Permagreen spread pattern issues?

[goodsonkd]

Now everyone be honest..... how many of you have done a pan calibration test on your permagreen magnum? These spreaders have a problem.

Has anyone had problems with streaking or inconsistent results with crabgrass or grub preventers? After pan calibration test of 3 different permagreen magnums there is a definite coverage isuue if you go 7' centers you are not getting enough material down on the left hand side of the machine.

[Jason Rose]

Adjust using the 3rd hole shutoff, or using a plate on the 3rd hole to cover slightly to correct. Usually there's very little problem with the lesco spread pattern, other than visually it appears off. It it not enought on the left, or too much on the right? yeah, same difference... Open it up a little more, but close down the 3rd hole until your pattern is even.

Easiest solution, and what I do to gurantee to streaks. Spread in a circle, start with the outside perimeter and just work in.

[goodsonkd]

Please do a pan calibration test on your machine and you will be suprised at the results. The 3rd hole shut off does not work, the 3rd hole adjustment does nothing to equalize the balance of the pattern. It will cut down the flow of material to each zone in the pattern but cuts as much material from the left hand side of machine as it does from the right side.

Using the circle pattern is a feasible solution but most of the stuff we do it's just not feasible to do in a circular pattern.

The directions of 7' centers on how to use the machine in there manual will not work with the spread pattern of the machine!!!!! Mathematicly the machine with a 10 o'clock left side and a 4 o'clock right hand side spread pattern will not spread material properly on 7' centers. You get more material to the right hand side than the left even cutting off the 3rd hole completely.

Pan calibrate any magnum or smart steer and you will find the machine is sub par at best.

So many people I've talked to have the same issues with the machine....

Is there any interested in a class action lawsuit against this company, If we all get together we can make it happen

[RigglePLC]

Goodson,
I am satisfied with my Ultra Permagreen. Crabgrass control has been fine. I spread on eleven foot center to center swath. Usually in the circle pattern , but sometimes side to side. I have not done a pan test this year. Jason is right. I run with the left (3rd) hole all the way open and the right hole closed by about an eighth of an inch with the adjustment. Remember it is a Lesco hopper and it is essentially the same as all Lesco spreaders. Remember that the left hole adjusts the fert going to the right. The right hole adjusts fert going to the left. During very humid weather (lumpy fertilizer) I had to close off both left and right holes and just use the center hole opened up 2 more notches.

Actually, I am more concered with the slight uneven pattern from the two spray nozzles. Sprayed on cement, it dries unevenly.

[Runner]

I hve always used the counterclockwise circular method, and hav had perfect results all the time. I've always looked as it as...If it's not broke, don't fix it. Anything that works that well, I'm not going to mess with any setting just to be able to do row by row. If I have any narrower ares that need to be done to center, I'll do to passes with the throw narrowed.
Rod, as far as the pray drying unevenly, the only time I get that is if the nozzles and screens need a bit of cleaning, I have a weak charge (stops after running it awhile) or just before the pump goes weak.

[goodsonkd]

Sorry I just think a $7000 machine should work as specified!!!!!!!!! When they give you directions on how to use the machine in a manual, IT SHOULD WORK AS INSTRUCTED, IT DOES NOT!!!

I have been on the phone with the supposed experts from the company. The guys do not even know how to do a pan calibration test on their own machines!! They had to get the manual out to read on how to do a pan calibration test on their own machines, that is sad.

[Jason Rose]

I'm failing to understand why you are having such an issue with the PG. I know a half dozen++ other people here in my own town that have them and use them, most of them run theirs "up and back" rather than in a circle, and I don't see them having issues with the spread pattern. I *Highly* doubt that more than 1 in the 6 has done a pan calibration test too. I know I haven't. I've ran mine back and forth, and other than the time I got a bad batch of fertilizer, I've not had an issue with streaking either.

[mdlwn1]

All spreaders are slightly uneven. With Lesco's you just go slighlty closer on the left to left.

[RigglePLC]

I use ten paper plates for the pan test. Count the particles after you spread over the plates.

