Best Fertilizer Spreader – Must Read Before Selecting The Best
If a beautiful lawn surrounds your property, garden or you have fields that bring food to your table, you know how much work it takes to grow any plant successfully. For this reason, there are constant innovations in producing tools and machinery that help reduce the stress and the amount of physical work and effort one puts into this kind of work.
A fertilizer spreader is one such tool; it is a multipurpose device which can spread fertilizer, seed, lime, ice melt, and sand, both quickly and evenly. You should definitely own one, and we have, therefore, comprised a detailed guide that will help you find the best broadcast spreader currently on the market.
Picture | Products | Price | Review | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $$ | Hand-Held Spreader | ||
 | $$ | Classic Drop Spreader | ||
 | $$$ | Tow-Behind Drop Spreader | ||
 | $$ | Classic Broadcast Spreader | ||
 | $$$ | Tow-Behind Broadcast Spreader |
More...
Types Of Fertilizer Spreaders
Hand-Held Fertilizer Spreaders
Those are the easiest to operate with but have the smallest capacity. They are ideal for smaller lawns and gardens or fixing bare spots.
Drop Fertilizer Spreaders
Those have a large capacity and operate by being pushed by a person walking behind them. Their wheels activate the mechanism that dispenses the substance being spread.
Tow-Behind Fertilizer Spreaders
Those are also wheeled but connect to a compatible vehicle such as a tractor, ATV, or riding mower. Besides having the wheels which activate the spreading mechanism by turning, they often incorporate an aerating component as well.
What To Look For When Buying A Fertilizer Spreader?
In the past, fertilizing and seeding was mostly done by hand, which meant that person doing the work had to carry heavy weight and deal with sometimes dangerous chemicals that could be inhaled or absorbed through the skin thus endangering that person' s health.
Moreover, besides all the hard work, health-risk and enormous effort put into these tasks the result would often be disappointing as the seeds, fertilizer or any other substance being distributed would be unevenly spread- excessive in some, and scarce in other parts.
Consequently, broadcast or rotary spreaders were developed and have made a huge difference thereafter. Broadcast spreaders feature a hopper with a rotating disc underneath it, which spins and scatters the fertilizer or seeds onto the ground.
As they dispense the product in an arc-shaped mode, it can be quickly and evenly spread at a 180-degree angle and over large areas up to over 10-feet far from the spreader.
Consider the capacity of the broadcast spreader
The size of your property should be the main factor when choosing the broadcast spreader and thus be sure to check the capacity of the model you are interested in. There are huge differences among different spreaders, and if you purchase a model with low capacity and have to work on a large lawn or field, you will not enjoy any advantages of this tool as you will have to refill the unit too often. Higher capacity, on the other hand, will cost you more money, so make sure that you really need it.
Is it easy to operate?
First of all consider the weight of the unit, especially if it is a hand-held model. When it comes to push and tow-behind models the most important things to consider are the tires and the stability of the unit. The tires should be pneumatic and easy to roll over any kind of terrain, especially wet one.
How quickly can you assemble the unit?
Most of the fertilizer spreader of lower capacity come pre-assembled, larger units, on the other hand, need to be assembled which can be confusing for those who are not handy with tools, but also take hours.
Take notice: Most fertilizer spreaders also allow you to simply follow the guidelines on the package eliminating all the guessing when it comes to deciding how much product you should apply over a designated amount of ground, and that was impossible with hand applying the substances.
Does it have a guard?
These devices are not perfect, unfortunately, and if one is not careful the product being spread can easily end up in the unwanted areas such as the neighboring lawn or the pavement. Better models thus often include a guard which blocks the distribution to these unwanted areas and allow you to work near the edge of your property without wasting the fertilizer.
5 Best Fertilizer Spreader Reviews
1. SCOTTS Wizz Hand-Held Spreader
Best Hand-Held Spreader
Via: Amazon.com
Suitable for smaller yards, this hand-held Scotts Wizz model is a cheap and easy to care for a spreader for all those who feel that owning a push or tow spreader would be overkill. It is not too heavy as it weighs around 2.4 pounds. As it comes ready to use, you just need to lift it and press the trigger for it to start spreading the product.
Controlling the spreader might prove an issue as you have to tilt it a bit and shake it from time to time. It also does not work well with moist substances. On the bright side, it has 23 different settings to reach the desired accuracy.
This spreader can be operated by one hand- unlike most of the hand-held models. It comes with four AA batteries (unfortunately not rechargeable). The capacity of this spreader is enough to cover an area of up to 2 500 square feet. It is quick and efficient since it spreads granulated products in up to 5 feet diameter.
