6 Best Tractor Lime Spreaders For Acidic Soil Old Farmers Swear By
Correct acidic soil effectively. Discover the 6 best tractor lime spreaders trusted by seasoned farmers for balancing soil pH and improving crop yields.
You’ve noticed the clover is struggling and the fescue looks a little thin, even after a good rain. Certain weeds, like sorrel and plantain, are starting to take over patches of your pasture. These aren’t just random annoyances; they’re signs your soil is likely turning acidic, locking up the very nutrients your grasses need to thrive.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Why Your Pasture Needs Lime: A Soil pH Primer
Think of soil pH as a gatekeeper for nutrients. On a scale of 1 to 14, a pH of 7.0 is neutral. Anything below that is acidic, and anything above is alkaline. Most pasture grasses and legumes thrive in a slightly acidic to neutral range, typically between 6.0 and 7.0.
When your soil pH drops too low—say, into the 5s—it becomes highly acidic. This acidity essentially "locks up" crucial nutrients like phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen, even if they’re present in the soil. You can throw down expensive fertilizer all day, but if the pH is wrong, the plants simply can’t access it. It’s like putting a padlock on the refrigerator.
This is where lime comes in. Lime, which is typically pulverized limestone (calcium carbonate), works by neutralizing soil acidity. Applying it raises the pH, unlocking those stored nutrients and making your fertilizer applications far more effective. A simple soil test is the only way to know for sure what your pH is and how much lime you need to apply per acre.
Ignoring acidic soil is one of the most common and costly mistakes a small farmer can make. You end up with weak, unproductive pastures that are prone to weeds and require more and more inputs for diminishing returns. Correcting your soil pH with lime is the foundational step to a healthy, resilient pasture.
Agri-Fab 45-0463: The Tow-Behind Spreader Champ
For the hobby farmer with a few acres, a good lawn tractor, and no PTO, the Agri-Fab tow-behind is a workhorse. Its design is simple and effective: the wheels turn an axle that spins the spreader plate. No hydraulics, no PTO shaft—just hook it up and go.
This model’s 130 lb. capacity is a sweet spot for properties in the 1 to 5-acre range. It’s enough to cover a decent area before needing a refill without being so heavy it bogs down a smaller tractor. The controls are typically a simple lever you can reach from the driver’s seat, making it easy to start and stop the flow as you navigate around fences or trees.
The main tradeoff here is precision and durability. A ground-driven spreader’s throw distance can vary with your speed, so maintaining a consistent pace is key. While it’s built tough enough for years of farm use, it won’t stand up to the daily abuse that a heavier, welded-steel 3-point hitch model can.
King Kutter TG-48-YK: A Durable 3-Point Hitch
When you need something that feels like it’ll outlast the tractor itself, you look at a 3-point hitch spreader like the King Kutter. This isn’t a lawn and garden tool; it’s a piece of agricultural equipment scaled for compact tractors. It connects directly to your tractor’s 3-point hitch and is powered by the PTO.
The biggest advantage is consistency. A PTO-driven spreader maintains a constant spinner speed regardless of how fast or slow your tractor is moving. This gives you an incredibly even and predictable spread pattern, which is crucial for applying lime correctly. The all-steel construction, from the hopper to the gearbox, means it can handle the bumps and jolts of a rough pasture without complaint.
Of course, this requires a tractor with a 3-point hitch and a rear PTO, so it’s not for everyone. It’s also heavier and less nimble than a small tow-behind. But for someone managing 5 to 20 acres of rolling pasture, the durability and precision are well worth the investment.
Brinly-Hardy BS36BH: For Larger Acreage Needs
If you’re covering more ground but still prefer a tow-behind, the Brinly-Hardy is the logical next step up. With a 175 lb. capacity and a wide broadcast pattern, this spreader is designed for efficiency. You’ll spend less time running back to the barn for refills and more time getting the job done.
One of its best features is the patented auto-flow technology, which stops the material flow when you stop the tractor. This simple innovation prevents piles of lime from forming every time you pause to open a gate, saving material and preventing burn spots in your pasture. The glass-filled nylon gears and poly hopper also mean it stands up to the corrosive nature of lime and fertilizer far better than all-metal designs.
