Abstract: A manure spreader including a rotary distributor at the rear end and an endless apron having a span movable along the bottom of the body is powered from a p.t.o. or the like from a tractor to drive the distributor at a predetermined rate while the speed of the apron may be varied between slow, fast and very fast by variable drive mechanism adjacent the rear end of the body and includes a jaw clutch associated with the distributor, a slidable clutch member movable selectively between driven sprocket gears respectively for relatively slow and fast drive of the apron, together with a direct drive connection between a main drive shaft and a secondary drive shaft connected to the apron to provide a very fast speed for the apron while the distributor is idle to effect a fast cleanout of the body at the end of distributing a load of manure. The direct drive referred to is supplemented by an overriding clutch.