Fertilizer Spreaders

[Weedburner]

What is everyone's favorite brand of fertilzer spreader? I do very little fertilizing, mostly herbicide spraying. Looking for something that is reasonable to push and will last a while. Do you use plastic or stainless steel? I have sprayed areas that show a sharp color line in the grass between properties. Is this done with a drop spreader? Is a fan type to reduce the chance of streaks the way to go.

[PaulJ]

LESCO spreaders only!!!:D


Spend the extra for the right side shield with remote third hole cut-off. Great for along sidewalks and drives.

[TOMMY1115]

The Lesco spreader is the only way to go.. You might get a little bit of sticker shock with the price, but they are well worth it.
I worked for a company back in 95-96 and they are still using the same spreaders today that I did back then.

A little maintenence goes a LONG way!!!!

Tom

P.S. Go with the stainless steel, it's $30 more, but well worth it!!

[Scraper]

Stainless is the only way to go. If not, whatever you buy will disintegrate within a season or two from the corrosiveness of the fertilizer.

[tremor]

I am obviously biased here because I work for LESCO. But I am quite sincere. This is the story of my own personal spreader.

I used to work for the "big guys". My spreader was purchased new, by them, in 1982 before the introduction of stainless steel frames. After treating 7 million square feet per year for 5 years my branch manager had me throw it into a dumpster. LESCO had just introduced the new stainless frame and instead of installing new gears & bearings over the winter, we would instead begin to update our fleet. Instead of the dumpster, mine found the back of my truck.

After it's first 35 million sq. ft., I used it to "moonlight" for another 5 years before taking my current employment position. A conservative estimate for those 10 years would be about another 10 million sq. ft.

After 45 million square feet & 21 years, the entire frame is now stainless, the rims & tires have been enlarged & updated, steaal ball bearings have been eliminated, and this year it recieved the new sealed gear set. It's more than ready for another 50 or 60 million square. Golfball logo hopper & all.

I'd wager there are many spreaders out there that have done a lot more work than this one has! Many of the lawns done by this one were quite small & lately, it does very little work at all. But it is still a lot more capable than most competitive models.

Oh yeah! I can also find parts for this "antique" at any of 235 locations nationwide.

Hope Chuck doesn't mind the plug! LOL

Steve

[greenngrow]

I use Earthway. I thought that you could only use Lesco Fert in a Lesco spreader LOL.

I just can't handle the sticker shock of Lesco Fertilizer. (I have an inside advantage over most of the guys if not all on the site) I sell fertilizer for a living.

I know what it cost and what is tooo High.

Laying all jokes aside, there are many good spreaders on the market. Just make sure you invest in a Stainless Steel and this only. You will pay the big bucks but you will have many years of service from it. No matter which brand you purchase.

Fertillizer and Mild Steel just don't mix....

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Many of the commercail duty spreader will last you a life time providing you fallow a few steps.

Clean it

grease it

Adjust it

and don't throw it in tha back of a truck

Stainless steel is a good choice.

I have a few Lesco pushers

2 Earthways 1) tow 1) push

And a Lesco truster which is over 10 years old. No stainless available. A little P&B goes a long way on this ones gear box.

For callabration, the LESCO is easy.

I have used many of the others, and with the stainless models they are all in the same price range.

[wriken]

Originally posted by PaulJ
LESCO spreaders only!!!:D


Spend the extra for the right side shield with remote third hole cut-off. Great for along sidewalks and drives.

I agree, but with old age creeping up on me thinking about going with a electric one to put on ztr, gets a little hard to push w/100lbs in it, (Ok now, no laughing) Next one will probably be lesco.

[MOW ED]

I have a Bigfoot spreader and I am happy with it but I must say that this was the only heavy duty commercial spreader that was available locally at the time.
Tremor, I have been waiting for a Lesco franchise to come into my area but the best we got was individual bags sold at Home Depot.
The Bigfoot is all stainless and plastic and will hold 100# but calibration isn't the easiest initially. After working with it I have my settings down pat but it wasn't an easy task. Lots of catching and sweeping.

The advise above holds true, COMMERCIAL AND STAINLESS. Put the money down for a professional tool, you will generate a tremendous amount of income from the spreader. You owe it to yourself and your customers that pay you to have a unit that delivers the correct amount of fertilizer and lasts you for years.

[tremor]

Mow Ed,

25 new store opening this year. But I don't recall if any are in WI. I used to mail order my stuff before there were stores.

Steve

[Weedburner]

I discovered from Steve that I have a Lesco about 35 miles from me. I plan to go downand check them out in the next couple of days. Thanks for the advice.

[Tony Harrell]

I've noticed that all of the stainless models are priced about the same. If there's a Lesco near you, that's what I would get simply because of parts availability (if needed).

[excel25]

Have a lesco SS and a electric on me super z, they are easy to maintain and get parts for and do last forever.

[masterpiece1]

I like the sprkyer spreaders. Very durable and spreads great. A little high on the price but look at the money you can make.:blob4:

[bob]

Lesco stainless #80. With rain cap and deflector.

[bob]

Originally posted by Tony Harrell
If there's a Lesco near you, that's what I would get simply because of parts availability (if needed).

It's about 4 miles away!

[KenH]

OK.....Ill bite. Whats the cost of the Lesco stainless. I use Earthway stainless.

[TOMMY1115]

Ken,
The price on a Lesco stainless steel is $299.00.

If you wait until Feb/Mar we usually run a sale ro special. Not sure what the special will be and the price may not drop but we usually throw in a deflector kit and hopper cover for free.

Tom

[KenH]

Thanks Tommy--- The way some were talking, I thought they would be more expensive. My Earthway cost more than that.

[CCLAWN]

I am a stickler with the Scotts spreader. The cone and the whip paddles are the major advantages. I have yet to find a Lesco that does not throw to the right. Although the Scotts are prone to have parts that break ie roll pins and cotter pins, these are easily replaced and fixed. Product distribuition and whip distance are a great advantage with lawns averaging sizes of 10k. Proper calibration is essential. The other advantage is what i call the clod breaker. The wire spinner in the hopper allows medium sized particles to be broken up if they get through the screen. I have used all spreaders that have been talked about and this feature is the best on the Scotts. It is just unfortunate they are also competing with up in the service end!!!!! :blob2:

[Weedburner]

I am about $350 dollars lighter, but the owner of a new 80LB. Lesco with cover and shield. I spent the few dollars extra and got the stainless steel frame.

[noclevername]

We have a few Shindaiwa's. Really happy with them, I'm pretty tall and they seem well balanced and have a good spread pattern. Just as a sidenote, we've made Lexan covers for the hoppers held on with bungee cords. Don't have to worry about spills or moisture, can readily see how much is left, and don't have to worry about emptying the spreader between jobs(travelling)

[healthylawn.net]

lesco is great but pricy. I personal;ly went to a earthway that attaches to my chest and find that it is much, much easier and just as easy to get good application. my 3 lescos sit in the shop, unless I need to spread something with preemergent.

[Scraper]

Originally posted by healthylawn.net
lesco is great but pricy. I personal;ly went to a earthway that attaches to my chest

And how does you back feel after spreading a ton of fertilizer a day?

[healthylawn.net]

i don't carry a ton. I fill with about 25-30 lbs and it is not heavy at all. at the end of the day after pushing a spreader all over, i would be MUCH more tire than the chest spreader. I could do more work and feel better with the chest spreader.

[Scraper]

How many times are you filling it with 25-30 lbs.? If you spread 40 bags of fert a day that equals almost a ton. I can't see how a chest spreader can be more comfortable let alone more efficient than a push spreader. Not to mention the material being even closer to your face. I'm not even going to get into ride-on spreaders. To each thier own I guess. Only place I use anything other trhan a push spreader is when making application in landscape beds such as pre-emergent or fert. I definitely know I wouldn't want to be applying pre-emergent to 40k+ of turf with a chest spreader without full body protective equipment.

[healthylawn.net]

as I mentioned, i don't use it when I spread pre-emergents, or anything with chemicals mixed in. It has a cover, so no fertilizer is in my face. I handle mostly all residential and go through probably 20 bags a day max. most lawns can be covered by less than 30 pounds of product if you stick to uner 1 lb N per 1000, so it has been the best choice for me. I'm able to get the work done in much less time.

[Russ]

These unsupportive answers are not welcome.

Chuck

[healthylawn.net]

you're a moron, Russ!

[noclevername]

Stop it.........you're making my side hurt !!! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[LAWNGODFATHER]

LMAO Russ...


All my Lesco spreaders sit at the shop also...







I use a Perma Green instead.

[Russ]

YES----I am a Moron---I'm a fool---an idiot---an uneducated childish oaf with no common sense. NOW,,,, what shall we say about a guy who says he puts down 20 bags of fert. a day with a earthway chest spreader.

[healthylawn.net]

profitable payup

[Russ]

Profitable? ------ Yes, I'm sure thats the word I was searching for.

[KirbysLawn]

WOW. LMAO, sorry healthylawn.net but I will guess you are alone here on this one. I own the earthway & Lesco's, there is no way the chest spreader is faster...no way.

The Earthway holds less, requires you to stop more to fill, throws a smaller path, and adds weight to your back. IF you like it fine, but it's not eaiser, faster, or more profitable. I can do 2 lawns with the Lesco in the time it takes to do one with the chest spreader.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by Russ
NOW,,,, what shall we say about a guy who says he puts down 20 bags of fert. a day with a earthway chest spreader.

He says profitable, but I say, makes no money.

20 bags of fert = 5.6 acres.

I do that in about an hour and a half compared to your all day.

I guess if your treating 1-3000M lots maybe, but state that when you make statments like that or you get comments like you have gotten.

I went back and read your post, and you're doing 8M sized lawns.
I bet he is beating us all in times. No lifting the bulky spreader off the truck etc.... 1 fill each lawn.

BTW I have one too. I do steep hills with it or areas I can't get the PG unit in. It's the only other spreader I carry.

[greensman]

Lesco stainless steel can't go wrong easy to fix and long lasting.

[devildog]

Originally posted by bob
Lesco stainless #80. With rain cap and deflector.

ditto, have three of them. easy to get parts, maintain & repair. with regards... devildog

[recliner5]

The Lesco spreader is the only way to go.. You might get a little bit of sticker shock with the price, but they are well worth it.
I worked for a company back in 95-96 and they are still using the same spreaders today that I did back then.

A little maintenence goes a LONG way!!!!

Tom

P.S. Go with the stainless steel, it's $30 more, but well worth it!!

my pro broadcast spreader I bought worked my balls off from it so hard to push. why are lesco spreaders so great. this spreader I have has 6" or 8" tires, I think maybe it needs bigger tires like (11") does lesco have 11" tires? do your employees like lesco spreaders? thanks, oh hey can you return lesco spreaders?

[kirk1701]

Have a question and this seemed logical to ask here rather then start a new thread for.

I have a Scott's spreader, serves me fine for what I do however once in a while when I spread large granules 10-10-10 or lime for example it's either turn without stopping or kick the hopper :laugh:

The large granules will cause it to jam wide open and releasing the lever don't close the shoot. So whatever I'm spreading just keeps poring out.

So, went and bought a new spreader (Scott's) and I've done took it back because, we'll I also bought some 10-10-10 with it and it did the same thing.

Spreading anything else, small granules works fine.

[figtree]

I use Earthway. I thought that you could only use Lesco Fert in a Lesco spreader LOL.

I just can't handle the sticker shock of Lesco Fertilizer. (I have an inside advantage over most of the guys if not all on the site) I sell fertilizer for a living.

I know what it cost and what is tooo High.

Laying all jokes aside, there are many good spreaders on the market. Just make sure you invest in a Stainless Steel and this only. You will pay the big bucks but you will have many years of service from it. No matter which brand you purchase.

Fertillizer and Mild Steel just don't mix....

greenngrow,

I just purchased a earthway ev-n-spred model 2050p. I noticed that the settings on the fert. bag differs from what the earthway has. can you tell me how to figure out the setting to put down scotts fert?
Thank you!

[lawn king]

We use lesco push, lesco HPS and sitrex pto spreaders.

[blz]

here is a link to steps on how to calibrate a fertilizer spreader: hope it helps.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5232947_calibrate-fertilizer-spreader.html

[piste]

What about the Prizelawn spreaders? There CBR III would seem to be ok...not stainless though. Are they no good?

[Ducke]

I like my Scott's SR-2000
Been using them for years.
I have use lesco as well but find them bulky and heavy.

[lazyike]

I love my lesco spreaders but I hate their 3 hole setup, It seems that one of them is always plugging (no it's not my fert.) I find myself always looking under the spreader to make sure they are all flowing.

[rhyan6]

I like the lesco spreaders and spkyer but i think Anderson makes the best spreader but lesco is best for the money.

[Turf Dawg]

What about the Prizelawn spreaders? There CBR III would seem to be ok...not stainless though. Are they no good?

The newer Prizelawn is the CBR IV and you can get stainless or painted. I am really thinking about trying out a prizelawn Bigfoot 1. After looking at several different brand of spreaders I think Prizelawn builds many spreaders for different companies. I truly think the Anderson 2000 series spreaders are built by Prizelawn, I am pretty sure they are the Bigfoot 1 spreaders that they put the helical cone on there for Andersons. The Anderson 1000 series for sure has to be a Prizelawn CBR IV along with Shindaiwa's and some others. I was also looking at the TurfX spreaders and I am almost positive these are the Bigfoot and the MPR from Prizelawn. Also the AM Leanord spreader seems to be a Prizelawn built also. So I guess Spyker builds their own and Earthway builds their own. MTD pro buids the Cub spreaders and used to build Lesco's, now somebody in China builds Lesco's. I pretty much think the rest are built by Prizelawn.

[ted putnam]

The newer Prizelawn is the CBR IV and you can get stainless or painted. I am really thinking about trying out a prizelawn Bigfoot 1. After looking at several different brand of spreaders I think Prizelawn builds many spreaders for different companies. I truly think the Anderson 2000 series spreaders are built by Prizelawn, I am pretty sure they are the Bigfoot 1 spreaders that they put the helical cone on there for Andersons. The Anderson 1000 series for sure has to be a Prizelawn CBR IV along with Shindaiwa's and some others. I was also looking at the TurfX spreaders and I am almost positive these are the Bigfoot and the MPR from Prizelawn. Also the AM Leanord spreader seems to be a Prizelawn built also. So I guess Spyker builds their own and Earthway builds their own. MTD pro buids the Cub spreaders and used to build Lesco's, now somebody in China builds Lesco's. I pretty much think the rest are built by Prizelawn.

I saw a new Lesco 80# spreader the other day. The hopper screen is done differently now. It's less bulky and is supposedly being made in the USA again. I was told they were having a lot of problems with the Chinese versions. I liked it and may get one. I also had looked hard at a Spyker 48. It holds 50# of fert which is the most I generally ever put in a push spreader hopper anyway. It looks light weight but well built The one hole design of the spyker hopper is nice. I really like it on my Z-spray.

[Turf Dawg]

I saw a new Lesco 80# spreader the other day. The hopper screen is done differently now. It's less bulky and is supposedly being made in the USA again. I was told they were having a lot of problems with the Chinese versions. I liked it and may get one. I also had looked hard at a Spyker 48. It holds 50# of fert which is the most I generally ever put in a push spreader hopper anyway. It looks light weight but well built The one hole design of the spyker hopper is nice. I really like it on my Z-spray.

I have been doing some price checking and this place has about the best prices I have found. I did call because this newer model is suppost to have a double tube handle and 13" tires. They told me this was a outdated picture and info and the ones they have and ship does have the double tube handle and 13" tires.
http://www.russopower.com/products/spyker-spreader-s40-5020/