6 Best Cub Cadet Tow Spreaders For Hobby Farmers For Small Acreage

Spreading seed, fertilizer, or lime by hand across a couple of acres gets old fast, turning a hopeful task into a day of back-breaking labor. A reliable tow-behind spreader isn’t a luxury; it’s a fundamental tool for managing small acreage efficiently. Choosing the right one means less time on the tractor and better results for your pastures, lawns, or food plots.

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Choosing the Right Spreader for Your Small Farm

The biggest mistake is buying a spreader based on capacity alone. A massive 175-lb. hopper seems efficient, but if you’re navigating tight corners around garden beds or a small orchard, its wide wheelbase and turning radius become a constant frustration. The right spreader balances capacity with maneuverability for your specific layout.

Consider the materials you’ll be spreading most often. Fine grass seed, coarse pelletized lime, and clumpy compost all flow differently. A spreader with a simple open/close lever might be fine for uniform fertilizer, but for more varied materials, you’ll want a model with more precise gate control to prevent clogs and ensure an even application.

Finally, look at the tires. Pneumatic (air-filled) tires are essential for the uneven ground typical of a small farm. They absorb bumps, prevent the spreader from bouncing and skipping, and reduce soil compaction compared to solid plastic wheels. A wider tire footprint provides better stability on slopes and soft ground, which is a critical safety and performance feature.

Cub Cadet 175-lb. Spreader: For 3+ Acre Coverage

This is the workhorse for someone managing three to five acres of open pasture or large lawns. Its large poly hopper means you can load it up with three or four bags of fertilizer and cover a significant area without stopping to refill. This is a massive time-saver when a weather window is closing in.

The trade-off for that capacity is size and weight. Fully loaded, this unit is heavy, so you’ll need a garden tractor or small utility vehicle with enough power to pull it, especially on inclines. It’s best suited for long, straight runs where you can maintain a consistent speed. It’s not the nimble tool you want for weaving between young fruit trees or along winding paths.

This spreader shines for big, straightforward jobs: broadcasting cover crops on a prepared field, applying lime to an entire pasture, or overseeding a large hayfield. If your property is mostly open space and efficiency is your top priority, the 175-lb. model is a strong contender.

Cub Cadet 130-lb. Spreader: A Versatile Workhorse

For the typical one-to-three-acre hobby farm, the 130-lb. spreader often hits the sweet spot. It holds enough material—typically two to three bags—to make meaningful progress on a job, but it remains more maneuverable than its larger sibling. You can cover a decent-sized paddock without constant refilling, yet it’s not so cumbersome that navigating a few obstacles becomes impossible.

This model represents a smart compromise. It’s large enough that you don’t feel like you’re constantly running back to the barn for more seed, but small enough to be pulled by most standard riding mowers or lawn tractors. Its slightly smaller frame makes storage less of a headache, too.

Think of this as the all-arounder. It’s capable enough for overseeding a two-acre horse pasture but still manageable enough for fertilizing the half-acre lawn around the house. If you have a mix of open spaces and more complex areas, this spreader provides the best balance of capacity and agility.

Cub Cadet 125-lb. Spreader: Precise Flow Gating

While similar in capacity to the 130-lb. model, the key feature of the 125-lb. spreader is often its refined control system. This model typically includes features like directional spread control or an auto-stop function that closes the gate when the tractor stops moving. This prevents wasteful and damaging piles of fertilizer when you pause to open a gate or navigate a turn.

This precision is invaluable when working near sensitive areas. Spreading fertilizer along a driveway, a flower bed, or near a creek requires control. A directional setting or a shield can keep material out of waterways and off non-target plants, saving you money and protecting your environment.

This spreader is ideal for the hobby farmer who values accuracy as much as speed. If you’re applying expensive, specialized seed mixes or potent fertilizers where over-application could burn your turf, the enhanced control features justify the choice. It’s for the operator who measures twice and cuts once.

Cub Cadet 100-lb. Spreader: All-Season Reliability

The 100-lb. spreader is a fantastic all-season tool, particularly because its capacity is perfect for spreading ice melt on long driveways in the winter. It’s big enough to handle the job without constant refilling but light enough to be easily cleaned and stored. This dual-purpose capability makes it a very practical investment.

In the growing season, this size is perfect for one or two acres. It holds about two standard bags of fertilizer, which is often just right for a large garden, a small pasture, or a substantial food plot. Its lighter weight when full means less strain on your mower’s transmission and less soil compaction.

This is the quintessential "just right" size for many smallholders. It’s not overkill for smaller jobs but is still capable of tackling an acre or two efficiently. If your primary tasks are a large lawn, a long driveway, and a couple of food plots, this spreader offers year-round utility without the storage footprint of a larger model.

Cub Cadet 85-lb. Spreader: Ideal for Small Pastures

When your property is closer to one acre than five, the 85-lb. spreader makes perfect sense. It’s incredibly nimble, allowing you to easily trace the edges of oddly shaped paddocks or work around permanent fencing and water troughs. You sacrifice capacity, but you gain precision and ease of use.

This model is light enough to be pulled by virtually any riding mower. The reduced weight, even when full, makes it safer to operate on gentle slopes and easier to handle for operators of all strengths. It’s less of a beast to wrangle in and out of the shed.

Think of this spreader for targeted applications. It’s perfect for putting down starter fertilizer in a newly tilled market garden, overseeding a small goat or sheep pasture, or applying grub control to a one-acre yard. For tasks that require more finesse than brute force, this is the right tool.

Cub Cadet 80-lb. Spreader: Compact and Efficient

The 80-lb. spreader is the most compact and easy-to-handle option in the tow-behind lineup. Its small footprint makes it a breeze to store, hanging on a wall or tucking into a corner of a crowded garage or barn. If space is at a premium, this is a major advantage.

This spreader is built for properties under an acre or for very specific, targeted jobs on a larger property. For example, it’s perfect for spreading a specific amendment like gypsum only on the heavy clay section of your garden, or for seeding a small wildflower patch. The frequent refilling required for a big job is a feature, not a bug, when you only need to cover a small area.

Don’t dismiss its small size. For someone managing intricate landscaping, multiple small garden plots, or a small orchard, this spreader’s agility is far more valuable than a large hopper. It allows you to get the job done right in tight spaces where a larger machine would be a liability.

Spreader Maintenance and Calibration for Best Results

A spreader is a simple machine, but neglect will ruin it. Fertilizer is corrosive. After every single use with fertilizer or ice melt, you must wash the spreader thoroughly, inside and out. A quick rinse with a hose, paying special attention to the gearbox and axle, will prevent rust from seizing the components and eating through the frame.

Calibration isn’t just for commercial farmers. It’s about not wasting money or damaging your land. An easy way to check your application rate is to lay down a 10×10 foot tarp, make a pass over it at your normal speed, and then weigh the material that landed on it. This tells you exactly how much you’re putting down and allows you to adjust your gate setting for perfect accuracy.

Before each season, check the tire pressure and lubricate the gearbox according to the manual. A well-maintained spreader will give you consistent, reliable performance for years. A neglected one will give you striped pastures, wasted material, and frustration.

Ultimately, the best Cub Cadet tow spreader isn’t the one with the biggest number on the side, but the one that fits the scale and complexity of your land. By matching the machine’s capacity and features to your specific needs, you invest in a tool that saves time, reduces waste, and contributes to the health of your small farm.