Agri-Fab 130 Lb. Tow Behind Broadcast Spreader

Aweful installation instructions given. Scan the QR Code for the video as noted and it started the installation video 1/3 of the way thru installation. Didn't ever show how to completely start installation process from the start as shipped to me. Once completed, went to roll the spreader and the spreader impeller sticks and wheels will not turn. Just had to set it off to the side and will try and figure out later what is wrong with it. Very frustrating.

Have had the agri fab pull behind spreader for 3 years now. It flips over very easily on any kind of grade. It flipped over this past weekend while trying to plant food plots and the bar that attaches to the back of the ATV bent. Pretty cheaply built and not stable; if your ground has any hills or bumps buy a unit that attaches to the rack it’d you ATV/UTV and save yourself the aggravation and wasted product.

I purchased this in March 2025. Used it once, tried to use it today Aug 11 and the drive wheel is unable to turn due to corrosion on the agitator shaft. It was stored inside garage. Very disappointed with the quality of this product. My Scott’s speedy green push spreader is 10 years old been abused and still isn’t corroded to the point it is unusable.

At 73 I figured it’s time for tow behind spreader but I’ve only used a few times as it’s impossible for me to reach open and close handle. I’m planning to try again and see if I can open Shute get on lawnmower and spread before to much falls out. Can’t see inside bucket to know if I’ve emptied it or not. I’m on a Troy-bolt zero turn mower.

Said “some assembly required” Ha - how about “complete assembly required”! Impossible to reach control lever from tractor seat! Right side doesn’t spread at all, or maybe just a very small amount . Poor bucket design - product doesn’t completely empty - not even close Bought to save time. Can do manual spreader! Sorry I didn’t read the numerous bad reviews first.

Doesn’t disperse at the required setting; need to increase

This 130 lb. spreader replaced an older (15 years+) Agri-Fab spreader. I fertilize approx. 1 1/2 acres of grass and typically use 6, 10,000 sq. foot bags of Weed & Feed fertilizer with a lawn and garden mower. Pros: I have a mechanical background and found assembly fairly easy. For those not having this type of background, take your time, leave all bolts / fasteners finger tight or 1 thread loose and only tighten when instructed in the manual. Make sure all bolts are inserted in the correct direction as per the illustrations, and you should be good. The spread pattern, as stated in the operating instructions, is dependent on the opening setting and vehicle speed. The hopper is a little higher on this model but not a problem for me and it did not seem top heavy when full. I have about 15-degree slopes on my property. I put two 10,000 sq ft bags into the hopper with no overflow problems. Spreader cleans up well after use. Cons: While using for the first time, the lock nut securing the "Open / Closed" lever and tension spring assembly came loose and fell off. I had the same type of nylon locknuts on hand and was able to repair. While not what I'd call a major defect, I couldn't give a 5 Star because of this but still recommend this spreader. I would recommend assuring ALL factory installed fasteners are tight as a final step in the assy. which I normally do but failed to do so this time. Conclusion: Other than the loose fastener, which may or may not have been a MFR issue, I recommend this spreader. It's good for up to 2-3 acres and it had a good, even, and consistent spread pattern once I adjusted my speed to get the desired results. I do agree with other reviews that state there's residual fertilizer at the end of a spread that requires a little shaking but not a big deal for me. I do think it has the capability for larger areas, but I haven't used it for more than the stated 1 1/2 acres. I would suggest if the MFR see other similar reports of loose / missing hardware to review the factory assy. process involved and adjust if required. I used a piece of shipping cardboard attached to the rear of my tractor to prevent fertilizer hitting it. Cheap and effective.

CONCERNING THE QUICK START GUIDE The instructions were clear enough. Illustrations were well drawn although the illustrations for STEP 12 (Figure 12) could have been larger due to the difficulty understanding how parts "P" and "M" worked with the flow control rod and the flow control arm. Time to assemble is going to depend on the skill of the assembler. Time for us would be about two hours spread out over several days as we had other things to do. We do have a couple of suggestions that some may find helpful. 1. For bending the cotter pins a vice grip helped us as we have arthritic hands. 2. A 7/16" socket wrench made the tightening of the nuts and bolts go much faster. We used a hand operated socket wrench so as to not over tighten the bolts. 3. STEP 15 (SEE FIGURE 14) instructs the assembler to put the wheel onto the end of the axle with no hole. Only a hub cap holds the wheel on and there is not as much axle for the hub cap to bite in to as there is on the other side of the axle. 4. Also STEP 16 (SEE FIGURE 15) shows a 3/16" x 2" cotter pin holding the wheel in place. As mentioned above, this side if the axle has more of the axle to bite in to than STEP 15. The point is that the wheel in STEP 15 (SEE FIGURE 14) is not as secure as the wheel in STEP 16 (SEE FIGURE 15). We really love that this product is made in America. The quality of the parts is first-rate.

