Spreader 3 Pt Spreader for Grass Seeding?

tarious · Apr 27, 2006

Greetings,

Anyone have any advice for planting grass seed for a lawn? I am familiar with the prep work, but I just *hate* renting equipment. The local TSC store has a cosmos poly hopper 3 pt spreader that appears to be designed for fertilizer. Could it be used to plant grass?

I plan to spray the existing growth with glyphosate, wait a week, roto-till, then box blade to level, then landscape rake to pick up small rocks and debris...then I was considering using a broadcast seeder like I mentioned above and following it with a 900 pound lawn roller behind that.

The local rental place wants 200/day for their "brillo" or something like that...I'd rather spend 1000 and own something than pay 200 for rental...I think the TSC one was around $400.00.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Farmwithjunk · Apr 27, 2006

(

The local rental place wants 200/day for their "brillo" or something like that...
)

Probably mean BRILLION. Finest landscape seeder made. You CAN broadcast seed. Not the most accurate method. Brillion seeder probably is the most accurate grass seeder.

RonR · Apr 27, 2006

How much area are you planting?

For normal sized lawns, I just use a drop seeder. It pushes easy and puts down an even spread. I wouldn't want to use it on an acre or more, but it's easy for smaller areas.

I've not used a 3PH spreader, but I can't see that spreading very evenly. For a large area, maybe it would do ok.

ron

tarious · Apr 27, 2006

I am seeding 5.5 acres. It has been mowed for years, but there is very little grass and rough terrain. Grass seed isn't cheap either, so I don't want to waste money using the 3 pt spreader, but if it is effective enough...I'll try it.

Thanks

Highbeam · Apr 27, 2006

I have seeded several acres with a wrist mounted whirlybird fertilizer spreader. Very seldomyl did I need to shake it a bit to keep the seeds flowing. It's a lot of walking but like with any spreader you spread one way and then turn 90 and spread the other to prevent rows. I have had very good luck with this method. A 3ph spreader has the added advantage of an internal agitator or stirrer to keep the material flowing. Many are capable of spreading lime as well as fertilizer. Our sewage treatment plant produces a pelletized "solid waste based soil amendment" that is rated as a 4-4-4 organic fertilizer and the wrist whirly spread that too.

Get the spreader. It should fling grass just fine. Plus fertilizer and lime. If coverage isn't golf course quality don't worry it will fill in.

cp1969 · Apr 27, 2006

( Many are capable of spreading lime as well as fertilizer. ) Do you mean pelletized lime or ag lime?

I have a 3 point and a shoulder bag spreader. Both have their uses--you can do a better job with less seed using the shoulder bag but I sure wouldn't want to spread fertilizer that way.

I don't think you'll regret getting a 3 point spreader--I haven't. Herd makes good ones, too.

john_bud · Apr 27, 2006

Whadda ya mean, you wouldn't want to spread fertilizer with a shoulder bag? Last year I spread over 1000 pounds of lime and 300 of fertilizer along with 4 bu of oats, 2 bu of wheat, 2 bu of buckwheat, 100# of clover and 35# of brassica all with a shoulder bag. Oh, and I had to shlep the bags around to various staging area. Did about the same amounts the last 2 years, too.

Hmmm, come to think of it, that 3pt spreader does sound pretty good... What have I been thinking!

jb

Soundguy · Apr 27, 2006

That's how I got my wife to OK my first 3pt seeder purchase. I let her help me fertalize our 13 ac one year. About 2ac into it, she was telling me to go get the 3pt seeder..

Soundguy

kensfarm · Apr 28, 2006

"The local rental place wants 200/day for their "brillo" or something like that"

It would only take you a day.. and renting the grass seeding equipment would probably save you $200 in grass seed. Just plain old K31 went up $20 this year for a 50lb bag.

I have an old grain drill that has grass seed boxes on the rear.. you set the rate/per acre & off you go.

Take the time to make a good seed bed.. it'll pay off.

caylor · Apr 28, 2006

You have to use pelletized lime if using a broadcast spreader, otherwise you end up with a cloud of lime going everywhere instead of down on the ground (on equipment, cars, buildings, dogs, etc.), don't ask me how I know this /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif If using a drop spreader, the ag lime works just fine.

cp1969 · Apr 28, 2006

That's what I thought. It sure would be nice if you could spread ag lime, though--it costs about $4 per ton compared to $120 for pelletized.

TXAG · Apr 28, 2006

I know all about that expensive grass seed. I just mixed mine in the 3 pt spreader with three bags of "playground sand" from walmart and went to town. At $395 / 50# I didn't want it all to end up in one big pile.

Highbeam · Apr 29, 2006

I am sure it could spread pelletized lime but not sure about the dust. The description for a spreader at TSC or Northern had a description listing lime as being able to be spread.

slaveToHorses · Apr 29, 2006

The broadcast spreader will work fine. Not as efficient as a drop type though.
I have had a Sitrex for a couple of years with no issues.
Here is a link, price has gone up quite a bit but a good spreader.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sitrex-250-Rotary-Broadcast-Spreader-550-lbs-capacity_W0QQitemZ7612061181QQcategoryZ11752QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Farmwithjunk · Apr 29, 2006

I've spread hydrated lime (dust) one time with a spinner type spreader. That was about 10 years ago. I'll bet the dust is STILL flying. hat chore is best left to a drop spreader. Pelletized or "mill run" AG lime from a quarry will spread, just don't get carried away when filling the hopper with the AG lime. It packs tight.

lcisled · Apr 29, 2006

Grass seeding is mainly about seed to soil contact and water. That is why a brillion seeder usually does a great job, it does a great job with seed to soil contact and also does not get the seed too deep. Metering is also much better than a broadcast spreader

If it were me, I would buy the spreader (you will need it for fertilizer anyway) and rent the brillion for the seeding. I think it will pay for itself in a better grass stand.

flusher · Apr 29, 2006

I only have about 3/4 acre of lawn on my 10-acre spread. So I handle landscaping chores with a cheap $1000 Huskee 18hp, 42" riding mower with a 42" Agri-Fab drop spreader ($200) for seed and fertilizer. I like drop spreaders more than the broadcast type because of better accuracy, less waste.

Use the B7510HST/LA302FEL to mow about 7 acres of weeds with a 4-ft KK brush hog (TSC, $675 last June).