Seeders 3 pt hitch seeder question

[gerard]

I just bought a 3 point hitch seed spreader at an auction that I plan on spreading grass seed with to overseed some horse pasture. My question goes to anyone with experience using one on what is a good setting to set the openings for? There are two rectangular openings about 1.5 x 3" which can be opened in tandem or independently. I'd like some idea rather than use the trial and error approach and going through a bunch of grass seed trying to figure out what a decent setting is. I'm shooting for about 25-35 lbs per acre

 

[MikePA]

Hopefully, someone with experience can reply. I would imagine that how much seed is spread is actually a function of 2 other variables, in addition to the size of the openings. The speed of the PTO which controls how fast the tray spins and your ground speed.

Here is a <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.landpride.com/cgi-bin/byteserver/manuals/lp/pdf/309-500m.pdf>link</A> to the online manual for the Landpride spreader/seeder that may help.

 

[BB_TX]

If this is like the ones I have seen, you should have a lever that you can move to block one of the holes to throw right, or block the other hole to throw left. Both holes open throws center (both right and left).
Then there should be another lever to control how large an opening there is thru each hole. Grass seed varies considerable in size so that will be a big factor. Amount spread per acre will be due to seed size, hole opening, ground speed.
I have used one to spread oats for deer plots. Set for center throw, it would throw a swath of at least 20'. I don't remember what setting we had it on, but it would go thru a hundred pounds pretty quick.
I should be in politics. I gave a lot of information, but no answer. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

 

[gerard]

yep, two holes two levers, didn't realize it was to throw left/right/or center - makes sense. Guess I'll just crack the openings a minimal amount. Worst case is it's too light and I make another pass. Better than dumping all the seed on the first acre and not having any left for the second!!!!! thanx for the input /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[MReeter]

Seeding rates will vary depending on what type of seed you're spreading.Bluegrass is a very small seed,Fescue is a fairly large seed,an so on.I usually set a seeder at half rate,then criss cross my pattern to get a good even spread.

I have a hopper type spreader,sounds like the same as yours,but I don't seed with it,just fertilize.I use a smaller pull-type spreader to seed with,but if you have several acres to cover,your spreader would be the best bet.

Download that info. from Landpride,that's the brand of spreader we have,it has the flow chart on the hopper itself.