Help with spreader choice please!

[sulston]

I'm looking to buy a new spreader, I hate crap so I'm looking for the best one out there, don't care about price. I've done some research and I'm leaning toward a Lesco Rotary/Drop but I've also heard Scotts has a nice stainless spreader. Any reviews on the Lesco or other suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[J&R Landscaping]

The Lesco spreaders are a good product and hold up well. The only thing I dislike about them is they can be heavy. I have an earth-way spreader (Its red, I think thats the right name) that has a 50lb capacity. I am very pleased with the unit. It also saved me some money as compared to the Lesc spreader.

[lawnspecialties]

I have the Lesco rotary/drop. To me, the only "next step up" would be to go with a Perma-Green. The Lesco is so well-built and balanced, it's almost prefect. If anything happened to mine, I can't imagine getting any other brand.

[PVLAND]

Both the Lesco and Scotts/Anderson spreaders are excellent. Price wise the Lesco is the better but you'll be happy with either.

[GrazerZ]

I have the Lesco spreaders,80lb stainless. I would say I'm overall satisfied. I wouldn't go so far as to say they are perfect. They are completely servicable,big plus for us. I hate the rain hat, for the price they should last longer than a season. I do wise the adjitator assembly were a bit better attached to the shaft, and finally thyey do slip out of adjustment over time and the hole opening rod has to be cut shorter to keep it from hitting the impeller. I do like them. It just toke me a while to get use to the quirks.
Oh, and by the way, get the remote deflector kit with rods, not cables.

[sulston]

Thanks for all the input so far guys, really appreciate it. Think I'm gonna go with the Lesco Rotary/Drop unless someone can convince me otherwise. Could anyone who has this model tell me how well the dual function works. Would it be worth it to get two separate spreaders, one drop and one broadcast or does the Lesco truly do a good job of both? Also, what's this deal with the remote deflector kit, does it come with cables and I have to special order the one with rods or what? Thanks again.

[Victor]

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=160217 <<< Click on the link to read a post on this very topic. I challenge you to find any applicator Sulston, who has used both the Anderson (model SR2000) and the new Lesco spreader that will not recommend the Anderson over the Lesco any day. The key point here, is to get input from people who have actually used both brands of spreader.

I'd advise you to heavily consider what people like myself, who actually do have experience with both new Lesco spreaders AND new Anderson spreaders have to say about which one is best. If you've never used and Anderson, how can you tell me that it's not better than the Lesco?

While the Anderson SR2000 is a rotary spreader (not a rotory/drop spreader), I can't say enough good things about it. I've never used a rotory/drop spreader before, but can tell you that my SR2000 does everything I ask of it and it does it very well. The aforementioned link does a good job of comparing the two. Be sure to read it.

Vic

[scweedman]

Lesco spreaders will last for years.

[teeca]

try this http://www.andersonsgolfproducts.com/PDF/Products/APT8091-3_spec.pdf truly the best of the best, cost about $475-$500 and comes with the side deflector (that works), rain cap, and stainless steel. used lesco, andersons, and the earthway, and will say anderson has it all. read the link from victor and do a search for the sr2000, the one thing that is said about the lesco, is that it does not spread evenly, that in-of-its self would be reason enough not to buy one. industry standard? thats because they have more contact with the LCO, thats why they sell more, duh. just because chevy sells more cars then ford doesn't mean chevy is better (imo). i do have a lesco, i use it for spreading salt on walkways, spreads just far enough to cover 48" sidewalk, and it will probly last me a lifetime.

[americanlawn]

Years ago, we liked LESCO spreaders. But recently, LESCO offers only the BIG (and cumbersome) push spreaders. These are larger spreaders with winged handles.

None of my ten guys like these "new units", cuz they are cumbersome.

I personally still use a "non-stainless steel LESCO spreader - (polycoated white), while the rest of my guys use the "old-style stainless steel" units.

We have three "new-style LESCO spreaders, but we don't use 'em. (They were "given" to us due to large purchases).

The older "high-wheel LESCO's" are our favorites. We continually "piece them together" each year. They are much more manouverable than the cumbersome new LESCO's.


Anybody else experience this?

