Learning To Use A Drop Spreader :: Scotts Classic Drop Settings
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- Опубліковано 14 січ 2023
- Drop spreader calibration.
Setting for Yard Mastery Fertilizers, Scotts Classic Drop Spreader: 7
Hope for the best!
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Back in the olden days scotts drop spreader didn't have a shut off but anyway we used to stick a long screw driver in the lawn so we could see where when we couldn't see the wheel marks. But we don't use weed and feed anymore and don't need to worry about getting it on shrubs because us smart dude spot spray weeds if we even have them since out turf is so thick THICC
As someone who lives in the Chicagoland area, I always appreciate "Two, tree weeks" and the pronunciation of "classic." Love the channel and appreciate the expertise of Northern lawns. Some other channels talk about northern lawn care in a theoretical sense, but I'm glad to hear from someone who has *actually* worked with it!
The Yard Works brand carried by Menards actually has a GREAT drop spreader with pneumatic wheels. The thing is built like a tank works like a charm!
I appreciate your frustration with this spreader. I've had similar challenges with mine. As in your video, the products I use sometimes have variable size pellets, so I set mine to allow the largest to pass through, as you did. To verify, I marked off and fertilized a 1,000 sq ft section of my driveway. The rate was close to the spreader setting. Yes, it is hard to see the wheel marks, so I made a pair of ski pole-style harpoons I use as a guide, moving each over one spreader width, with each pass; surprisingly accurate. My yard is not rectangular and there are many flower beds and trees in the lawn. I like the idea of a broadcast spreader, but with all the interference in my lawn I imagine broadcasting would be hard to place product evenly. BTW, I swept up and reused the driveway fertilizer, so there was no waste or risk of burning.
Weed and Feed. Always apply with drop spreader so you aren't killing your flowerbeds with the broadleaf weed killer spraying all over the place. The Scott's Turf Builder weed and feed states #6 setting.
WOW!!! I just bought on and I'm going to return it ASAP!!!
Thanks for the great guide video!!!
R.S.
Funny video. I have used a scotts classic spreader for more than 12 years on a 4000 sq ft. St. Augustine lawn. I have applied Propeat ferts, Scotts ferts, Scotts herbicides, Scotts fungicides, Sunniland professional ferts, Bayer advanced herbicides, Milorganite and Yard mastery Biocharken,…. This drop spreader is more art than science. Since I have done a lot of trial and error to determine proper application rates, it’s relatively easy to use at this point and I dont get striping. Since I have used it so much I make application rate guesses based on prill sizes and compare to other products prills where I have figured out appropriate app rates. I’m glad you did this video because I have a 45 lb bag of Yard Mastery stress blend that I need to apply and I’m going to use your 7 setting as a starting point. I’m glad I dont have to figure out another application rate.
My lawn is 4K sq ft, but it is choppy with small areas intersected by walkways, drive ways and patios so I never invested in a broadcast spreader. What is your thoughts about using a broadcast spreader on all these small segments of lawn compared to a drop spreader.
I'm going to take a Dramamine tablet after watching that camera work.
I understand what you're saying...using the drop spreader on tall fescue works well for me. You can see the tire marks fairly easy and never get lawn stripes. But good looking out on the setting recommendation of 7. I have a whole bag of flagship and was reluctant to use it because of that reason. I needed that info. 👍
The innuendo drops were priceless!!!!!!!
You are wonderful! Thanks for the information and especially the laughs!
I like drop spreaders because it's less of a clean up and more control over where everything goes. Never had a problem after converting to using a drop spreader. There are many products with drop spreader settings on their website.
Saved the day! I about threw this thing away, I have a small yard so I’m going to stick with it this season. But a regular spreader sounds more convenient. Thanks man!
Nice idea on the bucket markings.
Allyn no matter what.....being on your lawn is always fun........WE NEED A FULL LAWN MOW WITH JUST MUSIC in the LCN's Lawn!!!!!! ENJOY THE MOW and then a chill beer & stogie after!
good idea!
Missed the LCN videos, happy to see Allyn back
Thanks! Great to be getting back in the groove.
I have a drop speader, but I only use it for my domination property line. 😆 Thank you for the video.
