Spreader broadcater spreader settings ?s

[nickspalding]

I have never posted, but lurked for quite awhile. I have a 3pt spreader I think it is a gearmore unit, but most of the cone style spreaders are the same design. I am planning on broadcasting some different seeds for erosion control on several hillsides that I have recently bulldozed and overseeding a few pastures with this spreader. Mine does not have a lb/acre chart for seeds, only for fertilizer. Most of these cone style broadcaters have gate adjustments from 0-10. If someone would post either some seeding rates that they have used in the past with success or the rates posted on their spreader I would be very grateful. Thank you

 

[BTDT]

Welcome to TBN. Does the unit manufacturer have a website? Maybe they have something online that would help you. I got to thinking, a pound is a pound, be it seed or fertilizer, so how would the spreader know the difference? But I can see where the size of the object being spread would also factor in. Sorry I can't be of more help. So, where will this re-seeding take place. Might want to fill in your profile, others will ask...what kind/size of tractor, other implements, etc.

 

[shaley]

Here is a link to a Vicon 3pt spreader.

 

[Blksim]

I have never posted, but lurked for quite awhile. I have a 3pt spreader I think it is a gearmore unit, but most of the cone style spreaders are the same design. I am planning on broadcasting some different seeds for erosion control on several hillsides that I have recently bulldozed and overseeding a few pastures with this spreader. Mine does not have a lb/acre chart for seeds, only for fertilizer. Most of these cone style broadcaters have gate adjustments from 0-10. If someone would post either some seeding rates that they have used in the past with success or the rates posted on their spreader I would be very grateful. Thank you

My concern would be how far the spreader could throw the seed. Example being small and lightweight orchardgrass seed. If your spreader is anything like the small 3ph model I've used the gate would have to be at the smallest possible setting. I realize it would be additional expense but do you think mixing your seed with fertillizer would help?

 

[Mike120]

Cone type spreaders are really designed for putting out fertilizer/dry chemicals. Seed is usually much finer and doesn't need as heavy an application. I use mine for overseeding bermuda but always have to mix the seed with 100# of sand for 5-6#'s of seed. Rye grass seed is large enough that I don't need sand and I'm usually putting down 70-80# acre. If there is some magic formula for figuring out the setting, I sure don't know it. I generally just watch the rate and adjust it on the fly when I'm working in my horse paddocks. If I'm overseeding in one of the hay fields, I just have the seed mixed in with my bulk fertilizer and spread it with the fertilizer buggy.

By the way, if you use the cone spreader for fertilizer, be sure you wash it and your tractor off afterwards they'll both last a lot longer.

 

[rebelmedic]

70-80 LBS of rye grass to the acre??? Guess it takes a lot more than here in Mississippi. We only put 20LBS to the acre and have plenty of grass. Mine will spread rye grass 52 feet. At 7.5 mph gate opening is #2 for 20lbs acre. The biggest opening for small seeds is 2.5. It`s still best to watch the output and adjust as needed.

 

[nickspalding]

Thanks everyone for the replies. The area I am going to be working is a range improvement area that is rough and would destroy a drill. I will probably be putting out annual rye, some type of fescue, and some type of brome. Also this area is rough so speeds above 5mph would beat me to death. I will also be putting out some type of superphosphate and/or some nitrogen so maybe I will just mix the seed and fertilizer. As for my profile I have quite a few tractors and implements ranging form 300hp to 20hp.