Yes, you can spread dirt with a manure spreader, but you have to take some precautions. Be careful not to overload it because dirt weighs a lot more than manure per cubic foot. Also, be aware of the wind speed and direction, as dirt can easily fly all over your place.
This post will discuss whether or not it is possible to spread dirt with a manure spreader. We will also go over how to do it, if possible, and list a few tips to make your work easier while at it.
Spread Dirt with a Manure Spreader?
Yes, you can spread dirt with a manure spreader, but you have to take some precautions. Be careful not to overload it because dirt weighs a lot more than manure per cubic foot.
Also, be aware of the wind speed and direction, as dirt can easily fly all over your place.
Note also that first does not slide as well as manure does. For this reason, you might want to load the manure spread half as much as you would for your usual spreading session.
Manure spreaders come with various blades, from the more common flat blade to paddle-type ones that work well for loose soil or dirt as they can push it into the ground instead of having it fly all over the place.
Tips for Spreading Dirt with a Manure Spreader
Do not spread wet dirt.
Wet dirt is sticky and won’t slide through the manure spreader properly. Plus, it will give you a hard time loading it up. It is advisable to wait for the dirt to lose most of its water so it can slide better.
Do not overload your equipment.
Dirt weighs a lot more per cubic foot than manure does, so try loading half as much in the manure spreader to make things easier and safer for you.
Do not spread dirt in windy conditions.
Dirt is much heavier than manure and will easily fly all over your place if the wind picks up, so it’s best to avoid spreading it when there are gales or gusts that might send dust flying into things you don’t want dirt on.
Half-full is full enough.
For best results, you want to start slow and see how the dirt behaves. If it doesn’t slide immediately, wait until more moisture has evaporated before trying again.
Start with a small amount of dirt and let it slide all the way through before adding more.
Choose the right size of a manure spreader.
If the spreader is too small, the dirt may not come out well, as there will be less room for it to slide through. On the other hand, if you have one that is too big, you will have to do a lot of work filling it or going too many rounds than necessary.
For this reason, it is best to have a medium-sized manure spreader on hand.
Know your soil type
It is easier to spread, say, dirt from sandy soil than it is to spread moist clay. So know which type of dirt you have got before deciding which blade to use.
Wear gloves and safety glasses
You don’t want to end up with dirt in your eyes or on your hands, as it can cause damage. Plus, you might end up with a few scratches while pushing the dirt through.
Downsides of Using a Manure Spreader to Spread Dirt
- It may be a lot of work.
This is especially the case when the dirt is too wet. When wet, it is a tedious job loading the spreader. Also, the dirt doesn’t slide smoothly, and it will take many rounds to cover the area.
- It is time-consuming
You may need more than one load before covering your entire yard, so be prepared for a long day’s work if you have a large piece of land to cover.
- Overloading the spreader may cause damages.
Dirt, especially wet dirt, can be quite heavy. Overloading the spreader may damage the chains or the axle, and these damages may not be easily repaired.
- There’s a risk of dirt getting all over.
Wet dirt flies off easily, so you might end up with dirt in your face or places in your compound where you don’t want it.
- Requires a lot of cleaning after
If the dirt is wet, your spreader is going to be full of mud that you will need to clean off before putting it back in the shed.
Using a Manure Spreader for Dirt FAQs
Will spreading the dirt with a manure spreader damage it?
There won’t be any damage if you are spreading dry dirt free of big stones. However, if the dirt is wet and full of rocks or other things that could damage your spreader, then there’s a chance it may get damaged.
Can you spread soil with a manure spreader?
Yes. A manure spreader will do a good job of spreading soil. But again, you will need to consider the type of soil you are spreading and how wet it is. All the tips for spreading dirt apply here too.
Can you top-dress with a manure spreader?
Yes, a manure spreader can top-dress. But make sure the ground is dry and not too lumpy.
Can you spread wood chips with a manure spreader?
Yes, but think about how much area you want to cover before doing it because spreading wood chips can be time-consuming if there’s a lot of work involved in picking up the chippings after they’re distributed.
Can I use my manure spreader for mulch?
You won’t have any problems when using your equipment for mulching leaves and other small bits of debris as long as it’s fairly dry and no big rocks are present in what you plan on distributing when dealing with larger chunks of mulch.
Final Thoughts
Spreading dirt with a manure spreader is possible, but precaution has to be taken to avoid damage and to make the task as efficient as possible. Follow the tips provided here to make your job easier.
The next question is can you spread dirt with a broadcast spreader?