DETERMINE THE SPEED OF APPLICATION AND AMOUNT OF PRODUCT TO APPLY.

Drop spreaders operate by “dropping” or distributing granular products via gravity flow between the wheels of the spreader as it is pushed or pulled across the turfgrass. The rate of application is controlled by the width of the opening at the bottom of the drop spreader and the walking speed of the applicator.

To calibrate a drop spreader, the operator must determine the amount of product or granular material that is dispersed per unit area at a specific spreader setting and constant speed. The operator that will make the actual application should be pushing the spreader or driving the tractor, etc. so that the speed during the actual application is the same as the speed used during the calibration.

Some drop spreaders have a calibration pan or tray that attaches beneath the opening at the bottom of the spreader. In this case, the operator simply connects the pan or tray to the spreader, fills the spreader with the actual granular product, and makes a pass over a given distance with the spreader open. The collected product in the pan or tray is then weighed. The rate of application per given area can then be calculated (amount of product collected per given distance) by dividing the amount of product collected by the given distance. This rate of application can then be easily converted to pounds product per 1,000 square feet or per acre.

In the absence of a calibration pan or tray, the operator must either collect the granular product over a clean surface such as plastic or concrete floor. The product can then be collected and weighed to determine the amount of product applied or the loss of weight from the spreader when making a pass over a given area.

AN ALTERNATIVE TO CALIBRATION BY PUSHING OR PULLING THE SPREADER.

Another method to calibrate a drop spreader does not involve pushing or pulling the spreader. Instead, the diameter of the wheel is measured in feet and the length or given distance then determined by the number of revolutions that the wheel is turned to collect the product. For example, the wheel diameter for a drop spreader was 2 feet and the width (swath) was 4 feet. Therefore, if the spreader wheels were turned for a total of 20 revolutions, then the distance would be 40 feet. The granular product can be collected while the wheels are being turned. Then, weigh the amount of product collected and calculate the rate of application over the given distance of 160 square feet (4 feet swath X 40 feet = 160 square feet).

TRIAL AND ERROR.

Calibration is a “trial and error” process and must be repeated until the desired results are obtained. If initially the spreader applies too much product, then the setting or opening is reduced and vice versa, if the setting applies too little product, then the setting or opening is increased.

Measurements required to calibrate a drop spreader include the distance the operator covers and the weight of the product applied. Obviously, a scale will be required to weigh the granular products.

Calculations should be kept simple and consistent to reduce the chances of inducing error. If the recommended rate for a given product is expressed in ounces per 1,000 square feet, then measure the required distance needed to provide 100 or 200 square feet for ease of conversion to 1,000 square feet. For example, if the spreader has a 3 feet width (swath), then measure 33 and 1/3 feet or 66 and 2/3 feet for 100 or 200 square feet, respectively. You can refer to the Table  below to determine the appropriate distance to measure for a given spreader width (swath).

Distance to measure to cover 100 square feet oir 1/100 of an Acre:

After several passes over the distance to establish a consistent and practical speed, load the spreader with the actual product to be applied and make a pass over the starting and ending lines that mark the distance. Be certain to travel at a consistent speed when crossing the starting and ending lines. Do not begin walking at the beginning line and stop at the ending line.

While walking at a constant speed, simply open the spreader at the beginning line and close the spreader at the end line. Collect the product during the pass from the calibration pan or tray or from the surface between the beginning and ending lines. Weigh the product in ounces or pounds. Use one of the following equations to calculate the rate of application and compare that to the targeted rate.

1:

2:

It is important to recognize that the operator must calibrate the spreader for each formulation or brand of granular product used. A different brand of 15-5-9 fertilizer may have granules of different particle sizing or density, thus requiring a different spreader setting.

The same calibration procedure is followed for rotary or centrifugal spreaders; however, it may be more convenient to weigh the product remaining in the spreader instead of trying to collect the widely dispersed product. Thus, the operator would weigh the product that was placed in the rotary spreader and subtract the product remaining in the spreader after a trial pass to determine the amount of product applied.