Scotts Elite Spreader REVIEW - “Best Spreader Ever?”

This is a review of the Scotts Elite Rotary Broadcast Spreader, which is marketed as "Scotts Best Spreader Ever." I picked it up when my Scotts DLX spreader broke just before my annual fall lawn renovation. The Elite is a big improvement over the DLX and Mini models given it's oversized hopper (20,000 ft of product), 10" no-flat, rubber wheels/tires, ergonomic handle, stainless steel agitator pins and axle, and [unnecessary] dual impeller design; however, it didn't hold up and the "true" EDGEGUARD mechanism malfunctioned leaving me questioning all of my applications. Also, the dial, which controls the drop rate, doesn't click in or line up with the marker. Calibration is set at the factory, and yet the chutes are fully closed when the dial is set below 2.5. Not even small granules of Scotts WinterGuard lawn food can pass through below 2.5. Ultimately, I decided this spread wasn't for me and I returned it to The Home Depot for a full refund. At a cost of $139 (the current price as of the posting of the video), Scotts needs to design a more durable and accurate spreader to accommodate their vast line of products. Not worth the $! #scotts #lawncare #homedepot
POINTS IN THE VIDEO
0:36 Features and Upgrades vs. DLX model
1:36 Why I will be returning this spreader - REASON #1 Price vs. Assembly and Quality
2:15 How to Clean It
2:28 The EDGEGUARD - REASON #2 See it in action!
3:42 REASON #3 - Calibration and Accuracy of Drop Rate
4:22 How To Test Calibration of a Lawn Spreader
4:35 Chute's Clogging and Stuck Open
4:45 Is this spreader right for your size lawn? Do you need a full sized spreader.
5:54 The Wrap Up Summary
6:46 Watch me fertilize 2,000 sq ft with the Elite Spreader (with final commentary).
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Products I used for testing the Elite spreader (and for reviving my summer lawn):
Jonathan Green Black Beauty Shady Nooks Grass Seed (for dense shaded areas)
Jonathan Green Black Beauty Full Sun
Jonathan Green Black Beauty Ultra Supreme Grass Seed
LESCO Starter Fertilizer 18-24-12
Greenview Seeding Success top dressing (I don't recommend!)
Milorganite (for calibration test)
SoilDoctoRX Pelletized Lawnlime (very messy!)
Scotts Turfbuilder Winterguard Fall Lawn Food

[@lopesphoto]

Thanks for the calibration chart this is helpful for a first timer

[@BruceAlanR]

You're welcome! 😃👍

[@Jasshands1]

It’s on sale here for 50 bucks. Glad I didn’t buy it. I guess I’ll keep saving for a echo

[@BruceAlanR]

$50? Wow! They must be trying to unload them. Ha!

[@Jasshands1]

@@BruceAlanR is it a good deal? i just have a hand spinner one from scotts,

[@BruceAlanR]

@@Jasshands1That’s an amazing price for the Elite. You can’t even buy the Scott’s DLX or mini for $50 where I live. Unfortunately, the Elite I got didn’t even last a single season. If I could buy the Elite for $50, I’d salvage the wheels and cables and put them on my DLX. 🤣

[@Jasshands1]

@@BruceAlanR i'm torn, i was going to go grab this elite for 50 and just mod it. Vs spending 5x on the echo. Is the echo 5x better than the elite?

[@BruceAlanR]

@@Jasshands1I don’t think the echo is 5x better. The Echo is less complicated (a single impeller like most spreaders) and more durable, but if you’re handy like me you can keep the Elite going. I really liked using the elite, but I wasn’t about to waste my time fixing a brand new, overpriced spreader. It was also too much spreader for our yard. I could probably get by with a mini or even a hand spreader, but I’ve been using my DLX for over a decade. 😂 I actually ended up repairing my DLX with things I had around the shop.

[@tedmiller2074]

When brand new it works great. However, give it a few months (uses) and be ready for trouble. On mine the edge guard system fell apart. It's been hosed out and dried after every use but the cheap plastic parts get sticky and became inoperable. Scott's cust. service said spray it with wd-40. Didn't help. This spreader is a piece of high-priced junk!

[@BruceAlanR]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. As I mentioned in the video, I returned the Elite shortly after the video was posted. As you experienced, the edgeguard mechanism fell apart and then the edgeguard cable got jammed inside the on/off slider box. It’s pathetic how poorly these spreaders are made and that Scotts doesn’t offer replacement parts. This past winter, I took apart and repaired my Edgeguard DLX. I’ll be posting a video on that soon. You may find the info helpful to repair the Elite since mechanically they’re similar and simple… they’re constructed like that board game Mousetrap. 🤣

[@tedmiller2074]

Since making my comments, I returned my spreader to the dealer and they swapped it for a new one. At the suggestion of a professional landscaper, I'm going to try a silicone spray (Blaster brand) on the control wires and plastic moving parts. My first Elite was one year old. Hopefully, better maintenance will keep the new one running. I especially like the larger wheels.