The Grass Doctor

Is it really worth the extra money to get a professional grade broadcast spreader??

I am a landscaper and use to using the cheaper broadcast spreaders that you find at Home Depot, Scotts Speedy Green 3000 for example. But I see a lot of landscapers hauling around these more heavy duty looking, round barrel shaped broadcast spreaders with rubber tires all the time, and was wanting to know the reason why? I checked the prices of these spreaders and they are nearly 3 x the price of the Scotts Brand Spreaders you find at Home Depot. Are they really worth it, if you are doing a lot of seed and fertilizer spreading? Do they hold a lot more seed? Do they spread more accurately? More evenly? What exactly?? Why?? Thanks for you answers!

Public Comments

1. I'm curious about this too! The one thing that I know can make a BIG difference is that some spreaders have a side deflector that prevents the fertilizer/seed from going EVERYWHERE! It is put only on the grass, and not all over the sidewalk where it wastes money, litters and screws up the water quality.
2. Honestly you have to crunch the math to give yourself an accurate answer. It depends on how big and involved the projects you work with. Consider these things: 1.What is the life expectancy of each spreader. 2.The cost of the spreader over the lifetime. 3.The labor involved in maintaining the spreader. 4.The convenience vs. the cost. 5.Your ability to operate the spreaders. If your running a business you typically want the most productive solution you can find. If you're farming the same thing! If you're just using it around the house just keep it simple and enjoy the exercise. 6.Only you know all the answers
3. Lots of equipment means you can charge lots of money, but their work is no better than mine and i still use a bucket and spred the stuff by hand.
4. the 1 you have is good,they are much the same each and every 1,some are light weight,some stainless steel or plastic,some open the hopper wider for applications.depends on your needs.used different ones for past 30 years never found a decent one in all those years the metal ones rust,,the agitater always breaks.live in uk