Spreader Sprayer vs. Spreader

[ericinmich]

Here's a question that I couldn't find 'debated' in my search of history...

I’m debating the purchase of a sprayer vs. spreader for maintenance on my 2+ acres of new lawn that has 4 week old grass growing (somewhat). Either would be 3pt mounted, PTO driven which I think is the best bet for my TC29D.

The pro’s of spreader:
- Can spread fertilizer, weed killer, seed (after aerating, etc)
- Throws material further, but with probably less uniformity

The pros’s of a sprayer
- Can spread fertilizer, weed killer (but no seeding)
- More uniform coverage (but with more exact driving around trees, etc)
- ?? Better for brush control??

What I don’t know is which would be more econimacle to spread fertilizer, etc…

Thanks in advance for any comments,
Eric

 

[hobbyfarm]

Boy,
Talk about an apples and oranges comparison. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
(especially if that orange is an orange dyed kiwi fruit!)

 

[Soundguy]

SPREADER!!!

There's tons of different types of soil amendments.. lime.. iron.. magnesium.. etc. Most of these come peletized.. granular or powder. Some may come as liquid.. but most won't

A spreader spreads pretty uniform in my opinion.

I have a cheapy spreader for my old 8n.. lots of weld repairs.. looks like ****.. but it absolutely invaluable.

If i want a sprayer.. I can buy a pump (electric is easy.. ), a 55g drul and some hose and pvc pipe... and make one.. besides.. TSC and HF sell a 15 gallon electric spray rig for 75$.. easy to plop that in a garden cart and tow.. or drop it on a box blade or pallet carrier and go... the spreader ont he other hand may set you back 300$+ easy.. but it is well worth it. Course.. with only 2ac.. it may not be as 'worth' it for you.. but I have 13ac to fertalize and seed.. etc.

Soundguy
Soundguy

 

[Tim_in_IA]

Can you spread powder or does it just stick? Never thought of using one of these for powder. That would be great.

more specifically, I was thinking of spreading the Diatomaceous Earth. Could a spreader do that? (very fine powder)

 

[hobbyfarm]

Tim_in_IA,
Usually for powders to spread right, there has to be some type of blower to propel the product uniformly. Also, to keep the product flowing and prevent clumping, there is usually some type of agitator.
Example: <font color="brown">Air-O-Fan's Trail Duster</font>

 

[Tim_in_IA]

hobbyfarm, thanks for the link. That blower looks like my wood chipper with benefits, so I am betting they want some $$$ for it. I'll have to look around if I get serious about that project.

I had a feeling that the powder would clump but I just wasnt sure as I had never tried it. the only spreader I've used is an old end gate seeder.

thanks,

 

[Soundguy]

Yep.. you have to have a serious agitator that prevents clumping over the feed hole ont he broadcast spreaders. There are some out there with decent agitators..

Soundguy

 

[KennedyDiesel]

I'm building a sprayer as most of my use is for weed/fertilizer application. While Scott's Weed and Feed does well, it's tough to time when the grass is wet enough and even then a lot of the granules just fall off.

For spreading I have a large walk behind unit and a small Earth Way handheld unit that can be VERY handy...

 

[OkieG]

I took the easy way out and have one of each. The spreader is used for pelletized fertilizer, though is can spread all sorts of treatments, as Soundguy mentioned.
The sprayer is used for Round-up, pre emergent, and broadleaf liquid chemicals.

Your question was which is most economical. Assuming you could find all the treatments you wanted in either spreadable or sprayable form, it still might be cheapest in the long run to have both a spreader and a sprayer.
Chemicals to treat your 2+ acres of property are not cheap. If you save a few dollars on the liquid here, and a few dollars on the pellets there, it will add up. If there is a choice, buy which ever version (liquid or pellets) is most economical and your savings will pay for the additional implement before you know it.

The other issue Soundguy alluded to is that you may not be able to find all the treatments you want in just liquid or just pellet form.

OkieG

 

[bigpete]

Just like OkieG says, both are invaluable. I broadcast fertilizer, pre-emergent, and lime. I spray for broadleaf weeds and pests in both turf and trees.

If you can only afford one, save up and get both. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[kingoflawns]

Demco makes nice 3 pt pto sprayers and sitrex pto spreaders are the best we have found, lawn care being our primary business. Dont buy a landpride spreader, they rot out very fast! I don't have any beef with landpride, we use their york rakes,rotary cutters and quickhitch.

 

[Junkman]

I have a tow behind Sitrex spreader and it started to rust badly after the first year. The rust got under the powder coat and took it off. By the second year, it was all but unusable. I washed it after every use, blew it dry with compressed air and then sprayed it down with oil, all to no avail. Fertilizers and steel are a combination that just don't mix, no matter how well you care for the equipment. Plastic and Stainless Steel are the only answer in my opinion...

 

[JWE]

I had a drop spreader for many years and then I bought a 25 gallon Fimco a few months ago. In the future, I will be using the sprayer if at all possible. It applies fertilizer and weed killers much more evenly. My property is on a hillside and is loaded with shrubs, gardens and flower beds. It was very difficult with the drop spreader to get even coverage with all of the turns and hillsides. With the sprayer I turn it on and off with a switch so I have better control. I mix a marker dye with the spray so I can see where I missed. I use the wand to touch up the areas that I missed.

I still have the drop spreader and will use it for spreading granular lime in the fall. For me, the sprayer wins "hands down".

John