[turf&tree]

Hey guys, I just wanted to chime in. I bought a new magnum smartsteer this past spring and am not seeing the same problems. However this thing is very hard to service. An I have had engine issues that I corrected after taking it to the "authorized" repair center. As far as the spray setup I hate the narrow spray, it seems really narrow. The other thing is if you brush against a shrub ot something in front it throws your spray pattern off because you have moved the nozzle. It also seems slow. I just bought a z-plug aerator from LT Rich and am very impressed with it. I will look at their sprayers very closely for the future.
Just my opinion
Jim

[goodsonkd]

The permagreen CAN NOT and WILL NOT work with how it is instructed to use in the manual, you can not use with 7' on center rows. The machine must be used with circular application pattern only.

With the 10 o'clock and 4 o'clock spread pattern there is now way mathematically you can get a uniform spread pattern going in rows with 7' centers.

The correct way to do a pan calibration test is to use 3" aluminum pans and pour contents from each pan into a 1/2" diamiter tube 4" tall. Add all numbers together then divide to find percentage in each pan........If done this way you will see the glaring issue with the machine!!!!!!!!!!!

[mdlwn1]

Thats funny.....I wasnt even gonna say what you just did because I'm quite sure that no one would believe me and that I would be wasting my time. I was taught to apply using "double coverage" 20 years ago. That means every 2.5 feet roughly with a lesco wb spreader. Single pass coverage is highly dependent on fert movement in the soil for a tru even application. When they first came out with the ride-ons...It was funny to see all the streaks in town. I actually have a pic of the application pattern needed with a Lesco bucket...I may post it.

[kevinvcr]

We have a Permagreen Magnum spreader that's about 3 years old and does the same thing. For the first two years, it had a very nice and even spread pattern as the manual says it should. Last year it started spreading in a 10 - 4 o'clock pattern and nothing has corrected the situation. Calls to the PG technical help line have gone unanswered.

[RigglePLC]

If you are getting too much fertilizer to the right (4 o'clock) --close off the left hand hole slightly. (And open the main setting about a half -notch). Make sure the impeller is clean. Make sure there is no build up of residue arond the hole openings. Different fertilizers will spread a little different. Even weather will change the pattern at times. Humidity makes particles slightly soft.
If a pellet falls near the center of the spinner--it stays on the spinner longer and tends to go left. If a pellet falls near the outside of the spinner--it leaves the platter quick and tends to go right. (If the impeller is spinning counter clockwise.)

I know this because I worked as asst Manager at TruGreen one time. I rebuilt a spreader and accidentally assembled a gear backwards. The spinner spun in the wrong direction. Our rookie applicator used it . It threw all the fertilizer behind the spreader on his feet, all day. He complained about it when he got back at 5:00.

[meets1]

I am on my second machine as well. I don't mind them but yet i have the same issue. Spread pattern is always different though with fert. types and weather. I guess I have learn to compensate with the machine.

Spray pattern on high is fine. The narrow setting is just too narrow for me. Really it is useless in my book.

There tech. support is awful. When I have had issues out in the field, I call only to get a secetary at best, asking me my life history of why I am calling, then proceeds to direct my call, I either get hung up on or moved to voice mail of some sort that never does get anwsered.

LT machine will be looked at closely next time around.

[DA Quality Lawn & YS]

I agree the Mag narrow spray is like 18" wide and doesn't even cover edge of wheel to edge of wheel. Will probably only use that along landscape edging with plantings and that is it.

[goodsonkd]

The machines are simply bad news. The problem with the spread patternit is @ 10 and 4 oclock. 65-70% material to right side 30-35% to the left.Must always put down in circular pattern

[DA Quality Lawn & YS]

The machines are simply bad news. The problem with the spread patternit is @ 10 and 4 oclock. 65-70% material to right side 30-35% to the left.Must always put down in circular pattern

I saw this pattern yesterday using my Mag for the first time. I agree circular is the best way to go. Otherwise make sure your overlap is proper, I always throw wheel to wheel regardless to avoid missed stripes. But running 7' centers is not possible if going back and forth, you will have 7', then like 5', then repeat. Not the greatest scenario.

[RigglePLC]

TruGreen was using a back and forth pattern on our local school yard. I measured the pattern at 10 feet center to center swath width, (using the tracks in the grass).

