Agriculture, like everything around us, has adapted to modern times by using appropriate technology for higher productivity. Spreaders are now an important part of working on your farmland or even lawn especially ATV and UTV seed spreaders as manual seed spreading is declining.

You must have heard about ATV and UTV seed spreaders. Do you Want to know all about it?  Following is all information to know about ATVs and UTVs and Seed spreaders and their use on the farm.

What are ATVs And UTVs

 ATVs known as all-terrain vehicles were mainly introduced for sports purposes. It’s a small four-wheeler for a single driver.  UTV or Utility Terrain Vehicles are more practically designed for two passengers and have more space than All-Terrain Vehicles. Both these vehicles can be used to drive on rough land surfaces and can reach places where normal vehicles cannot.

No wonder this advantage didn’t go unnoticed, especially by the farmers who spend both time and money working on their farms.

ATV and UTV Seed Spreaders

All-terrain vehicles can be used as important tools in farming by attaching an appropriate spreader to uniformly spread fertilizers and seeds across the farm. These spreaders contribute a lot to making farmer’s life easier decreasing the time required to spread seeds across the field. laymen can also benefit from spreaders for their gardens and lawns.

The use of seed and fertilizers spreader was not new to the farmers as spreading seed by hand was physically exhausting and economically draining if the seed was not spread well.

Regardless of all the advantages of modernization of the agricultural system, some farmers still prefer the traditional approach of sowing seeds by hand as they think this process determines how careful the treatment of seed will be which throws light on the importance of not only spreading seeds and fertilizers and other material but also doing it in the best way possible taking care of the field and desired crop on the mind.

Broadcast Spreader vs ATV spreader

Broadcast spreaders are hand-controlled spreaders that farmers use to spread seeds.

Advantages of broadcast spreaders

• Broadcast spreaders cover a larger part of the field
• The seeds spread in a fan pattern
• Farmer have control over the amount of speed he or she wants to spread

Disadvantages of broadcast spreaders

• Don’t work well for the targeted seeding, accuracy is compromised
• Broadcast spreaders have to be walked to work, if walking speed or direction varies the trail can get disturbed easily
• Undesirable spreading can result in time-consuming cleaning.

Advantages of ATV seed Spreaders

• ATV and UTV seed spreaders are automated and require less energy to prepare for the seed spreading
• ATV and UTV spreaders can reach parts of the field that can grow the crop but couldn’t be reached well by walking
• ATV and UTV spreaders work by dropping the product, seed fertilizer, etc

Disadvantages of ATV and UTV Seed Spreaders

• ATV and UTV seed spreaders are attached mostly behind the vehicle which means the quantity of hopper has to be checked manually
• These spreaders are required to be assembled and attached to an ATV which can be an inconvenience for people with less knowhow of mechanics.

Both Broadcast Seed Spreaders and ATV and UTV seed spreaders are different and can be used where a farmer or Gardner thinks it’s best to use them. Keeping in mind the soil, intended seed trail, and crop or plantation. Other than that, the size of the land to be covered should also be kept in mind larger farmlands prefer UTV seed spreaders while ATV seed spreaders can be used in farmlands and gardens alike while Broadcast Spreaders are usually used for smaller cultivation areas.

Gearbox assembly and Cable

How an ATV will be driven and controlled depends on the need of customers completely. There are several types of ATVs based on their transmission.   

Manual ATV Transmission

In ATVs with a manual transmission, you have to choose the best gear for the situation. The lower gears are best selected for low traction scenarios, hauling heavy stuff, uphill climbs, and takeoff. The higher gears are best used when you’re cruising.

In a manual transmission setup, you have to disengage the engine from the transmission using the clutch stick before shifting between gears. Once the gear is locked in, you have to re-engage the engine by releasing the clutch.

So, in manual transmission, you have to control the clutch, the gear lever, and the throttle. If you’re on a hill, you may have to engage the brakes as well. The brakes here work like those on a motorcycle. The rear brake is operated by the right foot, while the front brake is controlled by your right hand. Many ATVs are fitted with a manual transmission, especially the sport and utility models. The manual operation is similar to what you’ll get in a car or a motorcycle. A manual transmission gives you more control over the power generated. Your engine will always remain in the best range possible to generate maximum or reduced power depending on whether you have traction or not.

