Scotts Drop Spreader Calibration

Calibrate your Scotts drop spreader for best results and a beautiful lawn

[@jackarent2080]

Much clearer than the official Scott’s calibration video, thanks!

[@unfaix]

Wow and less time than the official video...

[@steveabsalonson931]

Excellent demonstration!!. Good clear video and close-up where needed. Short, nothing long-winded and to the point

[@theprojectman1]

Funny thing. The pools of early morning caused by a neighbor's tree begged for a video so I figured my Scotts drop spreader was a good candidate. Had to do voice-over since there was construction nearby. Better birds chirping than nail guns. My target was 90 seconds. Thanks for your acknowledgement. As a product designer and writer of instructions I know there is a big need for improvement out there.

[@zemoglis7356]

A hell of a lot better explanation then the actual Scotts video below.
Quick and simple directions without all the Scotts BS.
Thanks!
How to Calibrate Your Scotts® Drop Spreader

[@theprojectman1]

Thank you. I am new to this but have always loved to explain things well. And as you might guess I take pride in our lawn and gardens. I could not use live audio since there was a lot of construction noises nearby. So a simple survey: Does the voice over audio work for you and other viewers? I produced my video because the Scotts one was, as you mentioned, heavy on the promotion and the presenter was a bit "chilly". There is a lot to be said for close ups....getting deep and up close to make it abundantly clear. It frustrates me that so many videos skip the close ups. It's so easy to do right. Thanks again for your support.

[@theprojectman1]

@A. V. The construction noise lasted 9 months. Did not want to wait to get this useful info into the pipeline. Sorry you found the voice over awkward.

[@lindakerr3305]

I think this is the best video by far for calibration. Having the voice over was not a problem, in fact I found the instructions so clear that I would be happy for all videos to be like this. I had such difficulty in finding one that showed the drop feeder clearly and seeing exactly where the calibration line should be was a big help. My markings are almost non-existent. Please keep up the good work, you’re doing great. Thank you.

[@meadowlarkgal23]

You are a rock star. This video has fantastic camera work and great lighting that show the marks on the spreader. Thank you so much.

[@peterwachter7753]

I’ve graduated from being a “Stone Head”. Finally! BTW, I have done very few videos but lots of instruction sheets for installing lighting products tailored for the Pro and the Weekend Warriors out there. My avowed conviction is that all “fluff” be excised from UA-cam videos. The more jabbering the less is learned and retained. Off to my Gee-tar lessons…

[@RastaGuy58]

Excellent. Clear concise and to the point. The close ups make things that much clearer. I was caught off guard by the voice over but in the end it didnt matter

[@sheilam547]

I wish had found your video first! I re-watched Scotts video over and over again and it just wasn't clear...what the heck was I lining up! I finally figured it out. Found your video afterwards which was a much better explanation. Beautiful lawn!!!

[@theprojectman]

Glad to be of some help. A lot of times the developers of products (industrial designers, engineers, product managers) are too "close" to the product and thus lose empathy for the end user. Such is life. Also, WAY TOO MANY UA-camrs do not take advantage of a good, well-lit CLOSEUP. Happy landscaping.

[@daved914]

Thank you. I was a bit confused just reading the instructions and even watching the Scotts video. Your video cleared it up for me.

[@JNiss]

much clearer than scott's video on the classic drop calibration. thank you!!!

[@BJTF3D]

MY MAN!!!! 🕺🏾🕺🏾🕺🏾🕺🏾 The instructions never stated what a proper calibration looks like so thank you.

[@nedar1]

This video was very helpful. No fluff, straight to the point. Thank you.

[@jl1966able]

Thanks a lot Peter! Appreciate the pragmatic approach! Great lawn by the way.

[@lindakerr3305]

Thank goodness, at long last I’ve found a clear and simple instruction video. My instruction booklet got damp and all the pages stuck together so I couldn’t find out how to calibrate the spreader. This has been so easy to do. The problem with my Scott’s Even Green is that the horizontal line on the green plastic is almost non-existent. This video showed me instantly what I needed to do. Thank you so much.

[@mattyburrows9059]

mine says evengreen too..is the setting 8 or 6..this video just says about the classic and the accugreen

[@lindakerr3305]

I set mine at 6. I used Scott’s professional spring and summer feed. I seem to remember though in a previous year having it at 8. This may be because I used either an autumn feed or a different make. It’s too much hassle to keep looking so I stick to Scott’s and keep it at 6 and my grass looks fine for it. Hope this helps.

