Any luck with manual (roller-type) compost spreaders?

[green husker]

Contemplating purchasing a compost spreader, and wondering if any of you have experience with them. (Or perhaps you've had a less-than-great experience and have one you'd like to dispose of!) Have trolled the internet and found HuMor makes (or wholesales) two models. I think one is just slightly larger than the other. This would be used for homemade compost, which of course wouldn't be screened much; I realize this may clog up the spreader openings, but am wondering if I were to put some rocks or a few sharp-edged objects in the spreader with the compost if that would help disperse the stuff any better. We don't have a huge yard, but applying with shovel or by hand isn't feasible. (Have tried it previously; not very good results.) Have a bin I need to empty, and have only so many azaleas to plant with.

Any other great ideas? Thanks in advance, GreenHusker

[Gar]

green husker, When I put compost on my yard I spread it by hand. I fill up the wheel barrow and grab a hand full and toss it over the yard. Currently I am only working on my front yard. Eventually I will include all 1.25 acreas. The only screening I do is remove the big chunks and toss them into the side of the compost bin to further continue composting. The only time I use a spreader is when I spread molasses and corn meal combination.

[Dchall_San_Antonio]

The only one I've seen that seemed worth a hoot was a commercial spreader. The one you're contemplating will clog up right away and become a nuisance.

[dicksie]

What do you mean by compost spreader? Can you supply a link to a Web site with a picture of one?

[green husker]

Compost spreader update;

Finally got around to buying one, and it's pretty handy. Storage is kind of a pain, but the handle slips off and I hang the unit high up on the garage wall, in a corner, to avoid banging my head on it.

So far we've used it 3 or 4 times, and works pretty well, both the homegrown compost and the bagged variety. The material does tend to 'marble' up towards the end of a run, so I just dump out the big crumbs and toss them back into the composter. Next time I might just leave the mess on the driveway to bake for a couple of days, and when it's dry, run over it with the car tires, then sweep up and sprinkle on the lawn.

Link: http://www.emeraldseedandsupply.com/lawn/index.html

I bought mine on eBay, I think; couldn't find a local source for them. Came in a cardboard carton, and the only assembly requirement was attaching the handle. As the drum is about 18" in diameter X 24" wide, make sure you have a place to store one before purchasing; it's made of perforated steel, so you don't want to leave it outside all the time or it won't last very long.

Which reminds me: time to turn the pile again.

GreenHusker