Dual sided impeller for particle spreader

A powered spreader for dispersing particulate material onto a ground surface, the powered spreader comprising:

• a frame;
• a support for supporting an operator;
• an input configured to be manipulated by the operator for controlling the spreader;
• a hopper connected to the frame and including an opening configured to allow the particulate material to pass therethrough;
• a plurality of wheels rotatable relative to the frame for traversing the ground surface;
• a motor mounted to the frame and configured to drive at least one of the plurality of wheels;
• an impeller shaft rotatable relative to the hopper;
• an impeller coupled to the impeller shaft and rotatable therewith, the impeller having opposing first and second sides and including:
• a plate including opposing first and second surfaces;
• a first plurality of vanes extending from the first surface of the plate;
• and
• a second plurality of vanes extending from the second surface of the plate,
• wherein the impeller is shiftable between a first configuration in which the first side faces a first direction and the second side faces a second direction and a second configuration in which the first side faces the second direction and the second side faces the first direction.

A method of operating a spreader, the method comprising steps of:

• propelling the spreader across a ground surface;
• dispensing particulate material from a hopper of the spreader to an impeller having opposing first and second sides and including:
• a plate including opposing first and second surfaces;
• a first plurality of vanes extending from the first surface of the plate;
• and
• a second plurality of vanes extending from the second surface of the plate;
• rotating the impeller in a first configuration in which the first side faces a first direction and the second side faces a second direction such that the particulate material impacts the first surface and the first plurality of vanes disperse the particulate material onto the ground surface;
• shifting the impeller to a second configuration in which the first side faces the second direction and the second side faces the first direction;
• and
• rotating the impeller in the second configuration such that the particulate material impacts the second surface and the second plurality of vanes disperse the particulate material onto the ground surface.