Method 1 is best for solid or semisolid manure. Method 2 is best for liquid spreaders. Weigh the sheet with the bucket on the scale. Lay the sheet in the field where manure will be spread. Place the sheet far enough in the field to get enough distance to put the spreader in gear and bring the tractor up to speed.
Most spreaders apply less at the beginning and at the end of the load.
Drive the tractor and spreader over the sheet. Fold the sheet so that no manure is spilled. Put the sheet in the bucket and weigh both on the scale. Subtract the weight of the empty bucket and the sheet in Step 1 from the weight of the sheet and bucket filled with manure. This number is the weight of the manure collected on the sheet.