Not all stainless steel is the same quality, if you're spending that kind of money make sure it is at minimum 304 series or better yet 316 marine grade. 200 series will rust.

Unless your a contractor using it every day does it really make sense to buy commercial grade spreader? They are heavier and bulkier to use. A poly home owner spreader weighs about 8 pounds, a stainless steel contractor spreader weighs about 50 lbs. for a good one.
Ever wonder why contractors started using self propelled spreaders...

Having worked with a landscaper for several years as a young guy my experience is that a commercial grade push spreader is far easier to use and more accurate than a consumer scotts type spreader. Its like night and day. The biggest difference is the tires. Some extra weight is no problem at all when you have big 12-13 inch tires.

This post was edited by rpg51 on Thu, Nov 28, 13 at 7:49

Fertilizer spreaders have to fight against rust so stainless makes sense. But sometimes everything isn't stainless. If parts such as the nuts, bolts, screws, and washers are not stainless then you haven't gained much by getting a stainless frame. The fasteners will be so rusty after a few years that they may strip out or break. On my spreaders I wash them after every use to keep fertilizer accelerated corrosion to a minimum. Ask the manufacturer if everything is stainless.

Good point. I doubt very much that the fasteners are stainless. I will check that out.

EDIT - I just looked at the parts list on line and much to my surprise the fasteners are indeed all made of stainless steel as well.

This post was edited by rpg51 on Sun, Dec 1, 13 at 7:15

I went with Stainless. I can leave it to my kids in my will.

Ha ha, I hope the kids will appreciate the quality of that unit someday.