Illinois Farmer Builds Homemade Sidedressing Tool

Larry Tombaugh's custom-made applicator allows in-season nitrogen flexibility.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 5:31am

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An extreme close-up of the raw, textured metal and hydraulic components of a custom-built sidedress applicator, dramatically lit to highlight the intricate machinery and engineering.A farmer's homemade sidedress applicator showcases the innovative engineering required to adapt to changing nutrient management regulations.Streator Today

Foreseeing potential restrictions on fall nitrogen applications, Illinois strip-tiller Larry Tombaugh built a homemade sidedress applicator using remanufactured SpikeWheel applicators, an old 12-row cultivator, and a ground-drive pump. The 1,600-gallon applicator allows Tombaugh to sidedress 20 gallons per acre of liquid nitrogen and stabilizer in May.

Why it matters

As regulations around nitrogen applications tighten, farmers are seeking more flexible in-season options to apply fertilizer. Tombaugh's custom-built sidedress tool allows him to adapt his nutrient management plan and avoid potential fall application restrictions.

The details

Tombaugh assembled the sidedress applicator by repurposing various used components, including remanufactured SpikeWheel applicators, an old 12-row Glencoe cultivator, and a CDS-John Blue ground-drive pump. He then added a 1,600-gallon tank mounted on an E-Z Trail quad-steer wagon. In May, Tombaugh used the applicator to sidedress 20 gallons per acre of 32% nitrogen and a liquid nitrogen stabilizer at 5-5.5 mph.

  • Last winter, Tombaugh built the sidedress applicator in his shop.
  • In May, Tombaugh used the new applicator to sidedress his fields.

The players

Larry Tombaugh

A strip-tiller from Streator, Illinois who built a custom sidedress applicator to adapt to potential restrictions on fall nitrogen applications.

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What they’re saying

“We really liked the short turning radius with the wagon, the 'no-brainer' application with the ground-driven pump, and the SpikeWheel applicators sealing in the product with low disturbance.”

— Larry Tombaugh, Strip-tiller

The takeaway

As regulations around nitrogen applications continue to evolve, innovative farmers like Larry Tombaugh are taking proactive steps to build custom equipment that provides in-season flexibility and helps them adapt their nutrient management practices.