Lawn Care Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Shindaiwa RS76 Calibration

Jump to Latest
1 - 18 of 18 Posts

mark123

· Registered
Joined
·
519 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Is there a better way of checking the calibration on a broadcast spreader. I'm getting strange results using pans or bowls spaced across the spreader pattern. I believe it is due to the fact that the material is bouncing out of the pan more often than staying in.

If I space 7 pans at 3' intervals I get something like this:
.5cm, .5cm, .75cm, 1.0cm, .75cm 1.5cm, .5cm.

It almost looks right except for that one pan. It may also be due to the deflector blocking some fertilizer even in the up position. I hope that's not the issue, that would really stink. Actually, as stated above, I think the issue is more about getting the material to stay in the pan more than anything else. The driveway is covered but the pans only have a few granules in them. There's got to be a better way.

Since the impeller spins counter-clockwise when looking from the top and the chute is in the back if I adjust the chute closer to the impeller it should move the pattern to the left, correct? It seems to have a negligible effect.
 
#2 ·
Didn't that thing come with any instructions? Don't tell me they said to put out pans and weigh them.....good grief.

You're better off finding a parking lot, and measuring off 1000 sq feet in a straight line, set it on a medium setting and spread that and sweep up the granules and weigh them.....

Or accurately measure your lawn and experiment.


This is the problem when you buy a brand of spreader that's not popular.

And a White spreader? lol Looks neat but it's gonna look dingy after a short while I would imagine.
 
Discussion starter · #3 · (Edited)
I don't need the total amount down calibrated, just the spread pattern. It's not streaking but it doesn't seem right. I know it's impossible to tell from the back.

SeedPro said:
... This is the problem when you buy a brand of spreader that's not popular. ...
Click to expand...
Yeah, no kidding. Buying an off brand bites me in the butt every time! I should know by now. The only reason I bought this one was because it has the single opening like the Anderson's spreaders used to have. I just hate 3-hole hoppers. Of course it doesn't have the Anderson's impeller (2 curved and 2 straight fins) so it doesn't work nearly as well. It also doesn't have the cone, it has a chute.

Guh, I should have just bought the Anderson's spreader. :mad:

I've never streaked with it so I should probably leave it alone, I just like to tweak things to perfection and it just turns into an exercise in frustration.

I'm already in the process of kicking myself, no need to join in. ;)
 
#4 ·
mark123 said:
I don't need the total amount down calibrated, just the spread pattern. It's not streaking but it doesn't seem right. I know it's impossible to tell from the back.

Yeah, no kidding. Buying an off brand bites me in the butt every time! I should know by now. The only reason I bought this one was because it has the single opening like the Anderson's spreaders used to have. I just hate 3-hole hoppers. Of course it doesn't have the Anderson's impeller (2 curved and 2 straight fins) so it doesn't work nearly as well. It also doesn't have the cone, it has a chute.

Guh, I should have just bought the Anderson's spreader. :mad:

I've never streaked with it so I should probably leave it alone, I just like to tweak things to perfection and it just turns into an exercise in frustration.

I'm already in the process of kicking myself, no need to join in. ;)
Click to expand...
It better be possible to tell if the pattern is good from the back cuz that's kinda where you'll be pushing it from.

I never calibrate spreaders. I know what it's supposed to look like by feel but I've been spreading since 1982.

I know what you mean about the three hole hopper but they are fine. You may be referring to the spyker spreader....they have a gate and not three holes. Never used the andersons deal.

The counter clockwise spinner would weird me out. Maybe that's throwing you off as well.

I use a Lesco myself and always will....A lot of my smaller lawns I do with a solo chest spreader.

That shindi spreader is cute though. lol

:walking:
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
SeedPro said:
... I never calibrate spreaders. I know what it's supposed to look like by feel but I've been spreading since 1982.
Click to expand...
Well, come and push mine for a few minutes. :p

I've been doing it since 1995 (maybe 1994) but I took a few years off to take a programming job. Then, instead of hanging myself in a closet to be found by loved ones, I went back to the outdoors. I had a 2 year non-compete that I didn't want to violate. I kept my license credits up but neglected everything else.

SeedPro said:
... That shindi spreader is cute though. lol ...
Click to expand...
Just wait till you see it with about 17 9mm holes in it. :gunsfirin Flargin' adorable!
I'm going to pick up a Lesco.
 
