LAST UPDATED: May 1st, 2015
Let me start off by saying that I’ve used a lot of spreaders over the years and most of them are now resting in peace in the spreader graveyard. For whatever reason, it seems like the majority of ATV and UTV-mounted spreaders out there just aren’t built to withstand the punishment that most people put them through. So admittedly, I was a little skeptical when I first got my new spreader from Moose Utility Division. Was it going to be able to withstand the “Todd Graf Treatment”?
The Moose Utility Division spreader mounts directly to your ATV or UTV.
My first impression of this spreader was that it’s definitely constructed of high quality parts. From the material of the hopper to the smallest hardware parts, there’s nothing that looked or felt cheap. I am not easy on my gear and trust me I had it loaded to the brim each time I was spreading. The first time out we spread a total of 1,500 pounds of product with no hiccups or problems.
The second thing that impressed me about this unit is the ease of use. Within about 10 minutes I had it out of the box and installed on my UTV. In my case I am using a Polaris Ranger with a bed on it, so I used plywood to build a small frame that I mounted the unit on. I did this so I could just remove the entire spreader when finished.
The M.U.D. spreader more than exceeded my expectations and held up great to my tough workload.
One of the biggest advantages of this spreader is the heavy duty steal frame that is used to support the weight of the hopper. Many of the other spreaders I have owned use a cheap frame system that gets bent due to the large amount of weight and jarring around that these units take driving around your plots. With the heavy duty steel frame on the M.U.D. spreader, this doesn’t appear to be a problem.
Now if you’re spreading fertilizer, especially urea 46-0-0 which is highly corrosive, you will appreciate the shield size as it prevents your ATV or UTV from taking on a ton of fertilizer. The M.U.D. spreader actually directs the fertilizer in the right spot – the ground, not the back of your ATV
Proper fertilization of your food plots is the key to maximizing their production, and the M.U.D. spreader makes this an easy task.
The unit is powered by a 12V battery (not included) connected via alligator clips. I simply placed the battery in the bed of my UTV and hooked it up. For those who want a more permanent solution, you could remove the alligator clips and wire the unit into a cigarette lighter or any other quick-plug type of system.
Having an extra battery handy made hooking up my new spreader a breeze.
I found the control unit had plenty of power to spin out everything from heavy fertilizer or small seeds like brassicas without a problem. I installed a cotter pin on the spindle of the motor as some of the product that I was spreading had clumps and by doing this it would break them up as it spun. When I was broadcasting small seeds I took it off as it was not necessary.
The spinner itself is made out of stainless steel so you don’t have to worry about the unit rusting out. I always like to use some Teflon on the motor shaft when finished just to be on the safe side as I don’t want the motor to seize up. I have experienced this on other units that I have owned, so I’m overly cautious when it comes to that.
The cab mounted variable speed controller allows you to adjust quickly and how far the spreader throws your seed or fertilizer, which works great for making sure you’re applying the correct amount.
Here’s a few of the technical specs of this unit if you’re comparing it against the competition.
- 2.2 cubic foot poly hopper
- 12 volt motor with variable speed control
- Spread width from 5 feet to 45 feet
- Holds up to 145 lbs
- Mounting brackets are included
- Stainless steel radial 6- blade fan
- Can spread Ice melt, seed, granular fertilizer and pesticides
In the end, I feel that the Moose Utility Division spreader is a top quality product and I have no problem recommending it to anyone looking to add another tool to their food plot arsenal. Although I’ve only used it a handful of times it’s already held up better than most of the other units I’ve owned, and it appears that this spreader will last me for years to come. If you want to learn more about this product or any of the other ATV accessories made by Moose Utility Division visit www.mooseutilities.com
Now only if we’d get some more rain so my food plots will grow!
