How Do I Calibrate My Spreader?
How Do I Calibrate My Spreader?
For landscape/lawncare professionals to keep customers satisfied, a critical step is the proper calibration of your fertilizer spreader. Correctly calibrated spreaders help to ensure that the nutrients, seed or pesticides you apply are providing uniform coverage at the correct rate.
A mechanical spreader that isn't calibrated accurately can cause a number of problems for you. If the spreader applies too much fertilizer, you risk damaging the landscape, wasting money and encouraging nitrogen runoff. If you're not applying enough fertilizer, the lack of proper nutrition can result in bad-looking or unhealthy vegetation.
Every Spreader Has Its Own Settings
Each brand or type of spreader is different, even though they might look the same. Whether you use a rotary ("spinning") broadcast spreader or a standard drop/gravity unit, it's important to calibrate spreaders separately for each use. This will allow for variances in product density, size, active ingredients and nutrient content.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both kinds of spreaders, but proper calibration will help you make the most of any unit in any application.
Because accurate and efficient fertilization is so important, many leading universities have developed helpful processes for calibrating spreaders. Some good examples are:
(The University of Arizona:)
http://turf.arizona.edu/publications/presentations/Calibrating Fertilizer Spreaders.pdf
(The University of Minnesota:)
http://www.sustland.umn.edu/maint/selectin_10.html
(Penn State University:)
http://cropsoil.psu.edu/turf/extension/factsheets/calibrating-spreader
(Rutgers University:)
http://fertilizerspreadercalibrationrutgers.blogspot.com
(Virginia Tech University:)
http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430-017/430-017.html
The instructions below offer some basic guidelines for spreader calibration, but for more details and illustrated step-by-step advice on calibrating yours, we encourage you to visit the university websites.
A Quick How-To Guide
Many granular fertilizer products come with recommended application rates that are typically based on 1,000 square feet. Using those rates, calculate how much product is needed to cover 100 square feet. If the bag label calls for four pounds of product for 1,000 square feet, then you'll need 0.4 pounds for 100 square feet.
There are several ways to calibrate spreaders. We suggest experimenting on a test surface before trying them on an actual lawn.
If there's still fertilizer in the hopper after covering the test section, you need to adjust the spreader to a higher setting. On the other hand, if the fertilizer in the spreader runs out before you finish the 100 square feet, the setting is too high. You want to run out of fertilizer as you complete your 100 square foot test section.
Sweep up the product and repeat the test until you reach the calibration you want.
Another good method is to fill the spreader, then make a pass over the 100 square foot test section on the pavement. Then sweep up the fertilizer that came out and weigh it. Multiply the amount by ten to see the application rate at that setting. Recalibrate as needed to achieve a higher or lower rate.
For the best results on a lawn using a broadcast spreader:
Some other helpful hints to remember when it comes to spreading fertilizers, pesticides or seed:
Take care of your spreader - clean and conduct maintenance as recommended by the manufacturer – and it should deliver good performance for years.
And remember, if fertilizer lands on driveways, sidewalks, streets, or other non-landscsape surfaces, either sweep it up and return it to the package, or sweep or blow it into the landscape to protect water quality.
Do you have any helpful spreader calibration tips? Let us know in the comments below!
For more information visit http://www.getgreenturf.com
For landscape/lawncare professionals to keep customers satisfied, a critical step is the proper calibration of your fertilizer spreader. Correctly calibrated spreaders help to ensure that the nutrients, seed or pesticides you apply are providing uniform coverage at the correct rate.
A mechanical spreader that isn't calibrated accurately can cause a number of problems for you. If the spreader applies too much fertilizer, you risk damaging the landscape, wasting money and encouraging nitrogen runoff. If you're not applying enough fertilizer, the lack of proper nutrition can result in bad-looking or unhealthy vegetation.
Every Spreader Has Its Own Settings
Each brand or type of spreader is different, even though they might look the same. Whether you use a rotary ("spinning") broadcast spreader or a standard drop/gravity unit, it's important to calibrate spreaders separately for each use. This will allow for variances in product density, size, active ingredients and nutrient content.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both kinds of spreaders, but proper calibration will help you make the most of any unit in any application.
Because accurate and efficient fertilization is so important, many leading universities have developed helpful processes for calibrating spreaders. Some good examples are:
(The University of Arizona:)
http://turf.arizona.edu/publications/presentations/Calibrating Fertilizer Spreaders.pdf
(The University of Minnesota:)
http://www.sustland.umn.edu/maint/selectin_10.html
(Penn State University:)
http://cropsoil.psu.edu/turf/extension/factsheets/calibrating-spreader
(Rutgers University:)
http://fertilizerspreadercalibrationrutgers.blogspot.com
(Virginia Tech University:)
http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430-017/430-017.html
The instructions below offer some basic guidelines for spreader calibration, but for more details and illustrated step-by-step advice on calibrating yours, we encourage you to visit the university websites.
A Quick How-To Guide
Many granular fertilizer products come with recommended application rates that are typically based on 1,000 square feet. Using those rates, calculate how much product is needed to cover 100 square feet. If the bag label calls for four pounds of product for 1,000 square feet, then you'll need 0.4 pounds for 100 square feet.
There are several ways to calibrate spreaders. We suggest experimenting on a test surface before trying them on an actual lawn.
- Measure off a 100-square foot section (preferably on a flat, paved surface or bare ground)
- Two-foot drop spreader: 50-foot long test strip
- Three-foot foot spreader: 33.3 foot long test strip
- Add the amount of fertilizer you calculated (for 100 square feet)
- Distribute it onto the test section
- Start walking from several feet behind the test area, so when you open the spreader lever you'll be moving at your normal speed
If there's still fertilizer in the hopper after covering the test section, you need to adjust the spreader to a higher setting. On the other hand, if the fertilizer in the spreader runs out before you finish the 100 square feet, the setting is too high. You want to run out of fertilizer as you complete your 100 square foot test section.
Sweep up the product and repeat the test until you reach the calibration you want.
Another good method is to fill the spreader, then make a pass over the 100 square foot test section on the pavement. Then sweep up the fertilizer that came out and weigh it. Multiply the amount by ten to see the application rate at that setting. Recalibrate as needed to achieve a higher or lower rate.
For the best results on a lawn using a broadcast spreader:
- Test and calibrate the spreader to deliver only half of the recommend rate
- Make two fertilizer passes at right angles (to cover any skips)
Some other helpful hints to remember when it comes to spreading fertilizers, pesticides or seed:
- Follow the application instructions on the packaging
- Make sure you're wearing proper safety and protective gear
- Move at a steady, even pace when applying product
- Make sure to close the spreader when you stop
Take care of your spreader - clean and conduct maintenance as recommended by the manufacturer – and it should deliver good performance for years.
And remember, if fertilizer lands on driveways, sidewalks, streets, or other non-landscsape surfaces, either sweep it up and return it to the package, or sweep or blow it into the landscape to protect water quality.
Do you have any helpful spreader calibration tips? Let us know in the comments below!
For more information visit http://www.getgreenturf.com
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