Small engineering company catering for a niche market

The pair who own Cooke’s Manufacturing and Engineering saw a need among smaller operations for a spreader to suit.

After seeing ute back sprayers, they created their Ute Spreaders to fill that gap.

Easily mounted on the back of a ute via a forklift of tractor, the Ute Spreader is ideal for those operations which do not need a large tractor pulled spreader, but need more than the conventional small spreader.

“We wanted to build something which would be helpful to those operators who are not big enough to warrant a large spreader, but are too big to use the small ones,” Mr Cooke said.

“We started engineering them about four years ago.

“We had some success, but did not have the set up to continue.

“Now we have a shed for manufacturing which makes the process much more efficient.”

The Ute Spreader has a 20 metre throw, 10 metres each side, and is controlled from the comfort of the ute’s cab.

The controller lets you know when the spreader is empty and turns the machine on and off.

At eight kilometres per hour, it covers a hectare in three to four minutes.

It is it’s practicality which Mr Cooke believes makes it popular.

“The Ute Spreader is so easy to use,” he said.

“Getting it on and off the ute is a breeze with not much set up required.

“You don’t need two tractors to use it either. 

“Usually farmers would need a tractor for the spreader and one to fill it.

“With the Ute Spreader, being self-powered, you don’t even need one – you can fill it by bag if you need to.

“It can also be used as a mini-grouper by by-passing the spreader at the back and use it as a hopper.

“We manufacture a range of attachments for the Ute Spreader, making it a multi-purpose tool.”

As well as the Ute Spreader, despite being in the early days of operation, Cooke’s also build self-powered trailing spreaders, and small one tonne groupers.

Cooke’s Manufacturing and Engineering will be at the Murrumbateman Field Days in October.