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.

The correct width between passes was about 40'-45' given the spread was about 50 feet for this spreader.

 

[fixit]

The correct width between passes was about 40'-45' given the spread was about 50 feet for this spreader.

Thats what i was thinking but i don't know to much about it but it sure sounded like the right ans to me

 

[art]

So then your saying that the amount you were spreading was to light other then where it was doubled?

 

[allen in texas]

So then your saying that the amount you were spreading was to light other then where it was doubled?

That came to my mind also.

 

[LHS Inc]

So then your saying that the amount you were spreading was to light other then where it was doubled?

What I'm saying is you try to lap so the ends of the throw pattern are just touching as they illustrate in the operation section of the manual. Thats what I was trying to do. The ends of the throw are light and when you combine the two passes together you should be close to the rest of the density of the spread. Its what I've always done with positve results and thats why I'm so puzzled. Maybe the throw ends aren't as light as other spreaders have been for me, I don't know.Stretch it out too far then you have skips. I'll reduce my rate and overlap completely and make more passes. I know one thing I'm going to try and not let it happen again. The main reason I got the spreader was to fill up once and go instead wasting time filling up numerous times with a tow behind hooked to a lawn mower. Hopefully I'll have some pics by this afternoon. Its been storming rain here right good today and when it lets up I'll head out.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Any way to tell , or maybe remember, about were you drove when you spread the fertilizer, if you could, that would tell you a bunch as to what the problem may be. whether it was to heavy in the center, or to heavy on the overlap.

 

[LHS Inc]

Any way to tell , or maybe remember, about were you drove when you spread the fertilizer, if you could, that would tell you a bunch as to what the problem may be. whether it was to heavy in the center, or to heavy on the overlap.

Thanks CB I thot of that too. I'm heading out to get some pics and try to measure off to just see what was happening. Keep a look out on this post for my pics this afternoon.

 

[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.

Here are the pics of my problem. When I started I followed the road ditch to get a straight line going and there is a strip down the edge of it and about 45'-50' over is another strip so that tells me that the spreader is throwing too much to the outside and not enough in the middle. That is the width of my traveling back and forth in the yard because the throw is about fifty feet. I'm sure there was over lap but the strip down the side of the road ditch without any overlap proves too much to the sides. Sorry I didn't take a picture of the ditch, I didn't figure it out until after I left the property. Hopefully I can get the spreader set correctly if that is what the problem is.

 

[arsenix2001]

Did you try checking the spread pattern with sand? I dont know the LP 1000 details, but my befco not only has fin adustments on the plate but also seperate L and R gate control adjustments... Maybe start there and watch the overlap.. Have someone watch you put it down and flag the end of the spread with those little landscaper flags? Just thinking out loud. You have me nervous about my unit now

 

[LHS Inc]

Did you try checking the spread pattern with sand? I dont know the LP 1000 details, but my befco not only has fin adustments on the plate but also seperate L and R gate control adjustments... Maybe start there and watch the overlap.. Have someone watch you put it down and flag the end of the spread with those little landscaper flags? Just thinking out loud. You have me nervous about my unit now

No I didn't check the spread pattern I didn't think I needed to. I just wanted to know how far it spread. The R and L gates were set to open the same amount at the same time. Didn't touch the fins because the manual says to adjust them to throw more right or left by placing in the four different holes. First hole throws more to the left and the forth hole throws more to the right. There are four holes so there's no middle range. Right now they are in the second hole which is more to the left. I re-traced my path and if I had strips every other pass I'd know it was the left side that needed adjusting but its not. I called the dealer and he didn't know whats going on. Like I said before I've always used a broadcast spreader and never had this problem before. I hope I've overlooked something very simple and I wouldn't be ashamed to admit it. I'll let you know if I find out what the problem is whether it equipment or operator error.