Fertilizer Application

[FINN]

I intended to apply Lesco 18-24-12 with a Lesco rotary spreader over approx 60k area. I dialed the spreader using the lesco calibration guage to #15 as indicated on the bag. Each bag covers 12/k . I expected to use about 5 bags of product at this rate. I only used 1.25 bags. Its been awhile since I applied fert... ..but.....i could tell right away something was not right. The spreader is new.

I am confused to say the least. I tried to do everything buy the book. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

[SodKing]

I would look at whether the third hole was closed or perhaps you had several holes clogged.

[FINN]

Third hole was open. I noticed the agitator was scraping the bottom of the hopper on one end. I have since raised it. I dont think it was enough to have that much of an adverse effect. It was still doing its job its just had some friction from the hopper.

[TSM]

did you overlap correctly? (to the nearest tire mark?)

those calibration guages are pretty much just 'ball park'. Obviously in your case not really even in the same ball park...
1.25 bag (62-65lbs) must have just barely seen any product shooting out of that spreader. As mentioned be sure product was not clumping causing blockage....or....just open up the spreader more.

[FINN]

TSM - I didnt overlap as you suggest. I have applied fert on golf course greens in the past and was always taught to "throw" the pattern into the edge of previous pattern. This was supposed to reduce overlap. I did a search on lesco spreaders and noticed people talk about the 11-3 pattern and throwing the pattern to your last set of tire marks. I did notice the 11-3 and will try the overlap. It just seems like I am overlaping on the side that throws heaviest. I have always thought too much overlap could result in a burn.

That being said it still see seemed like hardly any product was coming out. I didnt notice any clumps, everything appeared to be normal.

Thank you for the reply.

[SodKing]

My next thought would be to see if the holes are opening properly when you push the lever forward. When you push the lever forward do the holes open to the mark ion the calibration guage?

[FINN]

Sod King - I checked it out before I loaded the hopper. It opened to the correct calibration. My questions is does the loaded hopper have an affect on how well the holes holes open up?

[LwnmwrMan22]

Not to be a smarta$$, but when you got the spreader, it says what numbers to set the spreader at.

However, you should figure out the width of your spread pattern. Once you know how wide that is, figure out how long it takes 1 lb of material to run through the spreader.

Once you have THAT figured out, take 1000 and divide it by your spread pattern width.

Then, try to walk, ride, whatever kind of spreader you have, the distance that 1000 / your spread pattern with, within the time that it took for 1 lb of material to go through the spreader.

I THINK that's the steps. :)

If not, someone will correct me I'm sure.

[FINN]

LM22 - I think my original post indicates that I set the spreader to the number indicated on the bag and I checked it with the calibration guage.

I do think your idea of calibrating the spreader is the best cross reference for this situation. The product just wasnt coming out like it should have.

thank you for the reply.

[sniggly]

This question is going to sound bad but I can't help it. Did you actually push 60ksqft before you realized you were having a coverage problem? That's an acre and a half (roughly). If you estimated 5 bags.........and you had only used one bag by the time you reached an acre...........???????????? Again...this is a question born out of constructive curiosity rather than condemnation. Which spreader are you using?

Listen......that fert is not a fert I use.....but I do use Lesco fert's. I am one of those guys that want's to know the prill size before I buy a new product from them. Lesco doesn't always get it right.

BTW.....the best 'measuring stick' for determining what kind of pattern your spreader is making is black asphalt.

Bottom line is this.......once you have figured out how the spreader 'spreads' you are going to have to push that 60ksqft again......that sucks!

Good Luck To You!

[FINN]

Sniggly- Its a fair question. I could tell from the begining I wasnt getting coverage. I felt I should finish what I started. In other words, I knew the amount of coverage I was getting wouldnt hurt and I could adjust for it when I came back. If I felt it was too much I would have stopped right then.

I do think calibrating the spreader for this product and adjusting the overlap as most do for these lesco spreaders is what I need to do.

thanks

[GREENITUP]

Finn - you need to throw back to the last wheel tracks. Use the side-shield
on the edges. Your agitator sounds fine -was the fert was wet and/ or clogging? If all three holes were open - all you can do is throw that guage book away and learn how much your spreader puts out at your walking speed.... Just takes getting to know the ol girl. Open her up some on some black-top like an earlier post suggests. How large were the prills?

[FINN]

Greenitup- I went back and threw to my last wheel track and open it up a bit. Still not satisfied but I felt like I was at least getting some coverage. Still have product left over that should have been used. So what I plan to do is calibrate the spreader at my original setting and at my speed to see what exactly it was putting out. The fert was dry and no clogging.

I am starting to believe the calibration info from the mfg is not reliable.

[LwnmwrMan22]

Greenitup- I went back and threw to my last wheel track and open it up a bit. Still not satisfied but I felt like I was at least getting some coverage. Still have product left over that should have been used. So what I plan to do is calibrate the spreader at my original setting and at my speed to see what exactly it was putting out. The fert was dry and no clogging.

I am starting to believe the calibration info from the mfg is not reliable.

The only way is to calibrate your spreader to whatever material that you're using. You can't really go by what a "bag" or "mfg" says, especially if you can see that it's not working.

The nice thing is, unless you're doing ALOT of different products, you should only have to do the "1000' " test 1 time for each product, then write the numbers down on the spreader book so you have them.

[trying 2b organic]

I bet it is a prill size issue. To help I wonder what number setting on you Lesco walk behinds you are usually at. It will depend partly on overlap and I had no idea some throw to the last tire pass. You walk more but get more even coverage I suppose. I think I am usually set at 15 for sythetic products and 21 for organics. Of course these generalizations mean little when as you mentioned overlap, prill size and correct lbs per K for that product are major factors.
Where I used to work they would tell us what to set the spreader at and at the end of the day use the number of bags and the total square footage to keep us on our game, cost wise.

[Rtom45]

The Lesco spreaders also have an adjustment on the bottom of the hopper - make sure that is set correctly.

[FINN]

Rt45 - the third hole was open. I am not aware of any other adjustments that could be made on the bottom of the hopper. I would like to know more if there is. Thanks.

[Rtom45]

Finn:
Give your Lesco reps a call and explain the problem to them. If they don't give you a good answer (because some of them have no practical experience), ask them to get an answer from a technical person in the company. Our Lesco spreaders have all been accurate when we apply their products per label information. Also, you may want to make sure the settings you are using are for the correct model spreader.

[SodKing]

I aggree. I have been pushing a lesco spreader for 15 years and have never had a calibration issue.

[TSM]

one more thought.......are you sure of the lawn size???

silly question i know, but if your measurements are off....... that would account for the 'light' application.

[FINN]

I really appreciate the feedback I have been getting on this. I've been wracking my brain trying to figure it out. Its been fun too. I've had to blow the dust off my turf degree.

I know the setting is correct for the spreader and the product. I have a lot more experience determining the size of an area than I do spreading fert. However, I did ask myself those questions.

The spreader is a Lesco 80lb Rotary Stainless. The product is Lesco is 18-24-12 Starter Fert. The product label info says LESCO Calibration Guage #15. I double checked it to be sure.

I plan to talk with Lesco and calibrate this spreader. I'm more interested in the answers from calibrating than anything else. I have a scale on order. As soon as it comes in I'll do the calibration and share the results. Hopefully it will answer some questions. Your feedback will be appreciated again.

[LwnmwrMan22]

You could have gone to Wal-Mart and picked up a scale. Just to let you know, in case they start telling you each week, that it'll be on the truck next week. :)