Compared with a rotary (broadcast) spreader, a drop spreader:
- Covers a large area in much less time
- Throws granules outward in a wide, tapered arc
- Places granules precisely between its wheels
- Needs each pass overlapped by half
Show the answer
C. Places granules precisely between its wheels
A drop spreader meters granules straight down across its hopper width, giving precise edges next to beds and walks, but it is slow and any gap or overlap shows as a stripe. Wide tapered patterns belong to rotary spreaders.
Reference: Ornamental and turf category manual: calibration and application
A good way to reduce striping when applying granules with a rotary spreader is to:
- Double the walking speed on every pass
- Apply half the rate in each of two directions
- Open the gate fully and make one single fast pass
- Spread only when the turf is wet
Show the answer
B. Apply half the rate in each of two directions
Splitting the rate and making two passes at right angles evens out pattern flaws and operator error. Changing speed or opening the gate changes the rate applied but does not make the pattern more uniform.
Reference: Ornamental and turf category manual: calibration and application
A spreader that was calibrated for one granular product must be recalibrated for a new product mainly because:
- The new label will state a different signal word
- The hopper holds less of a new product
- Different products require different speeds
- Granule size and density change the flow rate
Show the answer
D. Granule size and density change the flow rate
Flow through the gate and the distance granules are thrown depend on particle size, shape and density. The same setting can deliver a very different rate and swath width with another product.
Reference: Ornamental and turf category manual: calibration and application