Agri-Fab 45-0543 100 lb. Tow Spiker/Seeder/Spreader, Black

When I fist bought this after reading some reviews I was a little concerned. I ordered it keeping in mind I could return it if it seemed bad quality. First I am an experienced machine designer and assemble my own designs for the most part. So I removed al the parts, separated all the fasteners and checked to see that all the parts were there. Then I followed the directions and was completely amazed at how it went together per the directions. You do need to be somewhat mechanically inclined. This product went together very well for a mass produced product. No bending or wallowing out holes to make it assemble correctly. I read where some replaced the screws that fastened the wheels. First of all the threads would only cut so far if any because most of the time the tines are taking the load if you're using it correctly. If the threads were to cut into the wheel holes it would stop once the threads filled and would then work as a bearing surface since it has no other place to go since that area is encapsulated. I waited for a good rain and the next day used it. We have hard dirt in NC. But since the ground was wet it worked well. I actually didn't use the pattern they suggested but ran over the yard then zig-zagged letting the rate setting on the dropping set about mid way. Anyway...for the price you cannot beat it.

I bought this unit because I primarily need a spreader, it works but conditionally. This is one of those combination units that is of a design that in order to use the spreader you have to aerate at the same time. You cannot disassociate the spreading of materials through the drop spreader from the aeration function, and that is a shame. This replaced a rotary spreader that I have found to be inaccurate and it was top of the line, Scotts. A rotary spreader simply cannot evenly dispersed whatever it is you're trying to put on the lawn. There are no other reasonably priced accurate drop spreaders out there that I could find. So I'm doing a lot of aeration.This unit is not simple to assemble and I am mechanically inclined. It's a bear. If you are not mechanically inclined pay some high school kid who is majoring in mechanics 50 bucks to do it and be done with it.Overall of the unit is well-made except for the graduation settings for the amount of material you want to drop through the spreader to the ground. The graduation assembly is made of a plastic of marginal strength and eventually will break I am confident. It's just poor engineering. The fix is providing some rigidity for strength and backup which I will probably end up doing myself.The sum of it is you have to put up with some of the faults to achieve the overall.

Was prepared for an assembly battle based on the reviews. It was pretty straightforward and fast with an adjustable crescent wrench and drill (I think there were just two different bolt head sizes). Probably spent 30 to 45 mins assembling. No missing parts. If you have a set of calipers get them out. They don't label the hardware so when they call for a 2" vs a 2.5" it makes it quick to grab the right one, same with the washers as they have a few variations of them and it's hard to know exactly which they are calling for without thinking it through or measuring based on the BOM dimensions to confirm.Don't bother swapping out the wheel bolts like some have mentioned. Unless you are hauling this thing around a lot on non grass surfaces where you need the wheels down they aren't even being used. I retract my wheels so they don't touch the ground. I think that is why the bolt is so long so you can catch it over the rail and keep them locked off the ground if you don't need to engage and disengage it while on the move. Yes, shouldered bolts would be better but seem unnecessary to upgrade them given the limited action the wheels would typically get.It worked well. I've used it twice to spread and spike fertilizer and no complaints. With the larger granules it took a little trial and error to get the spread rate just right.

This took a little longer to assemble than I wanted and I oops'd and mounted some things backwards at first but eventually got it together. There is not enough weight even with the hopper full of seed to get the unit to really get into the ground. The stars don't always rotate either. If I were engineering an upgrade to the I would first build a deck with a swing arm over the hopper that you could add some weight to. I would also lock the stars together and ensure the are attached to the axle so they always rotate as you drive. Then I would make sure the axles would handle the extra weight. Lastly I would make it so the stars make a bit larger of a hole. The hole are not big enough for the grass seed to get into the ground. Might work okay on freshly laid dirt but does not work that great on an established lawn.

Not easy to assemble. Had to read instructions AND watch the youtube assembly video (which was a different version of the same product, same model number, several different parts). And my parts bag had a hole in it so several of the washers and screws were loose in the box. Miraculously, every part was there, and not one spare. You use every included part.Once assembled, I love it. Works very well. You obviously have to figure out what setting is best for your application. I had to set mine at an 8 or 9 to apply 1/2 bag of Scotts Weed and Feed. But I love it. Beats the hell out of pushing a fertilizer spreader on foot.