spreader floor

hd6gtom

Well-known Member
Got to replace the floor on a hundred bushel case spreader. Wondering what you guys have successfully used, was thinking about yellow pine if I can find it.
 
Used 3/4" pressure treated plywood on mine about 12 years ago, still good.

As a disclaimer, only use it a couple times a year for a couple days at a time, and I oil the floor with the chains (used motor oil) when I put it away.

Fred
 
Best thing I have found is the fiber glass covered plywood. It is used in the boating industry and for the sides of semi trailers. I do not know where your located. I know of suppliers in Ohio and IL. Also use wood and then cover it with poly. Farm Tek has it.
 
I am just using pressure treated lumber. But dealers are using a plastic just designed for that use. Too much money in my way of thinking. They are using it in rebuilding spreaders that are 70+ years old and new spreaders they are building. Could get it easy 60 mile from my home.
 
Lined mine with 1/8th inch plastic sheeting (from FarmTek, supposed to be used as walls in rooms you would wash with a hose). Screwed it down over top of the old floor. Slid sheets in from the front, beneath the slats. Made sure screws were where chain wouldn't catch them and sunk in to where slats wouldn't touch them.
 
Has anybody thought about using some of those composite porch or deck boards?
 
My buddy and I went in together and bought a nh spreader that needed a floor. Did use those boards. Were in the bargain area at lowes. Someone ordered and never picked up. Worked well. Been in there 5yrs.
 
I've seen those plastic type deck boards not be very flex able or supportive of weight over an empty space. Lot of them need 16 inch or less support spacing. There are several different types, solid, hollow, hollowed out back side. Especially in a cold location, I'd be careful on exactly what product I use.....

I've got a NH to re floor myself, and watching this thread with interest. I'm not sure what the answer is either.

Paul
 
Just the way they are all bent up laying on the racks in the store I would not even put them on a deck I wanted to walk on. What do you have to have under them? A joist every 12"?
 
The ones I used on my porch are real sturdy. The floor joists are either 18" or 24". I was actually surprised how tough they are. Some of the flimsy stuff is made for exterior trim not flooring.
 
I have used 5/4 treated decking boards on two different occasions. Worked very well both times.
 
They are too thick for some applications in that the extra thickness of a quarter inch over the orignal 3/4" board floor will keep the chain from setting properly on the gears. and you would have to taper the front end quite a bit to keep the slats from catching, with the 3/4" boards the front was tapered because of that. Larger heavier newer spreaders may have had thicker floor boards than the older ones so on those the thickness would not be a problem. The New Idea and Deere I have been around that thickness would be a problem.
 
We use basic 2x8 or 10 pressure treated, and it works fine.

Like anything, you've got to maintain it. It needs to be washed out to save the metal components anyways - so that'll save the wood too if it's stored clean and dry.

Depends on the spreader I guess, but even if the PT doesn't last forever, it's not all that hard to re-do it if it ever comes to that.
 
I see. These were New Hollands, a 520 and a 680. Yes, I did tapper the front and back to a 45 angle with a circular saw. I sold the 520 not long after replacing the floor, but I still have the 680. I've hauled 100's of loads with the new floor and no issues at all. Like you said though, maybe the smaller, older, spreaders just don't have the clearance.
 

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