UTV spreader with electric gate

An electric feed gate lets you start and stop material flow from the vehicle. Choose a spreader for the material you need to apply: a food-plot seed and fertilizer spreader is not automatically suitable for ice melt or sand.

The models below use an electric gate, but their mounting arrangements differ. Confirm the spreader model, mounting kit and your UTV’s load and electrical limits before buying.

Below are electric-gate spreaders for food-plot work or ice control, with the intended use and mounting limitations explained separately.

Here are three quick things to know about buying a UTV spreader with electric gate before we start.

UTV spreader with electric gate: Buying guide

1.      Durability

It’s the question that pops in our minds most: will it last?

Or more to the point: since they can be quite expensive, can I use it for a lifetime (no pun intended!).

Construction alone does not guarantee service life. Follow the specific spreader manual for cleaning, corrosion prevention and storage, especially after applying fertilizer.

2.       Capacity

Another thing you have to worry about is the amount of load the hopper can carry.

A larger hopper means fewer refills, but the combined weight of spreader, mount and material must remain within the vehicle, rack or receiver limits as well as the hopper rating.

Are you business-minded?

If you answered yes, go for nothing short of units designed for commercial users.

Of course, a medium capacity could suffice for small to medium-sized food plots.

And finally…

3.      Is it compatible with your UTV?

You probably already know this: the UTV spreader with electric feed gate mounts on your vehicle to spread materials.

To be specific, this device goes to the back of your UTV (although certain models can be hooked to the front).

And that’s what should concern you because you need it to connect effortlessly with your vehicle for it to work.

An ATV rack bracket is not a universal UTV mount. Check the exact bracket and receiver requirements; the MAXXTUFF MTF126 requires a separately sold MTF129 conversion bracket for its UTV/Truck receiver mounting arrangement.

UTV spreader with electric gate reviews

The MAXXTUFF below is a food-plot spreader; the SnowEx SP-100-1 is an ice-control model. Match the application and vehicle mounting requirements before comparing them.

Here is what we think about each along with the most noteworthy pros and cons:

1. MAXXTUFF MTF126 ATV Spreader with Electronic Feed Gate

For seed and fertilizer work, this electric-gate UTV/ATV seed spreader uses a wired handheld controller with six flow settings. It is the MTF126 electronic model, not the similar manual-gate version.

The tapered plastic hopper holds up to 100 pounds, with a lid and deflection shield. The manufacturer lists seed, fertilizer and corn; do not assume it is also suitable for sand or ice melt.

Its included bracket is for compatible ATV racks. For UTV or truck installation, MAXXTUFF specifies the separate MTF129 conversion bracket and a suitable 2-inch receiver. Confirm that you can obtain the required bracket and that the vehicle can carry the complete loaded setup before buying the spreader.

Pros

• Gate opening controlled from the wired handset.
• Six flow settings for different application rates.
• Quick-release system for removal after use.

Cons

• The required UTV conversion bracket is not included.
• Mounting, electrical supply and total loaded weight must suit your vehicle.

2. SnowEx SP-100-1 Utility Spreader with Electric Gate

The SnowEx SP-100-1 is a 3.0-cubic-foot tailgate spreader for ice-control applications. It is a different type of product from the MAXXTUFF food-plot spreader above.

SnowEx specifies fine de-icing materials, including calcium chloride pellets and calcium flakes, for the SP-100-1. Do not extend that list to sand, lime or other materials without manufacturer approval.

The SP-100-1 has an electric gate to start and stop material flow to the spinner. The similar SP-125-1 uses a manual gate, so check the model designation when ordering.

Then there’s a weather-resistant, cab-mounted variable speed control to help you adjust the spinner speed and manage the spread swath appropriately.

The standard mount uses a 2-inch receiver. Verify the vehicle’s receiver, load capacity, clearances and electrical requirements; sharing a hitch size does not by itself establish safe fit.

Also noteworthy is the clear weather cover (keeps the material safe from the outside moisture) together with a hardy electric-powered spinner motor (gets electricity from your vehicle).

Pros

• Electric gate and variable spinner-speed control.
• Specified for the listed fine de-icing materials.
• Standard 2-inch receiver mounting arrangement.

Cons

• Not a general-purpose seed, sand or lime recommendation.
• Vehicle and mounting limits may restrict the permitted load.

More Helpful tips

·         Care for your equipment

At the end of the day, this is pretty much like other garden equipment meaning that the secret to longevity is proper care.

Subsequently, put some effort and follow your vehicle’s owner’s manual instructions with respect to recommended maintenance procedures and routine care.

Use the cleaning procedure for your exact model. Remove fertilizer residue as directed, and protect electrical controls and connections rather than assuming the whole assembly can be hosed down.

Likewise, don’t leave unused material in the hopper- material could harden up/freeze, messing your unit.

·         Look out for the total spreader weight

For safety, do not exceed the maximum material capacity shown on the paperwork (overloading could cause an accident/damage.).

Be sure to add the weight of spreader, mount, plus the material weight when determining the total spreader weight.

·         Observe spreading best practices

Implement the following advice to achieve accurate and even spreading:

• Pay steady attention to your UTV spreader settings- Getting them right might be the best bet for an efficient distribution of chemicals and other products on the yard.
• Spread at the perfect speed- For every material type, adjust the speed up/down to obtain an acceptable pattern.
• Check coverage- Use the gate, spinner and travel-speed adjustments provided on your model. Test the spread pattern and application rate; do not assume these units have an adjustable auger.

Wrapping it up

We’ve dug up the best UTV spreaders with electric gate and presented them to you in this guide.

They can be expensive, yes but looking at the big picture, it’s a little price to pay for a device that brings so much convenience to your gardening hobby.

Choose the MAXXTUFF for its specified food-plot materials or the SnowEx for its listed de-icing materials. Check the exact model, mounting accessories and permitted load rather than assuming every electric-gate spreader performs all of these jobs.

One last word: just don’t forget to calibrate its electric flow control.