Do a couple of 30 ft passes on your sidewalk. 20in drop x 60ft = 100 sq ft. Weigh how much is left in the hopper, adjust opening, repeat till you figure it out the proper setting. Sweep it up, put it in the hopper, apply to the lawn. You definitely don't need to apply the product trial and error at the wrong rate on your lawn.
One suggestion that you might want to use a drop spreader for is the trim pass around the perimeter and beds of your property. One pass ought to do it, but some people may want another pass on the inside of the initial pass. Use a rotary spreader for the rest of your property.
Lol this is exactly why I searched, the fertilizer with iron is all over my side walk even after blow it back to the grass
I burst out laughing with the "69 inverted position". Thanks for sharing Allyn. Good suggestions on possible uses for this drop-dropper. However, I will stick with my spreader. Thanks again (and Happy New Year too!!!).
I would have thought this was funny when I was 15 years old, but at 75 years of age and having had my fill of vulgarity a very long time ago it is another story altogether. I stopped watching the video immediately upon hearing this. I expected better from a supposedly mature man who might have daughters and granddaughters who would be watching this.
CLASSIC Lawncare nut video lolo. I've had Scotts spreader an dumped it quick. Bought a Brinly broadcast spreader and LOVE IT. No micrometer either lololo just an accurate solid rod. Whats with that 6 inch off tire row setting???
I needed a good laugh today. THANKS for all your video's.
Anthony
😂😅
I agree with 5stardave. I’ve used drop spreaders since I was a kid and done well with them. Frustrated by lack of info on other products giving no settings for the drop spreaders I gave in and threw down $174 for the RB60. Hope it doesn’t disappoint.
I have this one! Raised Pointer LMAO Thank you so much!
You are on fire Allyn.......Satisfaction!
thanks bro! having fun in 2023!
Drop Spreader, used a marker to write the setting I need on the hopper for the products I always use along with the size of granules. I use a real Micrometer to measure a product size. No lessons and Never burned a lawn, dominating the hood like I should.
I do like drop droppers for outlining or “ cutting in” to use a painting term an area I’m seeding
Loved it, you're a funny guy😅
I just gave up drop spreaders this spring. The Scotts drop sucks, mine would never stay calibrated. The big problem is the cable used for open-close. I finally gave up on the drop droppers after almost 40 years! My first time with a broadcast was this spring. Scared at first, but settled down and figured them out. No problems after 4 times so far. Welcome to the flinging of the fert, lol!
Lol sometimes you say tree sometime you say three 😊 i love it!
I've only used drop spreader for seeding with great results. I think the only use for a drop is where you have small tight lawn area with obstacles.
with a lesco spreader,,do you over lap the last wheel mark,,or do you just try and get to over lap where the chemical was last thrown?
The DOMINATION LINE!!!!!! Yep, I'm not giving it away now!!!😂😅
We only use drop spreader gandys. When overseeding in the winter in warm season. Tee boxes. Bunker surrounds and green’s complexes. The gandy drop spreader has been my favorite to use. When overseeding certain surfaces. Thanks allyn for your help
Do Gandy's have an option of a drop pan?
My memory is not good but one maker has a pan you can dispense into and then easily weigh to find your rate.
Stiff pointer was my nickname in college 😂❤
Drop spreader great for seeding where you dont really care about extra seed been down, I wouldnt run fert in one I have the same dail setting on my broadcast spreader and it's one of those things just set it low and go over twice abit left pick it up and throw it around
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 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 just 12 ozs left over! So take the time and calibrate any spreader. You can't rely on what settings they recommend.
Haha. Super spreader. My next door neighbor uses this…but he also just uses Scott’s products. I’ll stick with my Echo RB-60!
yeah me too!
I have a degree in turfgrass and entomology from umass. Been managing pga championship golf course either building them from the ground up to managing all types of cool and warm season grasses on a tv seen level. U have great knowledge. A big heart. Great personality thanks for helping the turf community. I live in massachusetts and I’ve been around turf 28 years. I’ve tried ur granular ferts. Great products!!!!! Love to get some stickers. Shirts etc for my son. Dad etc
Thank you! I'd be happy to send you guys some stickers - email me allyn@thelawncarenut.com
I bought a Scott's drop spreader years ago. My lawn at the time was severely sloped where no part of it was flat. I think I used it once. It was a disaster. I couldn't get it to drop evenly when the spreader was tilted to the side. I also could not make a straight pass anywhere in that yard. (BTW, I hated that yard. )
The only thing I think a drop spreader would be good for is putting down pulverized/powdered lime. But, I use pelletized lime, so that's not an issue.
