Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I first purchased the Brinly 125 LBS spreader and then the Agri-Fab 130 LBS spreaders because based on reviews and the specs I just couldn't decide. Both seem to have there pluses and minuses. After opening up both boxes and laying out the parts the decision was easy. The Brinly 125 LBS spreader was hands down the better product. Here is the run down of the two. First the Brinly spreader has a welded frame that is one piece, with one additional piece to connect it to my tractor (john deere x720). The Agri-Fab frame is more like an erector set with 8 pieces you bolt together. Also the metal tubes of the frame are thicker on the Brinly model (see pictures). Tires for the Brinly model are 13.5", much wider, has much better treads and is over all better constructed than the 13" tires on the Agri-Fab model. Both have molded plastic hubs, which I guess is good due to corrosion. One note is that the tires on the Agri-Fab model specifically say they were made in China. Onto the gear boxes... One of the reasons why I selected the Agri-Fab model is that the gears are metal (aluminum I think) and the gears on the Brinly are plastic. I didn't like the fact they were plastic on the Brinly, but after turning each of the gear boxes it was notable that the gears on the Brinly run very smooth and the metal gears on the Agri-Fab run rough. As for the hoppers, the Brinley capacity looks like it is a bit more than the Agri-Fab, even though the carrying capacity is less. On the Brinly model the plate that dispenses the material is bigger and made of thicker plastic and is connected by metal bolts. It also has a setting to control side to side spreading of material (not that I think I will use it). The plate on the Agri-Fab model is small and is not as well made as the Brinly one. There is also no option on the side to side control. It is also connected to the hopper with plastic rivets that look like they are about to break (see pictures). The Brinly model is way better packed in the box and the bolts and other pieces are numbered and vacuum sealed to a cardboard cutout, guaranteeing you have all the parts. Argi-Fab parts are in a bag all together. Also the Brinly spreader has a cover. The adjustment for both are not great, though the Agri-Fab has an off position you can lock the adjustment bar to. Long story short, I'm sending the Agri-Fab back to Amazon... box damaged and pieces inside were all scratched...