[@lindakerr3305]

UPDATE - Look on website, garden4less.co.uk and you’ll find all the different Scott’s drop feeders and also the settings for the various feeds.

[@MHess125]

My Accugreen is so old, it doesn't have the notch for calibration. I called Scott's and they said at setting #6, a 9/64 drill bit should just fit through the top of the holes.

[@teresas4728]

That may be the problem with mine - can't find any markings anywhere.

[@suzmaca650]

Holy moly! You should make instruction video for everything under the sun…thanks a bunch!

[@simonrawles3919]

Simple and concise, I like it.

[@walkinlovefaith2304]

Very helpful. Actually showed the marks unlike the official video from seven years ago.

[@aeroliner750]

Thanks you just saved me $50

[@BuhlzI]

Exactly what I needed to know. Thank you

[@ispywithmyboomereye238]

Good job! I came here after Scotts' video, of course.

[@Kevin-mm6xm]

That's fine for basic setup, but real calibration requires that you know how much of a certain product gets dropped in 1000 sq ft. Last spring I did my back yard with my Accugreen 3000 I just calibrated using this method. I applied Scotts fertilizer using the recommended spreader setting and my 4,000 sq ft bag of fertilizer was gone before I finished my 2000 sq ft back yard! This year I weighed the product (Vigoro) using the recommended setting, 9.25, and instead of 4.8 ozs per 100 sq ft, I dropped 13.4 ozs per 100 sq ft, nearly 3x as much as needed! After some fine tuning, a setting of 7.5 dropped 5.02 ozs per 100 sq ft. I weighed out 2.8 lbs per 1000 sq ft, a total of 9.8 lbs for my 3482 sq ft yard, and when done I had 12 ozs left over! So take the time and calibrate any spreader. You can't rely on what settings they recommend.

[@blaiseducdaumont1280]

Thank you!

[@juliawebb8731]

Scots should pay you to do this .there vidio socks! And if you are 77 like me woman .this is super good explanation. I call them and gay was rude neversend me in email directions. Was on phone for 37 min
Then just hung up .I was so pist off was vredy to put it beck in box and send it beck
Thank you for helping all of us

[@theprojectman1]

You're welcome. Often tech support has never used the product. Same for product managers and marketing department. They need some "Lunch and Learns". Grill up some brats and burgers and give the product a test drive. Win-win. When learning is fun it "sticks".

[@cohall46]

This is 1000 times better that the one from Scotts.

[@Jerryswar]

I had no idea I had to calibrate, thank you sir!

[@user-ev5rj9tm6t]

Thank you Peter nicely explained

[@franksmith2911]

Scoots video is confusing??? Thank You for help i see the method clear now!

[@thediyandpianoguy8665]

Excellent!! Thanks.

[@RayRay-nn9wm]

Thanks for this video, very quick, simple, and clear instructions. The scotts video was horrible, and even after watching it over ten times it was still useless.

[@theprojectman1]

Glad it helped!

[@MucaroBoricua]

This dude is the best ventriloquist in the world.

[@sunnifreyer2759]

You should get paid by Scott for this vid -- you did fantastic in comparison to the company's vid tut. Thanks much!

[@theprojectman1]

I've made it abundantly clear to Scotts that I'd like to consult but corporate silos are often impenetrable. The payback for me is knowing I'm improving the user experience.

[@MichaelCampbell01]

Way better than the Scott's video. Thanks.

[@teresas4728]

Lovely, except my Scotts 1000 accugreen doesn't look like that. on the bottom. I see no green grooved line, and I don't have a raised ribbed area on the black part. Frustrating - everything else works right but I can't find those 2 lines to meet.

[@fisherh9111]

Excellent. Thank you Peter.

[@kansasgal2786]

I know I'm late to the party but great video. We have a metal Scotts Precision Drop Spreader. Wanted to make sure that proper calibration is 8. Thanks!