I now have a much more square and flatter lawn and the Echo broadcast spreader. I can load that thing up with pelletized lime or Milorganite and throw 'er down!!! It's a much better experience.
I have a yard with a hill and use a drop spreader. The secret is to walk up and down the hill, because otherwise (as you described) if the hopper gets low on the product being applied then the high side of the spreader will have parts where there is no product being dropped.
@@stevebabiak6997 I got rid of the sloped yard, the drop spreader, and the wife who talked me into the house with the sloped yard.
I'm much happier with the new house, the flat yard, the Echo broadcast spreader, and being single.
I use a drop spreader the owners of our previous house left for salting the driveway in winter!
that sounds like a good use of it too!
Yardmastery fertilizers have larger granules and do cause some jamming in the bottom of my drop spreader just like this one. All of the Scott's products have worked without jamming the mechanism up. Thanks for the tip on calibration!
Back in the day when I first started fertilizer I had a drop spreader only problem I had with it was my grass would be to tall
Tall grass that is also moist will lead to the product forming a blockage at the openings at the bottom.
My yard is not flat, it’s bumpy, and has hills. My rotary spreader just isn’t consistent when dealing with those things. I am trying a drop spreader to see if it helps.
The Raised Pointer... LOL 😂
Thumbs up for the super spreader joke.
I exclusively use my drop dropper for seeding to hopefully get a uniform distribution and keep the seed in my yard and out of places it shouldn’t be.
for sure I can see it working well for seed.
I use it for the same, mostly when seeding up against a flower/mulch bed so that I don’t plant seed where it doesn’t belong!
I've used drop spreaders for 40 years. Never had an issue. The wheels are offset from the drop, that's why the arrow is that far inside.
On the Scotts one here, it drops a full 22" wide. So the 6" overlap doesn't make sense to me. But again, I have never used one before so I'm learning too.
@@Thelawncarenut it drops the full width of the bucket, yes. But the wheels are attached to the side of the bucket. It is not dropping where the wheels run.
A lot of brands I've used do list this spreader on the bag, or I was able to find it online. I've used mine for about 10 years. I do agree with synthetic fertilizer that uses a smaller opening, the shut off isn't great, but it works pretty well with milo. Took me a few applications to get the setting exactly right but once I did it's been great.
I found that the broadcast spreaders wasted too much material / caused over application in my yard. My entire lawn is just over 5,000 sqft with trees to go around so very hard not to have a lot of overlap. This spreader does offer me more control.
I feel like seeding or thin parkways are the only place this has an advantage, but for my money, I’d just prefer to use a small hand-crank spreader that takes up less space in my shed and I don’t have to fiddle around with as much.
Actually, this last season I found myself using the small hand spreader more often than my Lesco spreader. With only 4500 sq feet, it seems easier to use the small cheap one (especially around flower beds, the sidewalk, etc.)
Dropping pulverized lime is another application where a drop spreader is the spreader of choice.
Just purchased mine and had a raised eyebrow with the whole calibration effort. I was able to lay down limestone with 8 and it did well. I had to lol when you said you couldn't see anything. Same here. Super frustrating. It seemed to disappear into the lawn which made it that much more complicated. The most frustrating part of this (considering the price tag) was the fact that it spills all over the place in the stationary position or when moving without depressing the trigger. What the hell is that about? I had to load the material into the hopper while on the grass huffing my bag of limestone out to the front yard.
What setting should be used for just overseeding???
well there is something to say.. i saw few videos and you must cross your lines.. and every turf has his own settings because of the size.., i used to prepare setting with blanket where i walked 2m.. around 1m2 and than i put the turf on a weight and thats how i get the information abou how many g iam gonna need for 1m2. And if you have a bigger yard you have to spit it in to smaller ones. and then you wont be misscrossing your lines..
I only use it for grass seed. Works well for me.
I agree for seed it's a great choice for sure.
Drop spreaders are almost required for WEED&Feed style fertilizers. Broadcast spreaders throw the weed killer powder too high for a consistent coverage UNLESS the wind is COMPLETELY calm. But that is rare. Even when the wind is calm you will still sometimes see the weed powder drift in the air slightly. So, for consistent weed coverage you need to use the Drop style spreader. I use drop for Weed&Feed fertilizer and Broadcast style for plain fertilizer.
How about wider big spot spreder. Have same problem?
The Scotts Triple Action fertilizer say to use a setting of 6 for the drop spreader.
I use a drop spreader because of odd angles in my yard. I like that I have more control over where the product goes. However, I too struggle with getting the right amount of product down. I run into the same problem as you do with coming up short despite being calibrated. When I use Flagship I'm actually at setting 4 on the old micrometer.
I do like it for the park strips and I'm just going to hope for the best ha ha!!
@@Thelawncarenut I'll be down in Lakeland Ranch again for golf next month. Let's get the weather warmed up before I get there.
With all the recent LCN spreader talk, when is Yard Mastery coming out with the perfect broadcast spreader? You can take the positives of each spreader currently available and make the perfect budget spreader for around $120-150.
I've been looking into it but everything affordably in reach for me is made in China. Not ideal for a new project these days.
Anyone know which one is the Scott’s R8A? Can’t really find any pictures
how do you set your lesco spreader to a different setting?
Super spreader 😄
was also my nickname in college!
Nice music 💯💪
Allyn,
My ProVista has gone almost completely dormant in North Florida. Is this normal? My Floratam is still green.
yep, it's normal. It will be very slow to come out of dormancy as well so be patient. You can blast it with Flagship to help once things warm back up
Come on summer... although, ice fishing has been great this year in Utah.
I got introduced to the concept of the "ice house" and that changed my view of ice fishing 😂
The 5 inches at the arrow covers the space between wheels and edge of the drop holes, you are not down to 13 inches. Counterintuitive, but you are losing very little to overlap.
My Scott’s Acugreen drop spreader does not have any type of marker for calculating the calibration of my spreader. The black bar on the bottom has no raised indicator line at all. It’s old but I need to calibrate it. Any ideas?
using a granular fertilizer that won't born if overapplied, you can do a test run on your lawn. Check the products lbs/sf application rate, put in a measured amount that gives you an even fill in the bottom of the hopper, and start walking. Stop as soon as the hopper is empty, measure the distance covered, and calculate the square feet, and square feet per pound that was applied. Use a permanent marker to mark the position and the application rate. If this wasn't the setting you needed, adjust the opening and repeat. If you don't have a large enough lawn to do multiple passes on, you can do the same exercise on a long stretch of sidewalk or driveway, and sweep up the product when you're done.
What does the speed of pushing a drop dropper have to do with the amount of fert or any product being dropped? Sure, the mechanism pushing the product out the little holes turns faster laying more product per unit of time, but the density (amount/quantity) of product remains the same per distance traveled regardless of the speed. I understand speed with a broadcast spreader because the faster you go the further. the product is pushed (flung/thrown) out away from the broadcast mechanism.
as I understand it, the fert just drops via gravity. The "auger" isn't there to push fert through holes, it's just there to keep fert flowing. Same as an agitator does in a broadcast spreader.
i HAVE THAT EXACT SAME SPREADER. i HATE IT! I bought it because its what my dad used. His had chalk cups on both sides that you would drop some chalk...maybe it was lime...to let you know where your tire was. Ill have to watch your video on other types of spreaders, although im currently paying a company to fertilize it. Dont like them either, they seem to spray water because I see no difference after treatment.
6 Inches of overlap was my nickname in college
nice! 😂
I have a metal vintage Scott’s drop spreader. So much easier than this thing from 70s-80-s still works like new
Now that sounds pretty cool. Much better quality too.
I had one too that broke about 6 years ago - the newer ones don’t really measure up although I did finally get used to it.
Looking forward to which section of your yard winds up with stripes like a circus 🎪!!
Me too! It's been cold so it won't start really growing again for a couple weeks. Then we will know! 😬
The big problem with those is if you're going to use organic products they have a tendency of gumming up and clogging up if any product has any kind of moisture in it you might as well forget about. The spreaders seem to definitely be intended for synthetic products.
yeah I agree. I think grass seed would be the best use.
Ewwwww I like that......PARKWAY!!!!!! Always wondered what you would call that small lawn strip.
Allyn if you ever lose your business you could always make it as a super model! 😂 you really look like Clark Kent you’ve slimmed down so much!!
for everyone's sake, let's hope I don't lose my business ha ha!!!!!