Due to the "edge guard" feature which blocks the product from spreading out to the left side, you need to walk clockwise as to cover all the edges of the desired area.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
2. SCOTTS Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader
Best Classic Drop Spreader
Via: Amazon.com
This is another Scotts spreader, but this time it is a push-behind model with a greater capacity- ideal for lawns and gardens up to 10,000 square feet. The frame is made from heavy-duty materials, but the wheels feel flimsy and are made of plastic thus tending to get stuck halting the spreading process altogether and causing an uneven distribution as well. Wet grass or bumpy terrains can be especially challenging.
Positively, the chute is 22 inches wide and provides excellent coverage, so you do not have to do too many rows to cover the space. The hopper is wide as well, and the spreader comes pre-calibrated minimizing the wastage. The handlebar is quite comfortable too.
It is an average priced, but also an average quality spreader that could use some improvements, but still gets the job done quite successfully. A hopper cover would be a useful addition though.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
3. AGRI-FAB 175-Pound Max Tow Behind Drop Spreader
Best Tow Behind Drop Spreader
Via: Amazon.com
Agri-Fab 45-0288 Tow Behind Drop Spreader is the spreader with the largest hopper capacity of 175-pounds. It is able to cover 40,000-square feet of ground or roughly 1 acre which makes it ideal for large properties or even professional use on farms and fields.
Of course, in order to use this spreader, like any other tow behind spreader, you have to own an appropriate vehicle as well- the good news is that Agri-Fab 45-0288 is compatible with most ATVs, tractors and riding mowers commonly used.
The 42-inch controlled spread width secures quick and even distribution of any product being dispersed. On the downside, it does need to be assembled which can be a bit time-consuming and a bit confusing since some parts do not bend correctly.
The unit is very durable due to rustproof poly hopper; premium galvanized steel agitator and the weather- and corrosion-resistant poly construction. Pneumatic tires allow a smooth ride over most of the terrain, even in wet conditions.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
4. SCOTTS Turf Builder EdgeGuard Broadcast Spreader
Best Classic Broadcast Spreader
Via: Amazon.com
Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard is a push broadcast spreader that can hold enough product to cover up to 15,000 square feet of the ground. It comes fully assembled, pre-calibrated and ready to use. As it is almost entirely made of plastic, we question its durability, but it is reasonably priced and seems well-built and able to last for years.
The 9-inch wheels are made of PVC as well, but run smoothly over most of the terrains; our complaint is that they are hollow and collect the products which are being spread- this can potentially lead to over spilling the product over certain areas. The spreader is light and easy to move around as it weighs only 10.67 lbs. The handlebar is a bit short.
This spreader features a plastic turn rotary knob which allows for adjusting the spread rate of the fertilizer and the side blocker (EdgeGuard) that can be switched to either side to ensure accurate coverage and prevent the substances from spreading out on sides or outside the lawn area.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
5. AGRI-FAB 130-Pound Tow Behind Broadcast Spreader
Best Tow Behind Broadcast Spreader
Via: Amazon.com
If you own an appropriate and compatible vehicle and a large property buying an Agri-Fab 45-0463 tow-behind broadcast spreader, although it is a bit expensive, might help you keep your property green. As it has 130 pounds weight capacity, you will not have to make many re-fill trips. It can cover up to 25 000 square feet of the ground.
The desired distribution rate needed and can be adjusted by the lever which can also completely shut off the spreading. The spring holding the lever seems a bit flimsy though. You can access the On/ off control rod from the vehicle seat.
If you can spare some more money, there is some additional equipment you can purchase such as hopper cover, deflector and hopper grate which will certainly prove useful.
On the downside, assembling the spreader will take a lot of time and effort, and the tires have a strong rubbery smell.
Tires which are 4-inch wide and 13 inches in diameter and the 27 inches wide wheelbase make the unit stable and appropriate for any type of terrain. Durability is secured by rust-resistant hopper and spreader plate, and aluminum beveled gear
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Although all the broadcast spreaders reviewed are quite different, they all have the same purpose and serve it well. However, we have to give a slight advantage to Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard Deluxe Broadcast Spreader, as it is almost faultless, highly efficient and reasonably priced.
In the end, your personal needs and preferences will influence your choice the most- and we will thus only assure you once more that whichever broadcast spreader reviewed here you choose, you will not be disappointed!
AMAZON Best Sellers: Best Fertilizer Spreaders
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