Your dry spreader was built to your specifications. An manual came with your equipment. This book contains valuable information about operating, maintaining or repairing your equipment. In the back of your book is a Delivery & Inspection Sheet. This document is information about the components and features that are specific to your unit. Every manufactured Newton Crouch equipment has a serial number welded or bolted onto the frame of the unit.

Newton Crouch has a copy of Delivery & Inspection Sheets by serial number dating back to the early 1980’s. When ordering parts or for technical assistance, please have your serial number or Delivery and Inspection Sheet on hand. This number allows our technical staff to look up the original configuration of your equipment and will help to ensure you get the correct parts since many items look similar but are, in fact, different. Call us at 1-800-241-1350 to speak with a real person—-no menus, no recorded messages. Newton Crouch Equipment is MADE IN AMERICA!

  • Bed / Conveyor Chain
    There are 3 types of bedchain. To learn more details on how to tell what width and style you unit has, click here.
    There is only one style splice pin. However, there are different lengths.
    These are the 2 ends of a splice pin.
    Conveyor chain on a pull type or truck mounted spreader will need to be adjusted from time to time. It is adjusted by moving the front roller. Click here for a complete explanation of the adjustment process.
    Replacing your conveyor chain is sometimes necessary for the optimum performance of your spreader. First you must determine what type & length of chain required. Have your serial number ready when you call the Newton Crouch’s parts department. Click here for a step by step guide with photos and discussion.
    Bed chain is heavy, cumbersome and time consuming to install. Watch our shop guys give you all the tricks and tips on this process.
    Click here to see a How to Install Conveyor Chain
    Click here to see a How to Install Split Chain Conveyor
    If you have loaded your spreader, driven to the field and now your bedchain won’t turn on or has stopped working, you get frustrated fast. NCC techs suggest steps to fix this problem.
    For video instructions:

  • Chute
    Fertilizer / Lime, Litter & Sludge spreaders have a chute. The chute helps to adjust the spread pattern. For a complete explanation of the spreader chute, click here.
  • Gate
    Your gate controls how much material falls from the hopper bed onto the spinner dishes. It is important that you have a correct setting to get the proper pounds per acre.
    For video instructions:

  • Gear Box
    Gear Box for ground drive pull type dry fertilizer lime spreaderIf you have a ground drive pull type, your gear box turns your spinner dishes. The entire assembly is a series of 4 boxes total: 3 boxes in the 215 Assembly and 1 box in the 413 Assembly . This photo shows how the boxes are assembled together.Each box may be serviced.

    Instructions for the 215 Left or Right Spinner Gear Boxes

    Instructions for the Gear Box 215 Center Rebuilding rev 1.2017

    Instructions for the Gear Box 413 Assembling

  • Grains – How to Spread

    Chart of Various Grains or Seeds with Weight & DensityMany farmers use their dry spreaders to broadcast spread grains. In order to spread any grain with your spreader, you must know the pounds per cubic foot. If you don’t know that, take the weight in pounds per bushel and multiply by .8 to get the pounds per cubic foot. This chart from the University of Georgia has some of the most commonly spread seeds.
    For video instructions:

  • HCAAT High Clearance Adjustable Axle Spreader
    The HCAAT Spreader gives the farmer great versatility. He can have different row centers for different crops and need only on spreader.
    Videos available:

  • Herculiner

    Herculiner is a tough, non-slip coating applied to the trailer frame. It provides protection from corrosion caused by the effects of residual fertilizer, metal to paint wear. A frame without herculiner protection A frame with herculiner protection rusted frame without herculiner
    ALWAYS clean your unit after each use and before storage. Fertilizer left in the unit will cause corrosion and damage.
    Watch this quick video on damage caused by failure to clean equipment.

  • Hitches
    A hitch allows you to attach your unit to a tractor or truck. Your vehicle and your unit will determine what type of hitch you need. Newton Crouch offers 3 types of hitches for equipment: standard, clevis and spring. For a complete explanation of hitches, click here.
  • Hydraulics

    If you have a spreader with hydraulics, maintaining and working on your hydraulics keeps you going.

    If your truck spreader spinners suddenly slow or stop, you need to read this information.

