Category · Fertilizer Spreaders
Three tow-behind spreaders researched and ranked — coverage accuracy, auto-stop, build quality, and what each manufacturer actually publishes about materials. The one to buy for most lawns, and the one to buy when accuracy matters more than price.
A tow-behind spreader is a simple machine, so the buying decision comes down to four things — and only one of them is really about price.
Auto-stop is the big one. Without it, material keeps falling whenever you pause with the gate open, leaving a concentrated pile that burns the grass at every stop and turn. If you've ever had burnt patches, pay for auto-stop. If you're disciplined about closing the gate before you stop, you can skip it and save real money.
Capacity decides how often you refill. Roughly, 130 lb covers about half an acre per fill and 175 lb stretches further — match it to your lawn so you're not stopping to reload mid-treatment. Materials compatibility matters if you spread more than fertilizer, and the picture is messier than most spec tables admit: Chapin's manual rules out lime, sand and salt alike; Agri-Fab publishes salt and ice melt but not lime or sand; Brinly confirms sand outright but is silent on lime outside its marketing copy. If lime is part of your pH program, call the manufacturer rather than trusting any spec table — ours included. And spread width and pattern consistency — most residential tow-behinds throw 10 to 12 feet, but how even that pattern stays at speed is what separates the good ones from the cheap ones.
The three picks below are ranked with those four factors in mind: the accuracy pick for most lawns, the one built for ATV and UTV use, and the value pick. If you're still deciding between a tow-behind and a push model at all, start with tow-behind vs. push spreader, and once you've bought, calibrate it properly before the first pass.
Patented Autoflow stops material the moment you stop. Directional spread pattern control for clean edge work. Stainless steel internals that survive corrosive fertilizers season after season. Built in Indiana since 1839.
Dual impeller auto-stop built for ATV and UTV use. Oil-impregnated bearings need no maintenance. Wide-tread 14-inch tires handle rough terrain. Made in Batavia, NY with a limited lifetime warranty. Note: Chapin's manual rules out lime, sand and salt/ice melt alike.
The most widely available residential tow-behind spreader. Enclosed gearbox, seat-operated steel rod flow control. Rated for salt and ice melt, which the Chapin prohibits; lime and sand are not on Agri-Fab's list. No auto-stop — close the gate before stopping. 3-year warranty.