Lawn spreaders for small pastures ?

[bcarwell]

I've been looking at drop and broadcast seed spreaders for my small pasture (3-4 acres). The ones I'm looking at are intended for lawns which explains the denser planting setting. But the lowest settings are 2 lbs. per 1000 FEET., yet the bermuda hay seed application rate is around 10-15 pounds per ACRE. Can you use these lawn spreaders for small acreage and if so how do you get the setting lower ? Do you cut it with sand or what ? The bigger ag (e.g. cone, etc.) broadcast spreaders (Tractor Supply, etc.) I'm told aren't really for tiny grass seed and waste too much. And they're also very expensive (~ $500+) compared to the "lawn" type (~ $200) I know with the lawn seeders I've got to do more passes which is fine (4 foot wide for the drop spreader and 12 feet for the broadcast spreader) and they also seem to provide more control for this expensive $$$ seed. But I'm worried about not being able to adjust them to lighter seeding. Any ideas ? What would you use for 4 acres ?

Bob

 

[MarkV]

Bob the PTO run broadcast spreaders are difficult to adjust for small seed like Bermuda. And yes they often cut the seed with sand to have better control. Have checked to see if you need lime to balance the PH. If so the broadcast spreader may be the way to go. YOu generally have to put down a fair amount. If not the drop spreader offers more control for seed.

MarkV

 

[MMagis]

For just 3-4 acres, I'd probbly use a bag spreader. Maybe split it up and not do it all in one day. But would save money and you'd get better results.
Edit: I forgot about the push/walk behind spreaders. They work well and you can set them low enough for what you need. More expensive than a bag spreader by a little bit, but less shoulder pain and faster.

 

[BeezFun]

I paid a guy to come in and do mine, he had the drill type seeder that got the seed right in the ground. It was awhile ago so I don't remember how much I paid, it was in the $100s as I recall, so I couldn't even consider buying my own implement to do this. Especially since the machine he had was probably very expensive, and did a really good job, while anything I would buy would likely be more consumer grade and not nearly as effective. He also gets the seed in bulk, where I'm paying retail down at the farm store.

 

[jenkinsph]

I think I would use a small pull type broadcast spin spreader and cut the seed with dry sand about three parts sand to 1 part seed. Take the time to make it a uniform mix. You will have to get off the machine and verify the spread pattern for the seed to determine your spacing. Bear in mind the sand will be thrown further than the seeds.

Another option is coated seeds as these seem to broadcast farther than the uncoated seeds.

 

[arsenix2001]

I have a befco 209 rotary 3pt i was just messing with tonight... Id go that route if your doing alot of lime, fert etc. It CAN be adjusted down to a tiny opening just like the pull behinds, just gotta keep an eye on it. My jd pull behind wouldnt spread fescue for s***, kept interlocking and jamming even wide open... It was a nightmare.

 

[ZLineFabrication]

I've been looking at drop and broadcast seed spreaders for my small pasture (3-4 acres). The ones I'm looking at are intended for lawns which explains the denser planting setting. But the lowest settings are 2 lbs. per 1000 FEET., yet the bermuda hay seed application rate is around 10-15 pounds per ACRE. Can you use these lawn spreaders for small acreage and if so how do you get the setting lower ? Do you cut it with sand or what ? The bigger ag (e.g. cone, etc.) broadcast spreaders (Tractor Supply, etc.) I'm told aren't really for tiny grass seed and waste too much. And they're also very expensive (~ $500+) compared to the "lawn" type (~ $200) I know with the lawn seeders I've got to do more passes which is fine (4 foot wide for the drop spreader and 12 feet for the broadcast spreader) and they also seem to provide more control for this expensive $$$ seed. But I'm worried about not being able to adjust them to lighter seeding. Any ideas ? What would you use for 4 acres ?

Bob

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i have had good results with this spreader. used it exclusively on our 5-6acre field to spread seed and fertilizer. make sure to use the cover so the seed stays in the hopper. we made an extended lever handle so that it could be operated from the drivers seat. also fabricated a hitch for the xmark so it could be pulled behind it for our true "lawn" areas. all-in-all, the best bang for your buck.

 

[gabeancounter]

I am planting 4 acres in bermuda in two weeks. 200 lbs of seed. I am going to pickup one of these hand held earthway jobs. I have the large pull behind spreader for lawn tractors that holds 3-4 bags of fertilizer but those are not capable of applying bermuda seed well.

Buying sand and mixing it properly and then trying to figure out spread patterns, volumes settings and getting close enough on rows etc. Just to much for 4 acres.

Drop the $30 and in about 2-3 hours I would expect to be able to apply the seed. Here is the unit I am referring about.
Amazon.com: Earthway 2750 Hand-Operated Bag Spreader/Seeder: Patio, Lawn & Garden

 

[ModMech]

I used the broadcast spreader we bought for the lawn - when we only had 0.25Ac

I seeded an acre with it and while it took a lot of walking, it did not take a long time. I was able to monitor the seeds as they fell to get even coverage and re-filled the hopper every other turn. Overall it worked well but not doable of the entire 10Ac.

 

[ZLineFabrication]

Tip for good seed dispersion: cut your application rate in half. then apply in two directions, perpendicular to each other.

this applies to fertilizer as well.

 

[bjr]

When I did my Orchard grass pasture I added sereal bags of generic floor dry (cat Litter) when I used my cone spreader (spin spreader). That seem to keep the seed and floor dry in the mix. bjr

 

[MarkV]

I am planting 4 acres in bermuda in two weeks. 200 lbs of seed. I am going to pickup one of these hand held earthway jobs. I have the large pull behind spreader for lawn tractors that holds 3-4 bags of fertilizer but those are not capable of applying bermuda seed well.

Buying sand and mixing it properly and then trying to figure out spread patterns, volumes settings and getting close enough on rows etc. Just to much for 4 acres.

Drop the $30 and in about 2-3 hours I would expect to be able to apply the seed. Here is the unit I am referring about.
Amazon.com: Earthway 2750 Hand-Operated Bag Spreader/Seeder: Patio, Lawn & Garden

Hope that works out for you. My experience is that you are way, way underestimating the amount of time it will take to cover 4 acres with that spreader. I also thought it was a little early to plant Bermuda in Georgia. I am not an expert though.

Good luck,

MarkV

 

[arsenix2001]

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[arsenix2001]

LOL, I finally clicked on that link :laughing: You will be lucky if you even finish in a day... it takes me a couple hours to do 4 acres using a tow behind and 50lb bags at a time... you will spend that 2-3 hrs just running back and forth to refill that bag! I think that is for Harry homeowner who has a 1/4 acre lot.

 

[jenkinsph]

The seed is so small and the amount to apply per acre can make this difficult. It would be very easy to screw this up, don't ask me how I know.

 

[gabeancounter]

Hope that works out for you. My experience is that you are way, way underestimating the amount of time it will take to cover 4 acres with that spreader. I also thought it was a little early to plant Bermuda in Georgia. I am not an expert though.

Good luck,

MarkV

Maybe it takes all day to apply the sead with this spreader, but I guess I am going to give it a try and will report back. At $130 for each 50 lb bag I can not afford a big learning curve with my large spreader.

Laying seed first week of April is about right? The guy across the street is some growing expert for Pennington Seed, he says they shoot for April 15 each year. Its going to take me about a week to completly prep and apply everything.