#7 ·
mark123 said:
Well, come and push mine for a few minutes. :p

I've been doing it since 1995 (maybe 1994) but I took a few years off to take a programming job. Then, instead of hanging myself in a closet to be found by loved ones, I went back to the outdoors. I had a 2 year non-compete that I didn't want to violate. I kept my license credits up but neglected everything else.

Just wait till you see it with about 17 9mm holes in it. :gunsfirin Flargin' adorable!
I'm going to pick up a Lesco.
Click to expand...
It'll spread like the dickens with all those holes.

:cool2:
 
#10 ·
With the Lesco spring for the deflector with the on off lever and the third hole shutoff on off lever.

That's what I have....works great.

Guys here say the lescos are cheap and now made in China but I don't buy that.....I saw one the other day and it's the same as they ever were.

If you like the one opening gate get down look into a spyker.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
SeedPro said:
... I mean if you were loaded with cash you wouldn't be driving that load.
Click to expand...
Man, that's mean. lol That was a fancy car 26 years ago. :p

You're right though. I don't have a dime to spare right now and I've got to get a fertilizer order together soon. If anyone's ever considering taking a desk job to get out from behind a mower or spreader, just withdraw all of your funds and light them on fire and then get back to lawn work. It'll save you a few steps in between.
 
#13 ·
mark123 said:
Man, that's mean. lol That was a fancy car 26 years ago. :p

You're right though. I don't have a dime to spare right now and I've got to get a fertilizer order together soon. If anyone's ever considering taking a desk job to get out from behind a mower or spreader, just withdraw all of your funds and light them on fire and then get back to lawn work. It'll save you a few steps in between.
Click to expand...
I was fancy 26 years ago too. Things change.

:cry:
 
#14 ·
Your best bet is to just set it in the ball park and then go experiment on an area of known square footage. I have the same spreader and for average prill size, setting "F" will give you around 12K for a 50 pound bag.

Don't tighten that adjustment knob too tight or it will crack. Just snug.
 
#15 ·
Looks fine to me. Very similar to Prizelawn--I think they make Scotts and Anderson spreaders. Impeller spins the same way as Lesco and Andersons. Deflector is on the right. You are correct about the adjustment effects.
Actually, you are probably more accurate than most. You are probably already more even than anybody who responded so far, in the top 5 percent for sure.

One way is to get 10 coffee mugs. Set out at 1 foot intervals. Spread 4 or 5 times in the same direction; count the particles, or weigh or estimate. Cover parts of the opening with duct tape to change the pattern if you need to.
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
SeedPro said:
I was fancy 26 years ago too. Things change.
Click to expand...
I thought old cars get cooler or something. :p
GravelyGuy said:
Your best bet is to just set it in the ball park and then go experiment on an area of known square footage. I have the same spreader and for average prill size, setting "F" will give you around 12K for a 50 pound bag.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I got that. I'm adjusting for pattern not pound per k. :)

RigglePLC said:
One way is to get 10 coffee mugs. Set out at 1 foot intervals. Spread 4 or 5 times in the same direction; count the particles, or weigh or estimate. Cover parts of the opening with duct tape to change the pattern if you need to.
Click to expand...
Hmm. Maybe a deeper bin would help. A coffee cup may make the difference as long as I can roll over the one in the middle.
 
#17 ·
Sorry, I should have read closer. I've tried adjusting and mine has always thrown more fert to the right. I've never had streaking problems, just make sure your throwing tire to tire mark. One pass will be a little closer than the other.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
GravelyGuy said:
... I've tried adjusting and mine has always thrown more fert to the right.
Click to expand...
EXACTLY!!! It's not just me then? :)

GravelyGuy said:
I've never had streaking problems, just make sure your throwing tire to tire mark. One pass will be a little closer than the other.
Click to expand...
I've also never streaked with it and it does seem that I have to make the left tire track facing each other pass a little closer than the right tire tracks. I guess I shouldn't worry about it then. :) Thanks!
 
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
About this Discussion
17 Replies
4 Participants
Last post:
mark123
Lawn Care Forum
posts
7.2M
members
230K
Since
1999
A forum community dedicated to lawn care and landscaping professionals and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Lawn Mowing Pesticide & Herbicide Application 🔧 Mechanic and Repair Business Operations Lawn Mowing Equipment