Purchased not quite a year ago, no problems whatsoever. We use a 25 hp compact tractor, and it is perfectly acceptable for this application. We have three horses, and fill the spreader about every 7-8 days. Since it gets to be well below zero here, we don’t leave manure in the spreader. Obviously, when manure is frozen it does not get broken up finely, but it does indeed leave the spreader! We do keep a tarp over it when not in use – again due to freezing weather (or hot sun in the summer). Four bungie cords and a 2×4 the long way over the top sheds both snow and rain quite well.