"
4 1/" 
x 6"
1 
/2" 
x 5"
Material
Pine (Dressed)
Pine (Dressed)
Pine (Dressed)
Pine (Dressed)
Pine (Dressed)
Pine (Dressed)
Pine (Dressed)
Pine (Dressed)
Pine (Dressed)
Pine (Dressed)
Trace Chain
Trace Chain
Steel Bolts
Steel Bolts
Steel Bolts
Description
Agitator
Agitator
Agitator Plank
Spreader Box Sideboards
Box Ends
Division Boards
Box Braces
Sideboard Cleats
Adjusting Bolt Braces
Box Hangers
Agitator Hangers
Weight Hangers
Adjusting Bolts
(Bent as shown)
Side Bolts
(Bent as shown)
Agitator Plank Bolt
ALTERNATE KNOCKER ARRANGEMENT
2" x 4" x 3' Pine (Dressed)
2" x 4" x (outside Pine (Dressed)
width of wagon)
1" x 4" x 29" Pine (Dressed)
1" x 4" x 36" Pine (Dressed)
%" x 4" Steel Bolt Washer
Screen Door Coil Springs
Knocker Frame
Knocker Frame
Knocker Arm
Agitator Plank
Knocker Arm Bolt