Lawn spreader that doesn't ****

[Compressor]

Looking for a lawn spreader that is accurate and durable for fertalizer, etc (not for spreading salt in winter). I have had Scotts, Earthway, just not loving them and having a difficult time getting even spreading.

Willing to spend some $ get a good one that will last a while.

Any suggestions (links appreciated!)

 

[jl4c]

Drop spreader or broadcast? Large area or small?

Will you be spreading fertilizer only or in conjunction with a weed control product?

 

[gungatim]

IMO they all ****. best luck I've had is with a towable broadcast type with a little modification of the spinner wire and not overloading it...

 

[StealthM8]

Fought the whirly style for a few years and switched to a Scott's drop spreader.... That is what you seek for accuracy, the trade off is speed.

 

[rlitman]

Fought the whirly style for a few years and switched to a Scott's drop spreader.... That is what you seek for accuracy, the trade off is speed.

And I'd suggest the exact opposite. Drop spreaders are what cause lawns to look stripey in a bad way. You get more even spreading from overlapping broadcast spreader trips.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

I had an Earthway for quite a few years and it worked okay. I gave it to my son for his new house and then did some research and bought a Spyker S60-8020 which has worked awesome for me. Here is the link to their website... http://www.spyker.com/

 

[jshillin]

I used a drop spreader and hated it, so I got rid of it. I have an earthway tow behind broadcast spreader now and it's OK at best. I got so aggravated with it that I just started paying a lawn service to come 4 times a year for treatments. In the end, I found out it was cheaper for me to pay them to do it then do it myself.

 

[larry_g]

http://www.wikco.com/herdspreaders.html

Herd has been in the business for many years. I have one that I inherited and can still get parts for.

It would help if you gave out a bit more information as to size of lawn and the size of tractor you can hang it on.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Compressor]

Thanks for answers. I am the tractor so I am looking for a push spreader (walk behind).

I spread
fertalizer
grub control
lime
crabgrass preventer

I use different products but they are all pellets or granular. About 1/4 acre, not huge. Just trying to get proper application and about ready to hire someone to apply it as mentioned so it is so annoying.

 

[canuckian]

I've heard good things about Shindaiwa broadcast spreaders. Agri-fab is quite popular around here as well. The last push spreader I had was one of the larger Scotts ones. Not bad for what it was but it was still a pain to use. It was that one that motivated me to buy a tractor mounted one. I'll never go back.

 

[trashmanssd]

I used a drop spreader and hated it, so I got rid of it. I have an earthway tow behind broadcast spreader now and it's OK at best. I got so aggravated with it that I just started paying a lawn service to come 4 times a year for treatments. In the end, I found out it was cheaper for me to pay them to do it then do it myself.

Same here, I gave up cutting and fertilizing the lawn to the pro's. Fertilizing was a no brainer for me I was spending around 300$ of fertilizer and I pay them 450$ to do 5 treatments a year. The mowing part well I have very few day lite ours I am not at work and I was sick of wasting 2 of them mowing the lawn. Wife thought I was crazy wanting to hire both out so about 10 years ago I just stopped doing it, turned off sprinklers stopped feeding and only needed a mowing every 3-4 weeks. She said lawn looks like **** I said yes it does, she asked what happened I said I stopped doing it. She said I will do it then so for about 3 months I told her when and what it needed and after that she agreed we need to hire someone that the lawns a PIA.

 

[jshillin]

Same here, I gave up cutting and fertilizing the lawn to the pro's. Fertilizing was a no brainer for me I was spending around 300$ of fertilizer and I pay them 450$ to do 5 treatments a year. The mowing part well I have very few day lite ours I am not at work and I was sick of wasting 2 of them mowing the lawn. Wife thought I was crazy wanting to hire both out so about 10 years ago I just stopped doing it, turned off sprinklers stopped feeding and only needed a mowing every 3-4 weeks. She said lawn looks like **** I said yes it does, she asked what happened I said I stopped doing it. She said I will do it then so for about 3 months I told her when and what it needed and after that she agreed we need to hire someone that the lawns a PIA.

I still do the mowing, but I enjoy that part. Some stress free seat time and exercise walking around running the weedeater. I pay $160 for 4 treatments each year, crabgrass pre-emergent & fertilizer, weed & feed, grub control & fertilizer and then another weed & feed. Lawn looks great, no weeds and no more damn grubs!!

 

[StealthM8]

And I'd suggest the exact opposite. Drop spreaders are what cause lawns to look stripey in a bad way. You get more even spreading from overlapping broadcast spreader trips.

Grew up on farm so keeping overlap on previous wheel tracks in the grass is easy. Although autosteer would be really nice on the lawn tractor and then do a pull behind broadcast spreader.

