Abstract: A material spreader includes a hopper that defines a hopper interior, a hopper exterior, and an opening that extends from the hopper exterior to the hopper interior. The material spreader also includes a shaft that extends through the opening, and a fastener that interfaces the hopper and the shaft at the opening, where the fastener supports and aligns the shaft on the hopper. The material spreader also includes a seal connected with the shaft and the fastener in the hopper interior, where the seal extends over the fastener, outward from the shaft toward an outer perimeter of the fastener.

Abstract: A material spreader includes a hopper, a valve, a lever, and a stop. The valve obstructs flow of a material from the hopper in a closed position, and passes the material from the hopper in an opened position. The lever is operatively connected to the valve, and pivotally or slidingly fixed relative to the valve. Pivoting or sliding the lever in a first direction actuates the valve toward the opened position. Pivoting or sliding the lever in a second direction actuates the valve toward the closed position. Pressing the lever inward in the longitudinal direction drives the lever from an extended position toward a retracted position. The stop obstructs the lever from traveling passed a predetermined location in the second direction when the lever is in the extended position. The lever passes the predetermined location in the second direction when the lever is in the retracted position.