Huckabay man gets patent for fertilizer spreader that attaches to a zero turn mower.

By SARA VANDEN BERGE

Albert Hale took a good idea and ran with it.

Hale, owner of Hale Custom Solutions, developed a fertilizer spreader that attaches to zero turn lawn mowers.

The Huckabay resident told Beneath the Surface News that after purchasing a zero turn mower, he discovered that pulling a fertilizer spreader behind one is impossible.

Frustrated, he went into his shop to find a solution – and seven hours later – the first design of the Hale ZT Spreader was born.

“I used that one for about eight months, then contacted my patent attorney about it,” Hale said.

The attorney was so impressed with the spreader that he encouraged Hale to keep it covered in the shop while the patent was pending.

“He did not want me to go public with it before the patent was approved,” Hale said.

After more than three years of waiting, Hale learned his patent was approved about three weeks ago.

“I’ve had five out there working for about a year to make sure there are no problems,” he said, adding that he has sold the spreader to customers in Weatherford, Mineral Wells, Erath County and San Antonio.

Customers can order the spreader directly from the website and they are shipped via UPS within days.

“The Hale ZT Spreader is the ultimate zero turn mower attachment for homeowners and lawn care professionals who demand precision and durability,” the website states.

“Engineered specifically for zero turn mowers, this heavy-duty fertilizer spreader makes lawn care faster, easier and more effective.”

It’s constructed with heavy-duty materials designed to withstand season after season of use, is easy to install (it comes with clear, easy-to-follow instructions so you're up and running in minutes), offers precision coverage and is designed to pair seamlessly with zero turn mowers.