Is the impeller worn? Any fert accumulation on the impeller or fert openings? Have you adjusted the pattern adjustment slides? Did the left-side slide control have no effect? How about the right side? Are you using the Lesco opening adjustment measuring keys? What is the size of the openings on the center, left and right? What main setting are you using?
Since I used to own a Permagreeen Ultra--maybe it is slightly different on the Magnum. Do you have photos of inside the hopper? Do you have the results of a pattern test with percent of coverage for each 12 inch interval?

[N8EvansLG]

We just recently bought a PG Triumph and i have had no problems. I have been using the 7foot center back and forth pattern. The only problem i have noticed is that the trim spray is to narrow and seems to come out hotter than the wide spray.

[mattfromNY]

Funny story (not so at the time). I was new to my PG magnum, applied high iron fert to a 3 acre lawn at a 3 million dollar house, going back-and-forth pattern. Neighbors started commenting on the 'huge mower' that must have left those 20' wide 'stripes' in the lawn. haha. I now use the 'Nascar' method, roundy round to the left, and have no more striping problems.

[goodsonkd]

Went with z-spray there is no comparison between the machine!! The intermediates we have are , the permagreens I USE to own are awful machines. There is not one thing about a permagreen that even compares slightly to the z spray machines even the triumph model. The z-sprays are far superior production machines.

[DA Quality Lawn & YS]

Some folks cannot afford to drop $7K plus on a Z or T. I am in that boat. So, I bought a used Mag for less than 1/2 that price that will more than do the job for me. I can put up with a few quirks for $4k in savings. Bottom line, it will throw fert and kill weeds and that is all I ask of it.

[RigglePLC]

I watched as my next door neighbors were treated by a major company that uses Permagreen Magnums. Crabgrass pre-emergent I suppose. Dimension as it was not yellow. They use vans and pull a small enclosed trailer for the Magnums. Only about 55 degrees and first mowing will come in a few days. They used the PGs for small lawns--about 6000 sqft each. Oddly, they sprayed weed killer on both, even though it is rather early for weeds, and neither lawn was weedy. Strong odor, so I am thinking it was an ester. Their guy used the square circle (racetrack ) pattern. I measured the tracks afterwards, and he used about a seven foot swath center to center.

[meets1]

I will be starting tomorrow. Been cool and wet but its time. I also use the pg but I spray broadleaf as well. Dandelons are coming.
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[bflower]

Just curious if anyones has shelled out the extra bucks for a triumph with the centri one hole opening and if it has helped with pattern issues. I am looking at leaving my magnums for the new machine, however it is hard, i have enough spare parts to build another magnum and the triumph is a whole new animal. How many hours have you racked up on your triumphs and would you go back to the magnum if you could?

[Runner]

I watched as my next door neighbors were treated by a major company that uses Permagreen Magnums. Crabgrass pre-emergent I suppose. Dimension as it was not yellow. They use vans and pull a small enclosed trailer for the Magnums. Only about 55 degrees and first mowing will come in a few days. They used the PGs for small lawns--about 6000 sqft each. Oddly, they sprayed weed killer on both, even though it is rather early for weeds, and neither lawn was weedy. Strong odor, so I am thinking it was an ester. Their guy used the square circle (racetrack ) pattern. I measured the tracks afterwards, and he used about a seven foot swath center to center.

This is exactly what I do. the trick is to throw so your right hand discharge throws to the center of the last tracks. I get a PERFECT pattern everytime - no streaks or missed spots. On large open areas, I do my border with the side chute down (and 3rd hole closed), then reverse for a border spray. everything after that is spread and spray simultaneously. For tighter properties and/or more obstacles, I spread first, then reverse the pattern and go around clockwise spraying. This helps me to not get my tire tracks messed up and confused. I know right where every turn and row is.

[Heidi J.]

Hey guys, I just wanted to chime in. I bought a new magnum smartsteer this past spring and am not seeing the same problems. However this thing is very hard to service. An I have had engine issues that I corrected after taking it to the "authorized" repair center. As far as the spray setup I hate the narrow spray, it seems really narrow. The other thing is if you brush against a shrub ot something in front it throws your spray pattern off because you have moved the nozzle. It also seems slow. I just bought a z-plug aerator from LT Rich and am very impressed with it. I will look at their sprayers very closely for the future.
Just my opinion
Jim

Couldn't agree more. Have 6 Z's currently. Not cutting the PG, but Z's are the way to go :dancing: