Hydro Seeding

[A CUT ABOVE]

Any of you guys in the hydro seeding business? I just bought my first hydro seeder less than a month ago. Already made about $12,000.00 with it. Boy, wish I had done it sooner. What a great add-on to my business. In fact, I have been so busy, I haven't been on the forum since I got the thing. Just an idea for some of ya'll looking for a great idea for an add-on!

[cutting edge]

What size did you buy? Price? Are you doing new construction or renovation? How does Jesup compare to Albany and Americus?
Thanks

[TGCummings]

Where can I learn more about it? I'm working up some upgrades in all aspects of my business, adding services as well as quality equipment, and would like to look into hydro-seeding as well.

I've heard good things so far... ;)

-TGC

[Indiana]

I have done hydroseeding for about five years. I have a Finn T-50 trailer model. 500 gallon, sprays about 6000-7000 square feet.

I really like it. Good money, fairly easy, except for dragging the 100 foot hose around houses.

The best guy to talk to is Al Shrand at Finn Corp. He is an expert on hydroseeding. Finn invented "hydroseeding" in the sixties and have really developed it.

I would like to know how much you guys that do it charge. By the square foot is the way I do it. Mine runs between .045 and .06 cents per per square foot. It all depends on the seed they want.

[jrblawncare]

I have thought of HydoSeeding as well,if fact just recieved my Finn info. in the mail.I saw alot of Hydroseed work when I was living up north,since my move to KY have not seen much here.Most use seed and straw.A CUT ABOVE glad to here its working for you,I see your down South so I guess you can sell it here! INDIANA,I see you are down south as well,What kind of money are we talking for that 500 gallon system?I'm looking at the T60 series 2.THANKS

[Indiana]

Last time I checked I think a T-60 will run about $19,000. It may be a little less. I have a T-50 with a Kubota 3 cyl. deisel. They don't market the deisel anymore because of the extra money. Naturally, deisels are easier on fuel. I bought mine used. It was a good deal, but I had to alot of nick picky stuff on it because the guy before didn't do anything but fuel it.

One big drawback... The weight. My seeder weighs 3300 lbs. empty 7800 fully loaded. It is a heck of a thing to pull up 25% grades. I got a Chevy one ton, 2WD. Should have a 4WD deisel, but I can't afford it right now.

Look at the TurfMaker. It is skid mounted and weighs alot less. 1700 lbs. Also, TurfMaker makes a trailer model. It still has a mechinical agitator and all that a Finn has. Skid mounted runs about $11,000 no more.

That's what I might do to get out of buying a 4WD.

[Davis TLC]

You might want to check out the Turbo Turf units. A 500 gallon skid mount unit with 25 hp 4" x 4" pump list for $8595.00. I have been looking at possibly adding this service to my business as well. Tubo Turf's website, http://www.turboturf.com , has lots of information on units and information in general on Hydorseeding.

[Indiana]

Watch out for jet agitated units. There are alot of them on the market. You must have a mechanical agitator to use the hydro-seeder and not have problems with clogs and pump failure.

I know a few guys that had these units and went out of business because of problems with their seeders. TurfMaker, Finn, and Bowie are all good seeders.

[lawndog]

See the post above, he said all I wanted to
say.Very important to listen to those who
have used them,there is differances in them.
Not all hydroseeders are the same.

[Alan]

Indiana wrote, >>Watch out for jet agitated units. There are alot of them on the market. You must have a mechanical agitator to use the hydro-seeder and not have problems with clogs and pump failure. <<

Don't make such broad statements. Turbo Turf units will mix as well as the mechanical units will. They might not with the really serious erosion control mulches from Conwed, but with normal paper mulch they will mix as fast as you can put it in the tank. The jet agitated ones that have problems use some sort of tube to disperse the jets into the tank through small holes. Turbo Turf, on their XPW series machines use 2" agitator jets and a HUGE bale buster that shoots in from the end of the tank.

I built a baby unit for myself, only 200 gallon, but I put 1 1'4" agitators, four of them, and a 2" bale buster. It will mix as fast as I can add mulch, by the time I get back with a bucket of seed the mulch is dispersed, dump in the seed and top off the tank and spray! Working alone, dragging my own hose and doing my own mixing I can put down right around 5,000 ft per hour. Not bad for a rig that I've only got about $2500 invested in.

[turfquip]

Finn, Bowie, both good units. There is another, relatively new player in the hydroseeder market, DFI.

DFI only builds stainless steel units - which eliminates the need for refurbishing 10 - 15 years down the road as steel units are plagued with corrosion.

DFI is not a new company - they've been building stainless steel water trucks, lube rigs, and service vehicles for many years. They understand the components and the plumbing.

Every DFI unit is custom made to your specs. You pick the hose reel, monitor, storage areas, etc. There is a good variety of engine options available, from Kubota 20 h.p. diesel to John Deere 90 h.p. diesel.

DFI is not for everybody. All I'm saying is that there is an all stainless alternative that might be worth a look.

There's more information on DFI <A HREF="http://www.turfquip.com/hydroseeding.html#SS">right here</A>

[SLSNursery]

We've been running and renting out a Finn T-90 unit this season (A friend of mine bought it, and we house and service the unit for him). Seems like the work finds you when you have a machine like this, however, since it is not busy all of the time, it has been more of a convenience item. Even though the work is profitable, its still a tough sell to me. Fortunately I didn't need to buy this unit, because it would be tough to justify ownership outside of my current 'sharing' situation. I expect the rentals to pick up, and help defray the costs of the machine, but that too is a tough nut to crack, because sometimes guys who you don't trust want to rent the unit.


In fact, this morning, a guy came into the shop looking to get 4000 square feet shot, we'll do the job later today after we get a tire fixed. Yesterday we shot 10,000 square feet on a job that had some pretty wet sections after some heavy rainfall this week. We probably couldn't really walk a spreader in some areas, so the Hydroseeder with the turret was just perfect. Rent before you buy, then you will be able to justify a purchase when the time comes.

[EarthWorks]

I bought a turbo turf last year. These are good starter machines but I will probably upgrade to a mechanical next year. Do not look at hydro seed as a get rich quick. It will take you time to learn the best mixes and be successful just like anything else.

[ncoupe]

Our company has been hydroseeding for about 18 years now.
#1) We have always used FINN. Indiana is so right. USE MECHANICAL AGITATOR.
#2) Wood fiber mulch is far superior to paper. Well worth the extra $.
#3) We are in the Pacific Northwest. During the winter you can use the hydroseeder for de-icing to continue your winter income.
#4) We also charge by the SF. About .06 for up to 5000SF. Then it starts dropping the more you have. Contractors get a discount. And we have a minimum charge. States around us are getting about .08/sf. The price will depend alot on your mixture. And THAT is the most important issue in your success or failure. There are numerous additives you can use depending on the soil you are seeding.

[Edited by ncoupe on 09-24-2000 at 04:00 PM]

[Indiana]

I have had pretty good results. My biggest problems involve my mulch drying out and nothing getting watered. On roadside banks, extremely remote sites.

I have tried Finn's Hydrogel. Has anybody tried it.

The past two summers have been really dry. Most of the time I try to encourage waiting till fall to seed. However, EPA has been strict concerning leaving sites unseeded.

Also, I have a Billy Goat TR-1102 Truck Loader I am thinking of turning into a straw blower during the summer months. Has anybody ever done that?