I have a rotary 3000 spreader. The vertical steel shaft turns properly as the wheels move, but the tray that throws the fertilizer out to the sides does not turn with the shaft. I can spin it easily by hand; the shaft just is not grabbing the tray. With forward motion, the tray does rotate a little, but not enough to disperse the fertilizer properly.

Hey, please give Scotts a call at 877-465-5160, and we can see if we have a spreader setting for you.
Hilary @Scotts

Start with #3 setting. You will be fine I have same spreader.Good Luck..

It's important to have precisely the right setting. A little wide is better, because the product you're spreading isn't always even, but you'll have to walk faster to ensure you don't over apply. This is a notorious problem with those plastic spreaders - I've used them lots - and I find that if you stop suddenly with fertilizer in the hopper it instantly stops up. Backing up quickly, then jerking it forward seems to help most of the time.
Make sure you close the chute before you stop moving, and be quick with the chute release. Also, don't fill it too much because when you run into this problem it makes it more difficult to remedy.

With the bucket empty and the handle pulled open are ther holes in the botom of the bucketif not its jammed shut just needs cleaning with wd40

CYCLONE ROTARY
2.0
EARTHWAY ROTARY
6.0
EV-N-SPREAD
6.0
K-GRO ROTARY
.75
ORTHO ROTARY
.75
PRECISION ROTARY SB50
1.50
RED DEVIL ROTARY
1.50
REPUBLIC EZ ROATRY
.75
SCOTTS SPEEDYGREEN 1000,2000,3000
2.12
SCOTTS BASIC BROADCAST
2.12
SCOTTS EDGEGUARD BROADCAST
2.12
SEARS ROTARY
.75
TRUE TEMPER ROTARY
1.5
VIGORO ROTARY
1.50
SCOTTS STANDARD ROTARY
2.12
CRAFTSMAN
6.0
SCOTT’S EASY GREEN
25
SCOTT’S HANDYGREEN
3
__________________________________________

Drop Spreaders:

K-GRO DROP
2.25
ORTHO DROP
2.25
REPUBLIC EZ DROP
2.25
SCOTTS ACCUGREEN 1000
3.0
SCOTTS ACCUGREEN 2000
3.0
SCOTTS ACCUGREEN 3000
3.0
SCOTTS DROP PF1, PF2, PF3, PF4
3.0
SEARS DROP 2.25

The bag of fertilizer should tell you on the back of the setting for your spreader. It will say, Scotts 3000, Greenway XXX, etc, with the setting for that particular product.

I have a problem with a broken handle it looks like there is no parts for the EZ Broadcast Spreader. The sad part is the rest of the unit is in great condition.
Looks like plan obsolescent!

If the wheels turn( that is you can push the spreader easily) but the vertical shaft that spins the broadcasting plate doesn't, seems like the gears connecting the axle to that vertical shaft are worn; but if the wheels just slide along the gropund without turning then it would seem something right under the bin is keeping the verical shaft from turning. But I'm NOT an expert; I'm looking for an answer myself,

back yard fix
use the right size nail
use the right size split pin
use the right size bolt