Some one has already done it. Here is a model that would do what you want, and you can very surely improve on it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Spreader

If you're going to base this invention on a snowblower, why not use the snowblower's output shaft to run the agitator?

I think in order to use the output shaft we'd have to somehow run it into the holding bin for the compost. After a few beers the other night, I think we are now going to use a snowblower for the drive mechanism and just have the applicator wheels turn from being driven over the ground. We can have the applicator wheels free-wheel for transport and lock them up to apply the compost.

This way the compost bin and applicator can be more easily made wider than the stance of the blower itself. As far as an internal agitator, if we need one, we can run that off the main wheels from the applicator with a small set of wheels driving a shaft through the bin.

We do want to make it narrow enough to get through any gates yet wide enough so that it doesn't take all day to do a lawn. I'm thinking 24 - 30 inches. We also thought that maybe we could have different widths of applicators that we can change as needed.

We have to consider the weight of a full bin and handling characteristics but that may be more of case of how large to make the applicator holding bin. By taking off all the "front end" of the blower and putting on the applicator/bin, we are hoping the balance doesn't get too out of whack.

Is any of this making sense? I can visualize what we want to do but it's damn hard explaining it. Not to mention we keep changing ideas as we drink more beer.

I wish I'd taken an engineering course of some kind. :-)

Lloyd

Don't worry about not having a degree in Engineering! Lots of us folks have made up some form of tool to help us in our lawn or garden, or snow plowing work, with only a high school diploma, or maybe not even that!
As long as you can read and measure, can add and subtract, and can learn readily, that college degree ain't worth a hill of beans! Most of us old timers, and young-timers, too, can usually make something better than a "store-bought" tool!
now, if you are trying to get a job with a factory, for office or design work, thats a different story.
No, we aren't making big college bucks, but we also aren't paying thru the nose for something we need, if we can build it ourselves!

Amen to that rusty!