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I use a Solo 421, quite easy to calibrate and has a 9kg capacity.
The Scotts Handygreen spreader is good for small lawns. It’s about £40 inc VAT. Don’t get the cheaper version that’s around £15-20.
It holds approx 100m2 worth of fertiliser but is subject to your product application rate and walk speed etc. It’s not uncommon to do multi passes to get to top end application rate but in reality you may not really need to put down the top rate. Try at lower say 25g/m2 and on most lawns you can get good results. All depends on you annual lawn plan and what nutrients you are putting down over the year. Too much nitrogen causes excess growth and creates more thatch, hence why a lower rate can give the desired results.
Still a hand held, the scotts / ICL spreader holds around 3kg fert when full, so will do 100sqm @ 30g/sqm per full scoop. On the highest gate opening and slow walking thats usually 1 pass, cheaper ones don't have the screws in the bottom and are rubbish - watch out:
https://www.pitchcare.com/shop/hand-spreaders/icl-handy-green-hand-...
For wheeled: these are quite good for the money, lightweight, easy to move around:
https://www.pitchcare.com/shop/fertiliser-spreaders/ev-n-spred-2150...
The best: Scotts / ICL SR 2000. Most accurate, heavy duty, plus has side deflector for edging & useful on smaller lawns:
https://www.pitchcare.com/shop/fertiliser-spreaders/icl-sr2000-rota...
The earthways come with a built in side deflector now, just for everyones info. They call it sidespread control. I had to ask about it as suppliers here didn't realise. I just took delivery of the 2150 from pitchcare with it included.
Hi Dave, I've had a go with the Solo, easy to use and accurate. Good value, but I found it hard on the neck when fully loaded. For less loads I would revert to the hand spreader, for bigger the SR2000
Thanks for the quick responses gentleman!
The Solo looks good, thanks Dave. Think I will look at picking one up this week.
Russel and Andrew, that's the spreader I bought! It seems good for the lawns I deal with (maintenance gardener) I just expected a greater output in terms of g/m2!? I calibrated it in the following way:
Distance x Spread Width = Area
10m x 4m = 40m2
product in hopper - product remaining = product used
1000g - 882g = 118g
product used / area = application rate
118g / 40 = 2.95
I assume slowing my walking speed will help but I guess I will look like I'm walking on the moon!!
Do my workings seem right? I'm using the smartlawn ultimate product!
Thank you guys
what setting did you have on the gate - on the side of the handle 1-5 values. setting 1 smallest, setting 5 largest - needs to be on 5.
Setting 5 at a slow walk will come out fine. BUT, I find only really works with smaller grain ferts, say around 2-3mm max. The 3-4mm stuff does not go through well at all.
Setting 1 will give around 3g/m2 - used to be ideal for merit turf!
I always like to do it in 2 passes..... different directions... anyway. Reckon it gives a more even coverage.
Me too.
I use a Scotts Easygreen and have done for many years, which I find perfectly adequate for small to medium size lawns. Under £40 and will last me 3-4 years. Rotary distribution, easy to calibrate, not bad value I reckon.
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