HELP WITH SETTING A SPREADER FOR FERTILIZER .

[KEYBEAR]

Well it is spring again and I will be spreading some Fertilizer Tomorrow . No one has a idea for the settings of the Pull Behind Spreader and every year I end up doing the spot test . (Spread some and look)
In the morning I will have a 1,000 lb in the driveway .

I have a Agi-Fab 125 lb pull behind spreader(not a drop Spreader) any one have an idea of a setting to start with .
I never remember the settings you would think I would write it down ?

 

[beenthere]

Just set it low and watch how it is doing, and then adjust more if felt not using up enough. Figure out ahead of time how much you want to spread on a given area and work from there. You'll get it.

 

[KEYBEAR]

BEENTHERE I do this every year at my age and one heart attack and a Stroke I no longer remember what I did last year . (**** I can not remember this morning) I also change the settings two or three times a year .

 

[sixdogs]

Just look up the owner's manual on line. The manual will give an application rate and width of distance and speed to drive. I dial a little less than the rate shown.

 

[robbyr]

http://www.agri-fab.com/Portals/0/Manuals/45-02101-101.pdf

See if this helps.

 

[MossRoad]

BEENTHERE I do this every year at my age and one heart attack and a Stroke I no longer remember what I did last year . (**** I can not remember this morning) I also change the settings two or three times a year .

Get yourself a red binder and keep things like this in there for your own sanity. I have one with my on-line accounts/passwords, bank account numbers, social security info, kids SS info, and most important of all, directions on how to find the septic tank lid from two corners of the house!

 

[KEYBEAR]

robbyr Thanks a lot my manual does not have that (rates)in it I will copy this .
Again Thank You

 

[robbyr]

You're very welcome. And MossRoad, I need you to forward your red binder to me. Thanks.

 

[sixdogs]

Rates will change with blend of fertilizer so I make notes about how things meter and the settings that work best with different blends. It's a fine tuning off the chart data.

 

[jenkinsph]

Rates will change with blend of fertilizer so I make notes about how things meter and the settings that work best with different blends. It's a fine tuning off the chart data.

My experience dictates I start with a setting of "6" on my larger spreader and make minute adjustments as needed in travel speed to vary applications rates. Having had several spreaders I found that most of them stink in the accuracy department. Nothing linear about the settings on most of the spin spreaders, a setting of four may not drop anything while a setting of 7 ot 8 may result in travelling a very short difference and unloading the entire hopper. I prefer to spread light and make several passes to get an even and uniform coverage.

 

[beenthere]

Do much the same as jenkinsph, and as well... the granules (prilled fertilizer) will vary some in size and also will flow differently depending on the relative humidity that affects the moisture content of the fertilizer.

 

[sixdogs]

It not so much the spreaders are off as the fact there are different types and blends of fertilizers and that people walk too close in the row or too irregular. Here is a chart of different fertilizer sizes and it can be confusing. Most are granular.
Vicon spreading charts

There is a strong element of guesswork in the small push spreaders but I have learned to make them accurate as described above. With the bigger tractor spreaders, you can get them to be very accurate if you understand the basics.

 

[KEYBEAR]

Well I spread the fertilizer yesterday did do a little adjusting and think it went well . My spreader is old but in good condition and works well . The idea for me is start a little lite and open it up a bit as I see things working . I started about 8:30 AM and had the stuff done at 11:30 AM in time for lunch not bad for a 1,000 lb. of fertilizer . I get bulk fertilizer and it did change from the last years but think it spread about the same . Now we need rain it has been a dry spring with very little snow this winter .

 

[Gunny]

When I come across situations like this and finally work out a solution, I use a permanent felt marker to write the info on the implement. My drop spreader has the setting, tractor gear and RPM listings for lime and fertilizer written on the underside of the top cover.
Makes it a lot easier than trying to remember from year to year

 

[buckeyefarmer]

You're very welcome. And MossRoad, I need you to forward your red binder to me. Thanks.

After he sends me the ssn page. Lol

 

[MossRoad]

After he sends me the ssn page. Lol

I think the Russian hackers got it!

That's one of the things that's kind of troublesome....

They (whoever THEY are) tell you never to write down a password, SS number, account #, etc.... but then they tell you to keep this information in a safe place. So, don't keep it, but keep it.

Anyhow, if anyone can get through my hoarder-style basement far enough to find the "red" binder, they've probably earned the right to be called Master Burglar and wear the label proudly.