Broadcasting small seed like clover......
#22

Like mrbb said, I feel as though clover seed is too small and expensive to use ATV. I use a hand spreader, figure out the area that should be covered by the amount in the spreader at the recommended application rate, and walk at a speed that equates to the spreader volume vs. area to be covered. It doesn't take much time to cover a significant amount of ground. If you are planting large acreage, over say five + acres, find a farmer with the appropriate equipment.
#23
Spike
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 20

I sowed another 1.0 ac of clover on top of a WI oats cover crop with my Moultries ATV electric seed and I feel I wasted 0%. I set the seeder to sow at 50% ad sow it 2 times. This 1 ac of clover seeding took all of 10 minutes with my gold cart and Moultries seeder.
On the same day I sowed 1/2 ac of turnip-radish set at 50% and even doing it 2 times it took all of 5 minutes and no walking on my sore knees and hips.
On the same day I sowed 1/2 ac of turnip-radish set at 50% and even doing it 2 times it took all of 5 minutes and no walking on my sore knees and hips.
#24
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,743

I sowed another 1.0 ac of clover on top of a WI oats cover crop with my Moultries ATV electric seed and I feel I wasted 0%. I set the seeder to sow at 50% ad sow it 2 times. This 1 ac of clover seeding took all of 10 minutes with my gold cart and Moultries seeder.
On the same day I sowed 1/2 ac of turnip-radish set at 50% and even doing it 2 times it took all of 5 minutes and no walking on my sore knees and hips.
On the same day I sowed 1/2 ac of turnip-radish set at 50% and even doing it 2 times it took all of 5 minutes and no walking on my sore knees and hips.
#25
Spike
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 20

I sowed the recommended amount for 1.0 ac of 8 lbs. I set the electric seeder at a very small opening of about 50% from past experience and sow the seed 2 times. This time I did set the opening a little too small and had to seed the 1.0 ac 3 times. Not one wasted seed.
I've been seeding and spreading fertilizer at 50% for the last 5 yrs and never had a problem. The very 1st year I used the recommended seeding gauge opening on my hand seeder and ran out of seed before done. Six years ago when I started planting food plots I ran out of fertilizer 3/4 the way through the plots. That's also the reason I started using 50% and doing everything 2 times. It works for me.
I've been seeding and spreading fertilizer at 50% for the last 5 yrs and never had a problem. The very 1st year I used the recommended seeding gauge opening on my hand seeder and ran out of seed before done. Six years ago when I started planting food plots I ran out of fertilizer 3/4 the way through the plots. That's also the reason I started using 50% and doing everything 2 times. It works for me.
#26
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,743

I sowed the recommended amount for 1.0 ac of 8 lbs. I set the electric seeder at a very small opening of about 50% from past experience and sow the seed 2 times. This time I did set the opening a little too small and had to seed the 1.0 ac 3 times. Not one wasted seed.
I've been seeding and spreading fertilizer at 50% for the last 5 yrs and never had a problem. The very 1st year I used the recommended seeding gauge opening on my hand seeder and ran out of seed before done. Six years ago when I started planting food plots I ran out of fertilizer 3/4 the way through the plots. That's also the reason I started using 50% and doing everything 2 times. It works for me.
I've been seeding and spreading fertilizer at 50% for the last 5 yrs and never had a problem. The very 1st year I used the recommended seeding gauge opening on my hand seeder and ran out of seed before done. Six years ago when I started planting food plots I ran out of fertilizer 3/4 the way through the plots. That's also the reason I started using 50% and doing everything 2 times. It works for me.
I have always had the complete oppisite results with smnall seeds in a atv mounted spreader
I always use a bag spreader on plots up to 3 acres
and I typically planted 16 acres a food plots a yr for about 20+ yrs now
glad it works for you, but I do think your an exception to the rule over the norm with an atv spreader
hey what ever works, have at it!
#28
Spike
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Southern piedmont of Virginia
Posts: 60

I used an ATV spreader from Gemplers for a number of years. It had a pretty fine gate adjustment and I could close it enough for clover or alfalpha. It died this year and in a pinch I bought a $100 ATV spreader from Tractor Supply, mostly because I couldn’t wait for another one from Gemplers, and it worked great. Fine gate adjustment and flings seeds about 20 feet. The only downside is it’s small and only holds about 50 pounds of seed or fertilizer which means stopping and refilling on larger plots. But...it does work and it’s a good price.
#30
Spike
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 1

I bought a seed spreader from Sportsman's Guide, mounted to the front rack of my ATV. I attached a sheet metal plate in the rectangular opening just above the metal slider. I drilled 10 or so 1/16th holes in the metal plate. This slows down the drop rate to the point I can use this spread for clover. Need to experiment with size and number of holes. I drilled out two pop rivets and used the holes to bolt the restrictor plate in place using number 8 bolts, such as you would use to mount an electrical outlet to the box. Start with minimum (10) holes, check seed rate and drill more if necessary. Use wingnuts on the # 8 bolts, if possible for easy changeout for coarser seeds such as oats. Works great for clover. Make 3 or four passes at a low spread rate so you don't overseed and run out. The clover seed is expensive if you use good quality seed.