    • Hydraulic problem caused by oil tank filter click here.
    • Hydraulic trouble shooting standard series single pump truck click here.
    To ensure you order the correct replacement pump for your hydraulic system, please click here.
  • Litter-Sludge-Compost Spreaders
    These spreaders have different chain and rollers than fertilizer-lime spreaders
    Click here for instruction on how to order litter chain and fax in order form.
    Click here for instruction on how to order a rear roller for a litter spreader and fax in order form.
    We’ve added a couple of videos just for the Litter Pull Type Spreader:
    During shipping your spreader’s valves are closed. You must open them before using your spreader.
    How to Use Flow Control Valves on your All Hydraulic Litter Pull Type Spreader
  • Pillar Block Bearings
    Pillar block bearings are just metal brackets that bolt on and hold a shaft. Right? Yeah, but when you replace them, better make sure they match what you have. Not all pillar block bearings are created equal. Watch this quickie video and hear our shop foreman explain the problem. Replacing Pillar Block Bearings
  • Product that is spread
    Quality Equipment + Proper Use + Good Product = GREAT Results! If you have a Newton Crouch spreader and you’ve followed instructions, then a last step is to check your product.
    Fertilizer segregation is the unmixing (or segregation) of different components in a blend during transport or application. The primary cause is difference in particle sizes of separate components.
    If a larger size component is blended with a smaller size component, the larger particles roll to the outside edge of piles whenever the blend is poured to form a cone. The smaller component tends to remain in the center of the pile. This phenomenon, known as coning, causes the ratio of nutrients in a blend to vary from one location to another in a storage pile. This type of segregation also causes the grade of material spread from an applicator to vary during application. fertilizer in proper loose form Small particles in fertilizer in clumps blend that segregate to the center of the pile in an applicator hopper are broadcast first. Segregation is compounded by the ballistic action of fertilizer from spinners because small particles do not travel as far from spinners as do large particles.
    How can you prevent fertilizer segregation? Ask your supplier to let you inspect the blend. Materials should have a similar size. Generally speaking, the sizes of the materials should not differ by more than 10%. Coning can be reduced by making several storage piles instead of a single large pile. Keeping your material moisture free is also important. Moisture can cause clumps to form.
    When fertilizer is clumped it can cause streaking in your spread pattern. In the photo here you can clearly see streaks in the product as it drops onto the spinners.
  • PTO Information
    Click here to learn more about how to adjust the PTO on your Newton Crouch Spreader. Your PTO is set for a specific number of revolutions. This 2 minute video discusses the PTO on a Self Contained Hydraulic Pull Type Spreader.click here. Great info quickly!
    Please use caution as PTO adjustment can be dangerous! It is YOUR responsibility to use good safety practices. If you would like to learn more about good safety habits please click here or visit www.admausa.com
    You need to know what type of gears your PTO has
    Facing the gear, first determine if the gear has straight or slanted edges. A slanted surface is a helical gear. A straight surface is a spur gear. Hold your hands up to the gear as shown in the diagram.
    The thumb on your left hand will point up following the slant on a Left Hand Helical Gear.
    The thumb on your right hand will point up following the slant on a Right Hand Helical Gear.
  • Rawson Gear Box
    The Rawson gear box has been replaced, but there are still many of them in service. This information if for those units that still have them.
    A quick video on adding oil to your Rawson gear box. click here. Short and to the point.
    The trick to removing your Rawson gear box. click here. Hint: There’s a hidden screw!
  • REALLY Old Model Information (the 1980’s)
    Believe it or not, it’s not uncommon for folks to bring us equipment that was manufactured in the 1980’s or 1990’s. It is because they maintain and clean their equipment regularly! (We can’t stress enough how important that is!) We can still get you a part – maybe not the exact original- but your equipment will run like a champ when we finish with it.
    Clutch parts for NC-8001
    Clutch with Shaft (clutch with shaft june 1980.pdf)
    Pressure Relief Valve Parts
    Flow Control Valve
    Hydraulic filter parts
    Wheel Control Valve parts
  • Rollers – Front & Rear
    Your conveyor chain is moved over and by the rollers. The front roller is smooth for the chain to slide around. The rear roller has teeth that grip the bedchain (conveyor) and move it through the hopper.
    Counting the sprockets on your rear roller will tell you if you have:
    16″ clinched pin chain or 16″ straight pin chain – Each of these have 3 possible roller choices.
    24″ clinched pin chain or 24″ straight pin chain – Each of these have 2 possible roller choices.
    In addition to knowing your chain type, you must know if your unit has a Rawson Gear Box. You must know these facts to get the correct rear roller. The easiest way to get the correct roller is to have your serial number ready when you call the Parts Department.
    The front roller is much easier: it is either for a 16″ bedchain or a 24″ bedchain. It does not matter if the conveyor is clinched pin or straight pin.
    Click here for a detailed explanation on front & rear rollers.
    Remember, the NCC parts department keeps records by serial number. They will know exactly what you need to order.
    Rear Roller Replacement to see a detailed explanation of the process.
  • Shrink Wrap
    Shrink wrap is a protective coating that is applied to connections of hoses, valves, controllers, etc. It is designed to protect your connections from fertilizer, a caustic product. To keep your unit in top condition, it should be cleaned regularly. It is easy for fertilizer to get into the crevices at hose connections. Shrink wrap will prevent fertilizer, moisture, dirt, etc. from entering your connections. For a complete explanation, click here.
  • Spinner Dishes & Blades
    NCC manufactures several grades of dishes & blades. Standard dishes & blades are used for fertilizer only application. For lime application, NCC recommends heavy duty dishes & blades. The standard dish & blade configuration is 10 gauge steel; heavy duty configuration is 7 gauge dish with quarter plate blades. Both standard & heavy duty come in stainless and mild steel. We also make extended range – greater than a 60 foot swath – sets.
    Under 60 foot swath has 6 blades 6″ long. Over 60 feet swath has 4 blades 9″ long. While dishes are universal, blades are not. You cannot mix standard, heavy duty or extended range blades on your dishes!
    Your spread pattern depends upon several variables, but the correct type and installation of the spinner system is essential. For a complete guide to installation, please click here.
    We’ve added a video showing correct installation of blades & dishes. This video also shows a used spreader that was “having problems”. Wow! Did it ever! Someone installed the blades backwards and the new owner had a mess on his hands.
    How to install spinner blades & dishes
  • Spinner Motors
    Spinner motors move the spinner dishes. If you are rebuilding your spinner motor, you REALLY need to watch this video. Yes, it is lengthy, but Wayne has rebuilt hundreds of spinner motors and his instructions will make your job a lot easier. Why not watch and do it right the first time? How to Rebuild Your Spinner Motor using the NC-8080KIT.
    Hydraulics run your spinner motors. If not set properly, you can damage the motors.  How to Prevent Spinner Motor Damage.
  • Spinner Speed
    Correct spinner speed is crucial to ensuring you get the most accurate spread pattern. Read a short 2 page explanation click here on testing spinner speed. Or watch How to Use Tachometer to Determine Spinner Speed for a video of the procedure.
    NCC has sold 3 version of our spinner speed monitors. Click here for a description on how to tell which monitor you have and for assistance. Watch 74 seconds of expert instruction on using flow control valves for manual spinner speed adjustment on a truck spreader click here.

