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HOW TO DETERMINE SPREADER
SETTINGS AND SPREAD WIDTH
EFFECTIVE PATTERN WIDTH
APPLICATION RATE
Two major factors should be considered when determining correct spreader settings of
any product:
The product application rate, or the amount of material applied per 1,000 square feet. 1.
The effective pattern width, or the actual width in which material is applied. Label set-2.
tings are a guide and can be affected by numerous factors.
A simple visual pattern test can be made
by operating the spreader over a non-
turf area and evaluating the pattern. A
more accurate method is to place a row
of common, disposable, aluminum cake
pans approximately 1 foot on centers.
Set the rate cam at a middle setting and
make 3 or 4 passes in the same direc-
tion as shown. Pour the material collected
from each pan into individual bottles of
the same size. Set them side by side in
order, and visually inspect their volume.
The effective pattern width is the distance
out from the spreader to a point where
the amount of material is 1/2 the average
amount in the center pans. This distance
is multiplied by 2 to achieve the total
effective pattern width.
Knowing the effective pattern width (for exam-
ple, 10 feet), measure a distance equal to 100
square feet (10’ x 10’ swath width). Determine
the product coverage is pounds/ 100 sq. ft. by
the recommended square foot coverage (add
two zeroes to the weight of the bag).
EXAMPLE: Product weight: 25 lbs. sq. ft.
coverage: 5,000 sq. ft. 2500 lbs. - 5,000
sq. ft. = .5 lbs. / 100 sq. ft.
Weigh out between 15 to 20 lbs. of material
and spread over the 100 sq. ft. area. Weigh
remaining material left in hopper and adjust
rate setting as required. Repeat test until
application rate is correct.
Space Pan 1’0” on Centers
Space for Wheel Track