Most models have a rotating agitator just above the holes to ensure the uniform flow of the product. Photo by Peter Landschootĭrop spreaders have rectangular hoppers that taper to a series of equally spaced holes arranged in a row (Figure 3). An adjustable lever on the back of the fertilizer spreader that can be set on numbers or letters that correspond to the size of the hopper openings. The adjustable lever can be set on numbers or letters that correspond to the size of the hopper openings (Figure 2).įigure 2. The amount of product that falls through the holes is regulated by an adjustable lever, usually located on the back of the hopper. When the holes are open, granules flow through and strike a gear-driven rotating plate, which distributes the granules by centrifugal force. The holes can be opened and closed by a lever located near the handle or steering device. Ride-on rotary spreader, photo by Peter Landschoot.Īll rotary spreaders are equipped with a hopper containing one to three holes in the bottom.
Walk-behind rotary spreader, photo by Michael Houtz. Pull-behind spreaders typically hold large amounts of fertilizer and are often used for treating large open areas, such as golf course fairways or athletic fields.įigure 1A. Ride-on rotary spreaders are popular with lawn care professionals because they can cover large residential and recreational turf areas relatively quickly and reduce fatigue associated with pushing walk-behind spreaders over large distances for many hours. Walk-behind rotary spreaders are typically used for fertilizing residential lawns, golf course putting greens, and other small to medium-sized turf areas where maneuverability in confined spaces is important. Rotary spreaders can include walk-behind types, which the operator pushes while walking at a constant pace (Figure 1A) ride-on types, on which the operator stands on a platform and steers a motor-propelled vehicle that distributes granular and liquid products to turf (Figure 1B) or pull-behind types, which are towed by or mounted on a utility vehicle or tractor. Rotary spreaders (sometimes called centrifugal, spinner, cyclone, or broadcast spreaders) and drop spreaders are used for applying granular fertilizers and pesticides to turf. Spreaders can be calibrated in several ways, but the following methods are relatively simple, fast, and accurate.
If calibration is done incorrectly, the product may be misapplied, and either too much or too little of the product will reach the turf. Spreaders must be properly calibrated if they are to deliver granular fertilizers and pesticides to turf at correct rates.
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