[@theprojectman]

You can't possibly be late. Lawns are year-round responsibilities. I can't find any info on your spreader. Sorry. If you don't mind taking a small gamble set it to the lower number, 6. Or even 5. You can always go back over your lawn in a pattern 90 degrees to the original pass. Most products are sold in 5,000 square foot bags. Figure out your area. Try doing a quarter in a less important area of the lawn and try to judge your consumption. If the bin level is dropping precipitously try pulling back a couple of settings. Some product like Scotts Step 4 are like mini moth balls. So I start out about 1.25 clicks down and as the smaller particles disappear the larger ones float to the top. We all know this handling stone, etc. To finally get rid of the larger "balls" you may have to open 'er up to about two clicks larger than recommended on the bag. What are you spreading soon/next and what is your area in square feet?

[@kansasgal2786]

@@theprojectman Thanks Peter for the info. I will be using Hummerts Step 4 Winterizer this month and Step 5 next month. We have not quite an acre so I purchase the larger bags.

[@guillaume95870]

Excellente vidéo courte et très claire !! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@jonathanvelazquez395]

Thanks Made it very easy

[@robertclever5352]

Thanks!!

[@cvx2dog549]

Good instructional video!

[@klaustzoca]

Super easy!

[@tonyc7352]

Thank you

[@theprojectman1]

You're welcome

[@Gizzard4400]

Pretty awesome last name

[@theprojectman1]

Not so shabby first name. Reflecting on your acquaintance will help guide me in the quest for brevity. Thanks.

[@stephenburks7895]

Thank you!!! Very informative!!

[@theprojectman1]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rok4277]

VERY USEFUL Thank you

[@AudioTones67]

Thank you, I had no idea that adjustment could be performed. (I'm wondering if the Australian drop spreader is the same as the US version).

[@theprojectman1]

Is your spreader made in the USA? If so, my guess is the product “metering” factors are the same. Of course you have seasonal factors that are 180 degrees off sync.

[@grasfarmrs2004]

what are the units of the scott's numbers?

[@SuperCymru]

The calibration is OK ..... and the video is good. What is needed though is a good list of settings for different products .... the book does not give much. Anybody have one ?

[@theprojectman]

As there are literally thousands of agricultural product available: consumer, pro landscaper, agricultural, a comprehensive manual for settings would be a daunting task. There are regional differences and even national ones like Mexico and Canada. Manufactures of chemical and spreaders seem to have gotten it into their heads during the last few years that the drop spreader is a dying breed. Myself and my friends with gardens disagree. You can't beat the precision that a drop spreader provides. Keep in mind that granule size will have a major impact on the flow dynamics of drop vs rotary spreaders. For instance on the Scott's drop spreader the product has to pass through a row of adjustable triangular holes that react differently to powders vs micro "moth balls". If your product does not list a drop spreader setting call the manufacturer and pressure them for an answer. Collectively we can inspire (or force) agri-chem makers to include drop spreader guidelines on each and every bag. If you Google this topic you will discover what I have.

[@gpkallday2284]

I have an older accugreen 1000 it doesnt have those markings🥴

[@BT-ADV]

What setting would u use for 50g per sq meter?
Cheers

[@theprojectman1]

Well, that would depend on the shape and size of the particles to be dispersed. Also relative humidity would play a role if the material were excessively hygroscopic. I would start at 0.01 and increase gradually from there depositing material on a roll of kraft paper and then weighing accordingly. LOL. You in Canada? Oh how I wish we went metric when Jimmy Carter suggested. We'd be well over the adjustment by now.

[@mattyburrows9059]

i live in the UK and mine says scotts evengreen lol..so god knows what model it is

[@theprojectman]

Better than un-evengreen. Maybe you Brits worry too much about confusion between deciduous and coniferous to trust a label that says EVERGREEN. Stay Even, Stay Calm.

[@theprojectman]

Courtesy of LINDA KERR, UK (below): UPDATE - Look on website, @t and you’ll find all the different Scott’s drop feeders and also the settings for the various feeds.

[@DevilsAdvocateMC]

Thanks. Scott's video was a joke!

[@jamesstewart2560]

I mean could have you have explained that any better ? The answer is no. Thanks !

[@theprojectman4996]

So it doesn't elude the next person I reply here to MHess125 comment, below. For those with spreaders with missing or with worn markings: The Scotts recommendation for calibrating at setting 6 using a 9/64" diameter drill bit (0.140", 3.5mm) that should just fit snugly in the triangular hole. Great technique. Right on the money. I've got a great photo that proves it but the platform does not allow still photos in the comments. Thanks MHess125.

[@rajkanwar7259]

Thank you

[@theprojectman]

You are quite welcome Raj.