It was a good experience. Well built. I encountered two issues. The first I caused due to not aligning the spread rate gauge. This caused the inconsistent release of the fertilizer. I was able to adjust. The second was that I was not able to reach the spreader rate handle from my mower seat to start and stop the release as I was moving as needed according to the instructions. I accommodated this by strapping an extension rod to the lever arm. Was not elegant, but it worked.

I agree with many of the comments about LEVELING the spreader and the reversal if the "connector bars" was the best. Also almost all have said that you cannot reach the bar from the seat of most lawn tractors. THIS SHOULD BE IMPROVED BY AGRI-FAB. I am 6'2'' and also need an extension. My thought is to get some plastic pipe of the right diameters so after heating with a torch and compressing it in a vise it should slip over the end of rectangular metal Agri-Fab open/close 'arm". After the compressed part slips over agri-fab's end I would heat the plastic/PVC pipe above that arm and then bend it toward the lawn tractor seat to as long as you need and then hacksaw it off as needed. That way there is NO DRILLING involved and the fit on the agri-fab open/close "arm" should also be a tight fit. AGRI-FAB SHOULD BE ADDING THESE OPTIONS AS ALMOST EVERYONE HAS THESE ISSUES of a level spreader for different mowers and a MUCH LONGER OPEN/CLOSE BAR. Cheers, Dave D

MAYBE YOU NEED TO HIRE SOME BODY TO WRITE YOUR INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOU.ASSEMBLY WAS POOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just received my Agri-Fab 130 lb. spreader. First thought when I seen the box was that parts were going to be missing, the box was retaped and looks like it was in a kick ball game. Then when I lifted up the box the parts were rolling around inside and thought that not going to be good when I open the box. Should include a spray bottle of paint to touch up all the scratches and nicks. The packing department should add more filling to keep the parts more secured inside the box. Enough of the packing this spreader is the best one I have seen. Its well-made and looks like it will last for many many years. Didn't take long to assemble just read the direction carefully. Don't hesitate to buy this, plus its made in the USA.

Assembly instructions were not great, but then many are not. Real problems were missing parts…..part “M” washers were missing. And spacer “L” was too wide on the drive wheel side, had to jury rig washers to get spacing that would work in order to pin the drive wheel on. Have not actually used the spreader yet.

I initially borrowed one from a friend. It worked so well I bought my own. Liked using a tow behind instead of a push model (size of property and grade). All parts were included and it assembled easily. Fair priced and user friendly it made my spreader walking days a sweaty memory.

Very nice and functional. The only issue is sharp turns will cause the spreader to flip over.

Quality built, easy to assemble. Works as advertised.

I bought this a week ago and glad I did it seams to be a good deal

This spreader is very well built and will last for many seasons to come. The assembly instructions were well thought out and easy to follow. I am very happy that I chose this Agri Fab 140lb tow behind spreader.

Whoever is placing the Supplement sheet AFTER all the numerous assembly steps, shame on you! Flipping the axle around after it is already assembled requires completely taking the the whole spreader back apart and starting from scratch as correct axle direction is one of the very first steps to assembly. Plastic axle shaft bushing for one side was broke and had a piece missing out of the side of it. No, I am not taking this all back apart to correct the axle direction. The loose revised assembly supplement sheet should have been placed at the front of the assembly manual where it belongs, not shoved in the middle after all the steps are completed! I had to place the 2 washers on the outside of the wheel to get the cotter pin hole to align.

I haven’t used it yet but I just got it and put it together and I think this thing might survive a direct nuclear strike..! The only negative are the instructions aren’t as clear as they should be.. the supplement helped but it might be time to retype and reprint the building directions.. also you could mention to install the caps on the pipes, put the cap on the ground and push the pipe down onto it, then finish with the hammer.. Product wise I’m giving you an A+ for now and I may re-review again later after using it.