EZ dumper salt spreader

[Bugthug]

I have an opportunity to buy a year old DownEaster salt spreader for an easy dumper. It is a year old and is in good shape.The problem is the guy hooked it up with just 1 switch. No variable speed controler for auger or spinner. The guy that has it says it works fine. In my thinking I think it would not be efficient having it run full speed all the time. The guy thought it would be easier this way to use and he opted not to take the factory controller when he bought it. anyone have any ideas on cost for the correct set up ?
Thanx. Mark

[wyldman]

Karrier makes a nice aftermarket controller which would work.

Check out www.karrierco.com

[RWA]

I agree. My Magnum tailgate spreader came with a Karrier Omega controller. Good quality unit. I also have a Karrier Sure Flow vibrator, also a very nice unit.
Roy

[Lawn Lad]

We run both of our Smith electric spreaders with only on/off. The only adjustment being the gate for how much material is flowing from the hopper to the spinner. I prefer variable speed but was told with Smith Elec you can't use a variable speed controller. Does anyone use variable speed controller on their Smith?

How does the DownEaster regulate flow? Full on isn't bad as long as you can turn down the amount of material flowing (unlike some single stage tail gate units). Is there a variable speed controller for the spreader available? Was thinking about a unit like this for a pick up truck next year if we needed another salter.

[4evergreenlawns]

Bug,

I have the Downeaster spreader on a Downeaster dump insert. A few things real quick.

1st, this unit is flat out awesome.

2nd, The auger is not adjustable on of only.

3rd, the spinner is a buyer motor and I am running a buyers variable speed controller on that. Just wire the spinner motor off the second controller and leave the second factory plug disconnected.

4th, there is a feed gate as well to control the amount of materail coming off the auger than you can adjust the pattern with the spinner.


I have been just turning on the spinner motor and then I use the on/off for the auger when I want to drop salt, also adjusting the speed on the spinner for pattern width as I go. I can tell you this much if I had a change to get a good deal on a second unit for my other P/U I would do it in a second.

[4evergreenlawns]

side view

[4evergreenlawns]

The toggle on the side is the on/off for the auger.

Here is the feed gate.

Might be hard to see in this pic but just above the spinner you can see the track and there is a know to the left with a sliding cover so to speak. Full open it is about 6"- 8" X about 4" you can close it down as small as you want. I find it runs/feeds best about about 1/3 all the way to full open.

[4evergreenlawns]

BTW,

I just upgraded to the newer Buyers controller off of Ebay for $185.00 brand new. Just for the controller you will need to run the wire and such.

Good luck le me know if you need more info. Also might want to post in spreader forum another guy has a Downeaster spreader mounted to a EZ dump running sand. I am sure he has great info too.