Semi-Auto ATV Transmission

The main difference between ATVs with semi-auto transmissions and manual transmissions is the operation of the clutch. You still have to choose the appropriate farmer gear for the scenario, but the clutch doesn’t have a separate lever. The act of shifting gears automatically controls the clutch as well. With this setup, you’ll have one less thing to worry about while staying in control of the power generated by the engine. This type of transmission is also popular with sports ATVs. It’s also deployed in vehicles made for inexperienced operators that are not yet experienced enough in gear selection but have a decent grasp of riding an ATV.

Automatic ATV transmission

ATVs with automatic transmission are made to handle gear selection for you, with the right gear chosen for you automatically at the right time. This type of transmission is popular in utility ATVs, where the focus is more on the reason for riding the ATV, such as hauling, towing, or plowing.

Automatic transmissions in ATVs also work like what you get in cars, with some of them featuring levers that allow riders to shift between “hi” and “lo” gearing.

The main principle here is centrifugal force. The foundation of the operation is based on the fact that the force moving away from the center of any spinning object will increase if the speed of rotation increases. If the ATV is in “hi” gear, it will travel at a speed much faster than normal, but it won’t generate enough power as it slows down. In “lo” gear, the max speed of the ATV reduces, but the amount of power generated at a lower speed increase greatly. This means that you can haul or tow a lot more weight.

When discussing automatic ATV transmission, there are two main types you should know about: CVT and wet clutch technologies.

Continuously Variable Transmission

The CVT mechanism contains two pulleys held together by a V belt. The two pulleys act as built-in clutches that control and vary the drive ratio between the output and input shaft in a controlled, smooth and continuous manner. The main clutch is linked to the engine through the input shaft. It is also disengaged totally from the belt when idle. When the engine is in increased motion, the main clutch will override the spring force holding the clutch sheaves apart. With a further increase in speed, the belt will ride higher inside the main clutch, leading to an increased gear ratio between the output and input shaft. The secondary clutch in the system works similarly to the main clutch, but its main role is to ensure there is no slack within the V belt, especially while the main clutch opens and closes. The secondary clutch’s other role is to connect to the output shaft and the rear wheels, usually through a drive shaft or a chain.

Wet Clutch Technology

The wet clutch approach to automatic transmission is less complex than the CVT technology. The system incorporates one wet clutch, which is linked to the engine via a range of gears. The transmission is only engaged at specific preset RPMs. Models with this technology only have a single speed and the option of reverse. There’s only one forward gear. This design means you can’t rely on ATV models with this transmission for heavy-duty use or navigating rough terrains. They are best for new riders that are still learning how to control and handle an ATV without worrying about shifting gears.

CABLE

These different types of transmission ATVs are joined by a spreader with special winch cables to haul and attach. The cable is traditionally made of steel but many options are present nowadays of strong, synthetic fibers specially designed for this purpose like polyethylene. The cable should be long and narrow to reach smaller portions given in ATV for attachment.

Why go for a 12-volt Seed Spreader UTV?

A 12-volt motor attached spreader is often recommended for spreading the seeds across the field. This low voltage motor helps in controlling the number of seeds spreading and the pattern by giving variable speed control. This motor is working to shake the hopper as it is fitted inside that.

There is no doubt that ATV seed spreaders and UTV seed spreaders have made it very easy for people to spread not only seeds but fertilizers and some pesticides too. The variety present for these is another advantage for choosing the best for your crop. Spreading seeds by Seed Spreader UTVs will take practice and farmers do make a lot of mistakes what’s better is to try different types of spreaders to get an idea of what works well for you.  Safety concerns should also be taken into consideration as ATVs are driven on rough lands, not on roads.

Keeping all in mind one cannot help but appreciate the modern technology for providing options and promoting growth for farmers and their business by making the manual and tiring process comparatively a lot less time-consuming giving them time to focus on other aspects of growing their businesses.

Conclusion

So now once you are familiar with all types of spreader, and their pros and cons. Its time to find out which one would suit your use case the best. The two articles will help you in your search give them a read:-

Top UTV Spreader With Agitator 2022

Seed Spreader For Polaris Ranger 2022