Lime Spreaders

Lime raises soil pH, and the spreader you use decides how evenly it goes on. Choose equipment that fits your acreage, your tractor and the way lime flows.

Key points

Base lime rates on a soil test and extension advice, then choose equipment to match.
Spreader types differ in capacity, width and how well they handle wet or fine lime.
Match loaded weight to your tractor's size, hitch and brakes.
Calibrate for rate and pattern, and wash out after each use.
Keep guards on, shut down before clearing jams and avoid power lines.

What does a lime spreader do?

Agricultural lime is a heavy, often dusty material used to correct acidic soil. A spreader meters it out and distributes it across the field. Uneven spreading leaves some strips under-limed and others over-limed, so the machine matters.

Base any liming decision on a soil test and the advice of your extension office. They can explain how much lime your soil needs, what material to use and when to apply it. This article covers equipment only.

Walk your fields before you shop. Note slope, soft spots, gates and lane widths, because a machine that cannot get into the field is not much use no matter how well it spreads.

What types of lime spreaders are there?

Common types are truck-mounted spreaders, pull-type box spreaders with chain or belt conveyors and spinners, pendulum or boom-style spreaders, and smaller drop or broadcast spreaders for pelletized or fine lime. Many farmers also hire custom spreaders who carry large capacity and wide spread patterns.

Particle size and moisture change how lime flows. Wet lime can bridge, clump and stall a conveyor, while very dry, fine lime blows in wind.

Truck spreaders: large loads, custom hauling
Pull-type box spreaders: farm-owned, mid-size loads
Pendulum or boom spreaders: wide spread, heavy equipment
Small broadcast or drop spreaders: pelletized lime and small areas

How do you choose the right spreader?

Think about your acreage and how often you lime. A 5-acre pasture and a 200-acre hay operation have different needs. A pelletized product and a small broadcast spreader may suit a garden or small lot. Large fields may favor a custom applicator with bulk equipment.

Check the weight of a loaded spreader against your tractor's size, hitch and brakes. Lime is heavy. A machine that is too big for your tractor is a safety problem on slopes and roads. Your operator's manual lists the limits.

Used spreaders are common, and lime is hard on them. Look hard at floor chains, side sheets, welds and the frame under the box. Ask how it was washed out and stored, and have a mechanic look at the gearbox if the seller cannot say when it was last serviced.

How do you calibrate a lime spreader?

Settings printed on the machine are only a starting point. Lime texture, moisture and conveyor speed all change output. Use a catch-pan or tarp method described by extension offices, or weigh the product used over a measured area, then adjust the gate and speed.

Check spread width and pattern, not just amount. Place pans across the swath to see if the edges and center match. Recheck when you change suppliers or material.

How do you maintain a lime spreader?

Lime is abrasive and holds moisture, which speeds up rust and wear. Wash the spreader out after every use and let it dry. Check floor chains or belts, sprockets, spinner fins, gearboxes, bearings and hardware. Replace worn parts since they change spread patterns and can fail under load.

Grease fittings and lubricate chains with the lubricants your manual specifies. Store under cover where possible, and touch up bare metal.

Wash out after each use
Inspect chains, belts, sprockets and spinners
Grease as the manual directs
Replace worn fins and bent parts

What safety rules apply?

Keep PTO shields and guards in place, shut down and wait for all motion to stop before clearing a jam, and never climb into a hopper while machinery is running or connected. Lime dust irritates eyes and lungs, so wear eye protection and a dust mask suited to the dust.

Watch for overhead power lines when raising a spreader or truck bed. Keep wind in mind and avoid spreading toward houses, roads or water. Check your state DOT or highway patrol on rules for hauling loads on public roads.

When should you hire a custom spreader?

If you apply lime every few years and the quantity is large, a custom spreader may cost less than owning and maintaining equipment. Ask for references, ask how they calibrate and ask about the area they can cover in your window. Your extension office can recommend what to ask.

When to get help: Call your county extension office for soil test interpretation and liming recommendations. A dealer service department can help with gearboxes, PTO shafts and hydraulics.

Sources and further reading

Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.

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