Not happy with spreader performance

[LHS Inc]

I used my Landpride FSP 1000 3pt spinner spreader for the first time last Fall on a 3.5 acre lawn spreading fertilize and the results are showing up now and I'm not very pleased. I've got 3'-4' wide dark green strips in the lawn. The width of spread is 25' a side so I made my passes about 20' apart. I've always used a pull behind broadcast spinner spreader and never had a problem with stripping. I stepped up to the 3pt spreader when I got my JD 3520. I like the spreader, it seemed to operate smoothly.

One solution could be to reduce the rate and tighten my passes to around 10 feet. In the smaller areas of the lawn where I had no choice but to overlap by alot it didn't stripe at all so that might be the key to the problem. For those that have a pendular style spreader yes I know they are the best perfoming in this size spreader but I couldn't see spending 3 times the amount for one when all I've ever used are spinners and got good results. Looking for answers, don't want to have to sell and get a pendular but might have to if I can't solve the problem, live and learn. Thanks.

 

[GGB]

Did you just do an up and back pattern, or use a second application at 90 degrees to the first pattern by applying at half the rate?

Takes longer, but I've not had as much of a problem with overlap patterns by using two passes. Sometimes, I'll even do a third pattern at 45 degreees to the first two passes if I have misjudged how heavy I was applying the fertilizer and have extra leftover.

The other option is to use a less powerful fertilizer and do a second application a few weeks later. This will almost always eliminate the patterns you're describing, especially if you apply with two passes each time.

Easy for me to say, if you've got the time!

GGB

 

[allen in texas]

Are you talking about stripes that are curved like they are made as the spreader slings the fertilizer? Are the stripes across your travel direction?

If this is the case, you need to speed up the pto speed and keep the tractor speed the same.

Pictures of your stripes would help.

 

[art]

It would be interesting to know where the overlap came from?

 

[LHS Inc]

Are you talking about stripes that are curved like they are made as the spreader slings the fertilizer? Are the stripes across your travel direction?

If this is the case, you need to speed up the pto speed and keep the tractor speed the same.

Pictures of your stripes would help.

Its a straight line stripe in the direction that I traveled. I'll get some pics by tommorow.

 

[moored4]

Are you talking about stripes that are curved like they are made as the spreader slings the fertilizer? Are the stripes across your travel direction?

If this is the case, you need to speed up the pto speed and keep the tractor speed the same.

Pictures of your stripes would help.

X2! Is it overlap, long strips the way of travel or like Allen is sugesting!

Pictures would help!

 

[moored4]

Its a straight line stripe in the direction that I traveled. I'll get some pics by tommorow.

Then you over lapped! You might try the 2 pass method mentioned next time that is what I usually do!

 

[LHS Inc]

Then you over lapped! You might try the 2 pass method mentioned next time that is what I usually do!

I have always over lapped due to fert being thinned out to the farthest reach of the throw. Been doing it that way for years with a spinner spreader with out this happening. I used 24-0-11 50% slow release. Its a good quality fert, spreads great. It looks like nothing was spread for 25'-30' and then a dark green stripe. Maybe it was the over lap I don't know, I've just never had this problem before.
I'll have the pics on Tuesday

 

[art]

I've got 3'-4' wide dark green strips in the lawn. The width of spread is 25' a side so I made my passes about 20' apart. I've always used a pull behind broadcast spinner spreader and never had a problem with stripping. I stepped up to the 3pt spreader when I got my JD 3520. I like the spreader, it seemed to operate smoothly.
Thanks.

The book says 23 to 54' granular spread. You will never reach that with grass seed! I would say no more then twenty and more then likely about 10 to 15' which proves closer to your results.

 

[allen in texas]

Its a straight line stripe in the direction that I traveled. I'll get some pics by tommorow.

Ok,
Here's my second theory...
My spreader is adjustable for both direction of throw, ie, left, center, or right, and for the quantity of material delivered. It accomplishes the direction of throw by changing where the material is dropped onto the slinger.
You may have your spread set to throw primarily to one direction or the other and that is what is causing the heavy overlap in the direction of your travel. You will always have 'some' overlap but I think if your spreader is adjustable for direction, that may be your problem. It's chunking everything to one side.

Think about it...
if your spreader is throwing primarily to the right, as you make a pass one direction you throw your fertilizer to the right and when you turn around at the end, to the right in my example, and you make another pass, You throw fertilizer to the right again which is where you just threw fertilizer on the last pass doubling up on the coverage and making a stripe when it all starts to grow.

clear as mud? :confused2: