Meyer's MS485, Operator'S Manual / Parts Book

Page: 17 / 88

M o d e l M S 4 8 5 17 | P a g e
TRACTOR TOWING SIZE REQUIREMENTS
The spreader does not have brakes, towing the spreader must be done safely. The ASAE (American Society of
Agricultural Engineers) specifies that the towing vehicle should weigh at least 2/3 as much as the loaded
implement to be reasonably safe towing at speeds up to 20 mph. This (20 mph) is also the maximum
recommended towing speed for the spreader.
The loaded weight of your spreader will naturally vary with the moisture of the manure and you must consider that
for your conditions.
Use the following charts for calculating spreader gross weight and minimum tractor weight:
LOAD TYPE CAPACITY
MS485
Struck Level 485 ft
3
Heaped 735 ft
3
Calculations
Load Weight Capacity (ft
3
) x Material Weight (lbs. / ft
3
) = Load Weight
Spreader Gross Weight Empty Load Weight = Gross Weight
Minimum Tractor Weight Spreader Gross Weight x (2/3) = Min Tractor Weight
ESTIMATED WEIGHTS PER CUBIC FOOT
Material LBS / FT
3
Lime Sludge 110-115 LBS.
Dry Feedlot Manure 63-65 LBS.
Chicken Litter 63-65 LBS.
Cake Sludge 62-65 LBS.
Semi-Solid Manure 58-60 LBS.
Pen Packed Manure 30-35 LBS.
Liquid Manure 63-65 LBS.
FIGURE 2. PTO DRIVELINE MIN-MAX DIMENSIONS
NOTICE!
HEAPED LOADS HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY
HIGHER CAPACITIES RESULTING IN
INCREASED WEIGHT AND HIGHER CENTER
OF GRAVITY, REQUIRING EXTRA
PRECAUTION DURING OPERATION.
EXAMPLE (MS400)
A struck level load of semi-solid manure:
Load Weight = 485 x 60 = 29,100 LBS
Gross Weight = 15,000 + 29,100 = 44,100 LBS
Tractor Weight = 44,100 x (2/3) = 29,400 LBS
57” MINIMUM – 78” MAXIMUM
8” MINIMUM SLEEVE OVERLAP