See below an article of L’Atelier Paysan dated 16.09.2025 (French version) to be found here: https://www.latelierpaysan.org/https-latelierpaysan-org-Un-epandeur-manuel-en-cours-de-prototypage-avec-l-ADAF
We (L’Atelier Paysan) teamed up with ADAF, an association based in Drôme working in service of agroforestry and agroecology, to collaborate with a group of market gardeners on the development of a new tool. This project, called SEVE, aims to co-design a tool that would facilitate a no-till technical pathway: a manual compost spreader.
The co-design process: After discussion, the group of market gardeners agreed on a tool: a lightweight organic matter spreader, operable by hand. Over the course of several meetings, a set of specifications was drawn up and the outlines of the tool began to take shape.
The chassis – the structural frame of the tool – would be halfway between a two-wheel barrow and a four-wheel cart. For the trips back and forth to the compost pile, the tool would be used like a wheelbarrow, but once on the crop bed, the four wheels would rest on the ground. It would then need to be pushed while a conveyor belt spread the organic matter. For powering the conveyor belt, a drill was chosen, since this tool is very common on farms and its motor has exactly the torque characteristics required. In addition, this solution makes construction easier, reduces the cost of the tool for those who already have a drill, and increases electrical reliability.
For the mechanical linkages that drive the conveyor, rollers were chosen, including one drive roller and several idler rollers. This technical choice was made thanks to documentation from an earlier attempt shared on our forum here (see the section “Why it doesn’t work”).
Thanks to those who take the time to record their findings, even if they are not yet fully functional. In doing so, you lay the first stone on which others can build later!
A pre-prototype is under construction to validate the roller-driven conveyor system. It consists of a wooden frame mounted on an existing two-wheel barrow. This chassis – the structural frame of the tool – is not representative of the future architecture, but it allows for an initial idea of the tool’s handling. The drill’s trigger will be activated via a bicycle brake-cable system, and its rotation speed will need to be reduced six-fold in order for the conveyor speed to be satisfactory. The technical choice for achieving this reduction has not yet been fixed (gear, pulley, or chain).
The conversation to improve the tools is done on a forum (in French).
What’s next? On October 14, we will meet again with the market gardeners to improve the prototype and design the chassis – the structural frame of the tool – of this future tool so that it is as ergonomic as possible.
Stay tuned for the next episode!