How to Calibrate the Scotts Speedygreen 2000
Scott's manufactures a number of products for the garden including tools, seed and fertilizers. One of their line of broadcast spreaders is the Speedy Green 2000. A broadcast spreader has a wheeled hopper on the front and a handle like a lawn mower so you can walk behind the spreader. As you push, a blade turns in the spreader to release whatever amendment you're applying to your lawn at a specified rate. For your spreader to operate properly, it must be calibrated from time to time. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Fertilizer or other lawn amendment
- 10- by 10-foot tarp
- Stakes (optional)
- Plastic container
- Scale (sensitive to ounces)
- Pencil
- Paper
Instructions
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1
Close the spreader's dispenser and pour the fertilizer or other lawn amendment into the hopper.
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2
Spread out the tarp so it is completely flat. If needed, pin the tarp to the ground with the stakes to hold it in place.
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3
Move the spreader-rate knob to the correct setting for your amendment. For the Scott's Speedy Green 2000, see the Tips section for suggested application rates.
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4
Walk the spreader to a corner of the tarp and open the dispenser. Walk back and forth in parallel rows over the tarp as you would if you were applying the fertilizer to your lawn. Try not to overlap.
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5
Gather up the tarp, being careful not to spill any of the fertilizer. Pour the fertilizer from the tarp into the plastic container.
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6
Weigh the container and the fertilizer. Record the weight. Pour out the fertilizer and weigh only the container. Record the weight.
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7
Subtract the weight of the container from the weight of the container and the fertilizer. This is the weight of the fertilizer you spread. Multiply this weight by 10. This is the application rate for that setting and that amendment. If the application rate is higher than the directions the label on your amendment recommends, run your spreader at a lower setting. If it is lower than the recommendation, run the spreader at a higher rating.
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8
Repeat Steps 2 to 7 to determine the application rate if you needed to change the setting.
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1
Tips & Warnings
To spread material at 2.25 lbs. per 1,000 square feet, set your Scott's Speedy Green 2000 to 3.75. to spread at 4.6 lbs. per 1,000 square feet, set it to 7.
The calibration is good for amendments that are of similar size to each other. If you are going to use finer or coarser amendments than the one you tested, you will need to calibrate for those as well for the most accurate application.
Use caution with any lawn chemical. Wear gloves and avoid breathing the dust. If any comes in contact with your skin, wash the exposed area immediately.
References
- Photo Credit lawn image by Allyson Ricketts from Fotolia.com
