6 Pto Powered Attachments For Hauling Manure For Small Acreage

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Selecting a PTO Manure Spreader for Your Acreage

Choosing the right spreader starts with your tractor, not the manure pile. Your tractor’s horsepower (HP) and the capacity of its three-point hitch or drawbar are the absolute limits. A 25-bushel spreader might seem small, but fully loaded with wet manure, it can weigh over 1,500 pounds, a significant load for a subcompact tractor, especially on uneven ground.

The type of manure you handle is the next critical factor. Manure mixed with lots of bedding like wood shavings requires a more aggressive beater system than straight manure from a pasture. Some compact spreaders excel with finer material but can struggle with long, stringy hay or straw. Always consider the wettest, clumpiest, most difficult-to-spread material you will ever have.

Finally, think about your property’s layout. A Power Take-Off (PTO) driven spreader gives you independent control over the beater and apron speed, which is a huge advantage over ground-driven models. This lets you apply a heavy layer to a depleted garden bed or a light dusting to an established pasture, all while adjusting your tractor’s ground speed to navigate hills or tight corners.

Millcreek 27+ Spreader: Compact and Reliable

Millcreek has a long-standing reputation for building quality equipment, and the 27+ is a perfect example for the serious hobby farmer. With a 27-bushel (34 cubic foot) capacity, it’s a great match for operations with a few horses, a small herd of goats, or a flock of chickens. It’s built to last, often featuring a poly floor that won’t rust or rot out like wood or steel.

The key advantage of the 27+ is its balance of size and durability. It’s small enough to be nimble in tight spaces and manageable for tractors in the 20-30 HP range, yet it’s built with the same design principles as larger agricultural spreaders. This isn’t a toy; it’s a scaled-down piece of real farm machinery designed for years of service.

Frontier MS1105G: For Subcompact Tractors

If you run a subcompact tractor under 25 HP, your options can feel limited, but the Frontier MS1105G is designed specifically for this class. As a John Deere partner brand, Frontier equipment is built to integrate seamlessly with their smaller tractors. This 25-bushel spreader is ground-driven, but it’s one of the best in its class and worth considering if a PTO model is out of reach for your tractor size.

Note: While this article focuses on PTO models, the MS1105G is a top contender for those whose tractors can’t support a PTO version. The simple, rugged design means fewer things can go wrong. Its low profile makes it easy to load with a small front-end loader or even by hand. For the owner of a 1-series or 2-series tractor, this is often the most practical and correctly scaled choice.

ABI Classic 25 PTO Spreader for Small Herds

ABI Attachments targets the small-acreage and equestrian markets, and their Classic 25 PTO Spreader reflects that focus. This 25-bushel unit is engineered for the kind of manure produced by one to four horses. It features an apron chain that moves the load and shredding beaters that provide a fine, even spread pattern ideal for pastures.

What sets the ABI apart is its attention to user-friendly details. The controls are straightforward, and the build quality is meant to withstand the daily grind of a small farm. The controlled spread from the PTO drive is particularly useful for pasture management, as it allows you to avoid smothering the grass while still returning valuable nutrients to the soil. It’s a purpose-built tool for those who prioritize pasture health.

Pequea 25G: A Durable, Compact Box Spreader

Pequea (pronounced "pek-way") is known for making no-nonsense, durable farm equipment, and their 25G manure spreader is a testament to that philosophy. This is a traditional box spreader design, scaled down for compact tractors. With a 25-bushel capacity, it’s a workhorse for small farms with varied livestock.

The strength of the Pequea 25G is its simplicity and robust construction. It typically features a steel box and a straightforward PTO-driven chain and beater system. This isn’t the most feature-rich spreader, but it’s reliable and easy to maintain. For someone who wants a tool that just works, season after season, the Pequea is a very strong contender.

CountyLine 25 Bushel Spreader: A Solid Value

Often found at retailers like Tractor Supply, the CountyLine 25 Bushel Spreader offers an accessible entry point into PTO-driven spreading. It provides the core functionality needed for a small farm—a 25-bushel capacity and PTO-powered beaters—at a competitive price point. This makes it a popular choice for new homesteaders or those on a tighter budget.

While it may not have the heavy-duty components or refined features of premium brands, it gets the job done. For someone with a couple of cows or a small flock of sheep, it’s more than capable of handling the workload. The key is realistic expectations; it’s a solid value tool that requires proper maintenance and shouldn’t be pushed beyond its intended capacity.

Land Pride MS0550: Heavy-Duty Small Spreader

Land Pride has a reputation for building tough, often overbuilt, attachments, and the MS0550 is no exception. While it has a modest 50-cubic-foot (around 40-bushel) capacity, it feels like a much larger machine. It’s designed for compact tractors but built with heavier gauge steel and more robust components than many competitors.

This is the spreader for someone who is hard on their equipment or dealing with particularly dense, heavy manure. The PTO drive provides consistent power to the beaters, ensuring it can break up packed material. If you value longevity and durability above all else and have a tractor with enough lift capacity to handle its heavier frame, the Land Pride is an excellent investment.

Matching Spreader Size to Your Tractor and Needs

The single biggest mistake is buying a spreader that’s too big for your tractor. It’s not just about horsepower; it’s about weight and stability. A loaded spreader can push a small tractor down a wet hill or make the front end dangerously light. Your tractor’s operator manual is your best friend here—check the maximum drawbar load and lift capacity.

Think about your workflow. A smaller, 25-bushel spreader might require more trips to empty the pile, but each trip is faster and safer. A larger 40- or 50-bushel model saves trips but requires a more capable tractor and wider paths. Consider these factors:

• Tractor HP: The bare minimum for most compact PTO spreaders is 18-20 HP.
• Tractor Weight: A heavier tractor provides a more stable platform for a heavy, loaded spreader.
• Loading Method: If you’re loading with a shovel, a lower-sided spreader is a blessing. If using a loader, ensure it can easily clear the sides.
• Acreage Size: For just a few acres, multiple trips with a small spreader is perfectly manageable.

Ultimately, it’s better to have a spreader you can safely and confidently use every time than a larger one that sits in the barn because conditions aren’t perfect. A smaller spreader used frequently is far more effective than a large one used rarely.

Investing in the right PTO manure spreader is an investment in your soil’s fertility and your own time. It closes the nutrient loop on your homestead, turning a daily chore into a powerful tool for building a more productive and sustainable farm. Choose wisely, match it to your tractor, and you’ll wonder how you ever managed that pile without it.