Why would walking speed matter? The drop only occurs when the wheels move. It's not like the dropping is motorized at a constant speed. Because you push the spreader, the drop goes down only when you move it. Fast or slow, the drop is synchronized with your walking speed, no?
On a drop spreader, yes it is the same regardless because it has fingers that feed it through at a set interval. With the rotary, which he is used too, if you walk faster the disc spins faster and the inertia flings it farther, so walking speed can make at least some difference.
The only possible exception is if the hopper is very full and the spreader is left completely stationary and in the open position; gravity will allow product to drop excessively in that set of circumstances.
Stiffy……..pointer. 😎
I struggle with regular spreaders.... I ALWAYS leave stripes
Guess I'm not investing in one of those next year 🤦🏽♂️
Is the stiff pointer the same as a raised pointer as a micro-meter? It's so confusing. Why da heck doesn't Scott's calibrate these in shop? I'm all in with a rotary. Drop spreader is only good for seeding around beds.
I'm sure they all get made the same way from the beginning but being shipped on trucks and stored stacked on top of one another means when you get it home, you need a point of reference to ensure you're still good. The stiff pointed in that point of reference. Better than nothing I guess lol.
Wow been a while
I used a drop spreader for the first time when over seeding this year, and it gave me about 3 weeks of worrying if I killed my lawn/seed.
Does a great job dropping seed, but I tried putting down Scott's starter with meso, and it severely over applied following the recommended settings.
Never again
It doesn't matter how fast or slow you walk, the wheels are going to make the same amount of revolutions either way. The reason that you were left with fertilizer in the hopper is because you had too much of an overlap.
You just need a better quality drop spreader like the Anderson's. It is interesting that on the Anderson's website it only shows application to a golf green.
I would love to try one to see what makes it better.
@@Thelawncarenut Based on the pictures it looks like the metering system is more accurate. $1500 for a spreader (or more) makes the $80 Scotts seem like a bargain. It's twice as much as I paid for my Andersons 2000 SR rotary spreader. It seems like a specialty tool that you only need it if you know you need it.
Does anyone actually make a premium/precision drop spreader where calibration is reliable?
I'm not sure on that one. I bet it would be expensive though.
Lol “super speader” 😂
Used Yard Mastery product today and had this exact same problem. I kept coming up short. It’s a terrible spreader.
So, you're saying throw er down and hope for the best?
Drop spreaders are the devils work! Allyn you been losing some weight, looking good bruh
thanks bro!
Hurray I'm first commenter and first liker. First time ever.
Pretty close! Maybe second 😁
This drop spreader looks like a great idea for seeding, fertilizers I don’t think so..
Wow, for nearly $100...I guess mine is going back
I bought a drop spreader from Menards a few years back, not the Scott's, but the Menard's brad. It was metal and heavy-duty feeling as opposed to the cheap-feeling Scott's. Well on my second use, something just snapped while I was walking, have no idea what, and it stopped spreading. What a piece of junk. Bought it for seeding only, but I get by now without one. Kind of a waste of space for not really a great product.
Hair is stylin'.
Thanks!
I always thought drop spreaders were meant more for seeding and not fertilizing. I’ve never seen someone actually use it for the latter personally
we get inquiries quite often for settings. I always try to steer people to broadcast though.
@@Thelawncarenut interesting. I own one just for seeding and even that I can barely get right when it comes to dialing it in properly. Couldn’t imagine trying to accurately spread fert with it without burning the lawn or having some serious streaking
I can't speak for the next guy. But when I'm seeding, I want to spread my seed everywhere. Especially where it's not supposed to be.
I feel that.
I got suckered into one of these spreaders. The calibration is absolute garbage. Since I have it, I use it only for seed and calibration is done with a screw holding the gate open. At least it's consistent. He's right. $90 POS.
supposed to over lap wheel marks wiith a drop spreader
I can't use a drop spreader without ending up with a striped lawn
yeah I could see that being a real issue.
129 plus Justin's 13% comes to 145 bucks in Canada...WTF??
I’ve made some nice stripes with a drop spreader. Oops
I may have the same issue - will know in about 2 weeks when it warms up and the lawn starts growing again.
I'm pretty sure the overlap is done because one pass with this won't cover enough. You're not putting down more product than you need to.