This spreader hits a great balance between the capacity needed for larger hobby farms (think 5-15 acres) and the versatility of a tow-behind unit that can be pulled by a UTV or a zero-turn mower. It’s a serious tool for someone who needs to cover ground efficiently without moving up to a full PTO-driven system.
CountyLine 80 lb. Spreader: The All-Rounder
You’ll find a version of this spreader at nearly every farm supply store, and for good reason. The CountyLine 80 lb. model is the definition of a versatile all-rounder. It’s affordable, easy to assemble, and perfectly sized for the person managing a large garden, a food plot, and a small 1- or 2-acre pasture.
Its smaller capacity means more frequent refills on bigger jobs, but it also makes the unit lightweight and highly maneuverable. You can easily pull it with a garden tractor or an ATV into tight corners where a larger implement wouldn’t fit. For tasks like overseeding a paddock or fertilizing a specific patch, its simplicity is a major asset.
Don’t expect it to be a lifetime purchase if you’re using it hard every season. The build is lighter than the more expensive models, and the components are designed for moderate use. But as a first spreader or a multi-purpose tool for a diverse small farm, its value is hard to beat.
Field Tuff FTF-603PTS: Reliable PTO Spreading
The Field Tuff 3-point spreader is another excellent choice for those who want the reliability of a PTO-driven system. It often features a large poly hopper, which is a significant advantage. Steel hoppers will eventually rust from the moisture and corrosive properties of lime and fertilizer, but a poly hopper is virtually immune, making cleanup easier and extending the life of the spreader.
This type of spreader offers a massive spread width, often up to 40 feet or more, depending on the material. This allows you to cover a large field in just a few passes. The gearbox is typically sealed and maintenance-free, designed for straightforward, reliable operation season after season. It’s built for work, not for show.
The decision between a Field Tuff and a King Kutter often comes down to price, local availability, and personal preference on hopper material. Both are solid, PTO-driven implements that deliver a consistent, powerful spread. They represent a commitment to managing your soil properly with tools that won’t let you down.
Earthway 2170T: Precision for Small Pastures
Sometimes, it’s not about covering the most ground in the least time. For small, intensively managed areas like horse paddocks, rotational grazing plots, or market gardens, precision is everything. The Earthway 2170T tow-behind spreader is built for exactly that.
Its claim to fame is the EV-N-SPRED 3-hole drop system, which is engineered to provide a balanced spread pattern and prevent the feathering and striping you can get with less precise models. This means you get an even coat of lime right where you want it, without wasting material by flinging it into fence lines or water sources.
With a 100 lb. capacity, it’s not designed for a 20-acre hayfield. But for the small farmer who needs to meticulously manage the soil in a 1-acre paddock, its accuracy is invaluable. It’s the right tool for a specific, but very common, job on a hobby farm.
Calibrating Your Spreader for an Even Lime Coat
Here’s a truth that saves you money and frustration: the numbers on your spreader’s adjustment lever are just suggestions. You must calibrate your spreader with the specific material you’re using. Granulated lime flows differently than pelletized lime, and your ground speed and the humidity that day can change everything.
Calibration sounds complicated, but it’s simple. First, determine your target application rate from your soil test (e.g., 50 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft.). Then, mark out a test area of exactly 1,000 sq. ft. in your pasture. Put a pre-weighed amount of lime—say, 60 lbs—in the hopper.
Set the spreader to a starting point (e.g., halfway open) and spread the lime over your test area, driving at the exact speed you’ll use for the whole field. Now, pour out the remaining lime and weigh it. If you have 10 lbs left, you successfully applied 50 lbs—your setting is perfect. If you have 20 lbs left, you only applied 40 lbs and need to open the setting a bit more. This 20-minute process ensures you’re not wasting material or failing to correct your pH.
Choosing the right lime spreader comes down to your acreage, your tractor, and your budget. Whether it’s a simple tow-behind for a couple of acres or a PTO-driven machine for a larger pasture, the best tool is the one that fits your operation. But remember, the spreader is only as good as its operator—a soil test and proper calibration are what truly turn that lime into a lush, productive pasture.