[cemars]

Years ago, we liked LESCO spreaders. But recently, LESCO offers only the BIG (and cumbersome) push spreaders. These are larger spreaders with winged handles.

None of my ten guys like these "new units", cuz they are cumbersome.

I personally still use a "non-stainless steel LESCO spreader - (polycoated white), while the rest of my guys use the "old-style stainless steel" units.

We have three "new-style LESCO spreaders, but we don't use 'em. (They were "given" to us due to large purchases).

The older "high-wheel LESCO's" are our favorites. We continually "piece them together" each year. They are much more manouverable than the cumbersome new LESCO's.


Anybody else experience this?

I agree 100%. The 4 or 5 "old style" spreaders we have are coveted by the tech's. This is fine by me as they take good care of them and repair as needed to avoid having to buy the new larger spreader.

[scweedman]

What year was the style change?

[sulston]

OK I'm convinced, my mind has been changed and I'm going to go with the SR2000. Anyone who has used both highly recommends the Scotts over Lesco and I can't argue with that. I'm sure both are excellent spreaders but as I said before I am looking for the best and as a wise man once said "If you've never used an Anderson, how can you tell me that it's not better than the Lesco?" Thanks a bunch Vic. I also realize now I could have found the answer to my question without posting a new thread but I'm new and I was looking in the wrong place, and I originally posted this in the wrong place too so sorry to anyone who this irritated. Thank you to everyone who offered their input, I really appreciate it. I must say I'm rather blown away by all the people helping out other people on this site, with no vested interest at all, it's real nice to see considering the world we live in today. Almost brings a tear to my eye.

[J Hisch]

You will be very happy with that spreader......We use one it's the best

[sulston]

I just got off the phone with Scotts, lady told me the SR-2000 has been discontinued. What the @#$@!!!?

[Victor]

Don't worry. They're not discontinued. The way I understand it is, Scotts sold that professional line to the Andersons in the US and "New Grow" markets their professional products in Canada. Here's the # for New Grow... 519-757-0077

Vic

[Dallas Turf]

Years ago, we liked LESCO spreaders. But recently, LESCO offers only the BIG (and cumbersome) push spreaders. These are larger spreaders with winged handles.

None of my ten guys like these "new units", cuz they are cumbersome.

I personally still use a "non-stainless steel LESCO spreader - (polycoated white), while the rest of my guys use the "old-style stainless steel" units.

We have three "new-style LESCO spreaders, but we don't use 'em. (They were "given" to us due to large purchases).

The older "high-wheel LESCO's" are our favorites. We continually "piece them together" each year. They are much more manouverable than the cumbersome new LESCO's.



Anybody else experience this?

Your lesco manager should be able to get the old stainless high wheel in because they are still made for chemlawn by lesco, I only like the old style as well and talked to my rep last year and he said they are still available

[The Ranger]

You made a wise choice my friend....for the Lesco belongs in the trash can after you have used an Anderson/Scotts SR2000. A blind man can spread evenly with an SR2000.

[cspurr]

I know this is an old thread but...

In my opinion...by far, the best one on the market is The Andersons/Scotts SR-2000™ Rotary Spreader. Application area is both wide and even. The ONLY thing you have to pay attention to on this particulate rotary spreader is the deflector when it is in the down position. If you leave it down when spreading around mulch beds, etc. - it will drop too much product and could possibly burn the turf if you aren't moving at a quick pace and your hopper adjustment is not set accordingly. That is THE ONLY complaint I have about the spreader...and that is reasonable since it only makes sense that this would happen. That is why we seldom use the deflector.

True, you pay more for the tool/machine...but it is a VERY NICE addition and will last years on end. In some areas they can be difficult to get a hold of... Go to any golf course superintendant and ask which one they prefer...I put money on it they say Andersons by a long shot.

Stay Green,
-Chris
www.tidalturf.com

[americanlawn]

Spring of 2007, we switched to Spyker 288 spreaders. It was a fine decision cuz they ROCK! It's no wonder why most "ride-on" manufacturers also switched over to Spykers. My 2 cents.

[Powerws]

So can you buy the Anderson Spreader still?