  • Spread Pattern

    NCC suggest performing a spread pattern test on each new spreader as well as at the beginning of each growing season. NCC sells a test pattern kit MS-79022 that includes everything you will need.
    Performing a spread pattern test is not complicated but does take some planning and time.
    NCC has added 5 How To videos on spread pattern testing.

    1. How to Spread Pattern Test Your Dry Fertilizer Spreader
    2. How to Determine Your Product Density
    3. Pan Placement for a Center Pass Spread Pattern Test
    4. Pan Placement for a S Pass Spread Pattern Test
    5. Pan Placement for Extended Range Swath Pattern Test

    Click here to view written instruction on using the kit.
    Click here to get a Test Pattern Worksheets.

    If you are not satisfied with your spread pattern, there are several ways to address your problem. How to Correct Your Spread Pattern for a complete written explanation.

    For a video: How to Correct Your Spread Pattern on YouTube.

  • Spread Rate

    Several basic pieces of information are required to correctly set the spreader for pounds per acre (lb/ac)

    • Drive Wheel: 4.8—Ground tire has no effect when drive wheel is present
    • Density of your product material to be spread in pounds per cubic foot (lb/cu ft)
    • Product trying to spread: Fertilizer, Lime, Litter, Compost
    • Desired Swath: 40 ft, 45 ft, 50 ft, 60 ft, etc
    • Sprocket Ratio: sprocket sizes; standard, half rate kit, third rate kit—Starting at drive wheel go through combinations to end at rear roller
    • Conveyor Width: 16 in or 24 in, or other size
    • Motor RPM’s for swath
    • Chute Scale—delivering material to chute: set by testing

    For a complete written description of the above information, please Rate Chart Guide for Pull Type Spreaders.
    Sometimes the numbers don’t match. If you have a product density that is different or you want to spread a different swath than is shown on the chart, then you need to watch How to Use the Rate Chart on Your Fertilizer Lime Spreader

  • Sprocket Chain
    In order to change from a half rate or third rate to a straight rate, you must change the sprocket chain. For a complete explanation of how to change the chain, click here This print out also explains how to replace a sprocket chain if you have ordered a new chain. If you want to see this procedure demonstrated in a video click here.
  • Sprocket Ratio
    Sprocket Ratios confuse even the most seasoned farmer. You must know what type of sprockets you have: Inboard or Outboard. And do you have just standard rate chains or do you have a half rate or third rate kit sprocket set? All these questions are answered in this new video: Understanding Your Sprocket Configuration. If you have a ground drive unit, you need to watch this video!
    Third Rate (36 tooth sprocket) and Half Rate (24 tooth sprocket) are most commonly found on spreaders with 24 inch conveyors. If you are unsure which sprocket ratio your spreader has, please refer to your Delivery & Inspection Sheet in the back of your manual or view Sprocket & Chain Configurations.
    The wildlife spreader Model 41 can be particularly confusing. Here is a photo labeled plus a diagram explaining everything. If you would prefer to hear the explanation and see a short video, see our YouTube video by clicking here.
  • Start Up for a spreader
    This video will take you through the spreader set up. We were making a food plot for deer hunting and used our personal spreader (a Model 41 Wildlife Spreader) to spread soybeans. Steve Crouch goes through several topics: Using the tachometer to verify spinner speed, Using the pressure relief valve, Measuring product density, and finally installing a Raven Cruizer to paint our field. How to Make a Food Plot for Deer.
  • Tire Size

    Will changing the tire size on my spreader affect my spread pattern? Yes!

    1. Changing tires on a truck –Bigger tires slow down the speedometer and increase the speed at the same RPM’s
    2. Anytime you change tires on a radar unit (precision controlled) you need to recalibrate over a known distance
    3. On a drive wheel unit, the ground wheel tire does not matter in the rate, only the drive wheel tire itself. A bigger tire on the drive wheel will reduce the RPM’s and therefore the rate.