 

[matt_m]

deleted

 

[kctyphoon]

Drop seed is the most accurate, buy takes longer to use. Broadcast is mainly for larger areas, and accuracy is your best guess.. I don't have a big yard at all, so I have the Scott's drop seed spreader. It's annoying, yes, but it doesn't take THAT long for me and I'm not wasting product all over the sidewalks, or putting more down than I should guessing at where to make passes.. also not dropping anything on my neighbors weed patch that is connected to my lawn.. as generous as he is to share all his weeds that I need to fight off every year, I'm not inclined to throw any fertilizer down for him..

I had Scott's chemical service for like 2 or 3 years and it was a complete sham.. I'd put seed down where I needed it, their expert would come buy and kill it.. the last straw was when they just left a bill on my door for doing core aeration and seeding, without ever actually doing that - and exactly what they "forgot" to do the last two season also.. without that, there is really no point to a chemical service..

 

[gdocktor3]

How could you not like Scotts with this guy?

 

[jonshonda]

I have a large earthway with pneumatic tires that I like. I make sure that I wash the spreader after each use and it still looks new. Handles 50lb loads with ease.

I use LESCO fertilizer and they have their own line of spreaders which are for commercial use. Might want to check them out

 

[Motown]

I have an older stainless steel Spyker. Very well built. Only problem with is if you use Scott's products you have to calculate the settings. The Scott"s bag settings are for their spreaders, only.

 

[niget2002]

I've been using a service for a few years now. Ask around your neighbors that have really nice looking yards and use whoever they're using. Most fertilizer companies are hit and miss based on location. Scott's may be good in one town and horrible in the other. My neighbor recommended the company he uses. He didn't have weeds when we moved in. I started using them, and my weeds are gone now too. It's about $300/year and they come 7-8 times.

 

[Plump]

Spyker used in all my parks where we need to do tight areas. Just make sure to rinse any spreader out after each use and dry.

Don't trust those "settings" that the spreader and fertilizer bags have. If you're really going for accuracy, you're going to have to do a manual test of what you're throwing out. There are so many variables that can affect the spreader and material that just trusting the letter/number on the bag isn't going to give you the results you're looking for.

 

[eaglefan1]

Lesco. I used one last year, borrowed from a friend. Great spreader, but I can't justify the cost

 

[Tennessee Cattleman]

Spyker or Lesco stainless spreaders are good.

 

[Buckaroo5]

I also got disgusted with cheap lawn spreaders and bought a Lesco - the cheaper, non-stainless version. I am very happy with it.

https://www.siteone.com/en/092807-lesco-broadcast-spreader-50-lb-capacity/p/23988

 

[justler]

Check out the Echo RB-60. Supposed to be significantly better than the Scott's Elite spreader and close to spreaders like Lesco or Spyker that are in $300-$600 range. It's what I'll be getting when the next sale hits. I'll use it maybe 3-5 times per year so a Lesco or Spyker is rough to swallow given how much i'll use it.

 

[jobo1004]

Another vote for Lesco if you can stomach the cost.

 

[larry4406]

I bought an Earthway 2150 and seem pleased with it.

 

[mogandave]

Lawn?

 

[Davefr]

IMHO a broadcast spreader is best. I like this one. It's great for fertilizer but a little heavy when it's full of lime.

 

[red94chev]

I like my Echo RB-60 for the price I paid. It's not the best in the world but it gets the job done easily and accurately. If you have the money, I'd recomend a Spyker or a Lesco.

 

[Den69rs96]

I have an Earthway 2170 professional spreader that I've had zero problems with, and it works well. I paid $160 for it back in 2015. I can't believe it's over $400 now. Anyway, it's a great spreader.

100lb Commercial Broadcast Spreader - EarthWay

Commercial 100lb. Broadcast Spreader - 13" Pneumatic Stud tires

www.earthway.com

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

For even application of the answer is simple. Apply at half the rate and go over the lawn twice in perpendicular directions. (or 1/3 rate three times, 1/4 rate 4 passes).
True for all spreaders and treatments IMO it is most noticeable with fertilizer and a drop spreader.

 

[toddmorr]

I have an Earthway 2170 professional spreader that I've had zero problems with, and it works well. I paid $160 for it back in 2015. I can't believe it's over $400 now. Anyway, it's a great spreader.

100lb Commercial Broadcast Spreader - EarthWay

Commercial 100lb. Broadcast Spreader - 13" Pneumatic Stud tires

www.earthway.com

That's crazy, I have that unit and it's been fine for 15 yrs but the axle gear did strip at one point, got a part without issue. But it is not a heavy duty unit that you would expect for that kind of money. There is no way I'd pay 400 for that and be happy, today.