Abstract: A resilient extension for the flail elements of a flail-type material spreader is disclosed wherein the resilient extension is affixed to each respective flail head such that it sweepingly engages the interior surface of the material holding tank to substantially completely discharge all of the material from within the tank. The resilient extension can be in the form of a flat planar member or of a cross-shaped configuration. This substantially complete discharge of material eradicates the starter flail "dead-head" problem by eliminating the mass of material which accumulates at the bottom of the tank. A resilient extension for the starter flails is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved beater mechanism for a manure spreader uniformly spreads and distributes a thin layer of shredded manure particles to the sides and the rear of the spreader over the ground in a wide spread coverage pattern, substantially greater in width than the width of the spreader. The mechanism comprises a main beater having saw-toothed paddles and being disposed in the rear end of the spreader with a wide spread distributor beater positioned upwardly and rearwardly therefrom in the path of the manure discharged by the main beater such that the discharged manure strikes the outer marginal edge portions of the distributor blades when the same are located in the upper forward quadrant of a cylindrical zone defined by the rotation of the distributor beater. Additionally, a third beater is provided having saw-toothed paddles which level the load of manure and assist the main beater in shredding the manure into smaller particles for distribution by the wide spread distributor beater.