Your spreader is your lifeline, but it may also be draining dollars out of your business. Some experts estimate that spreader calibration problems can cost as much as 10% of your fertilizer and insecticide budget, plus the potential cost of return visits, damaged turf and the impact to the environment.
Bruce Ryser, market specialist with FMC Professional Solutions, offers the following tips for calibration of drop and rotary spreaders:
1. It’s advisable to calibrate spreaders after the first use, and after every fourth application. But if that’s not possible, try to at least calibrate monthly.
2. Assign one technician per company to handle calibrations. It takes a bit of finesse to properly calibrate so it’s better that one person focus on it and do it right.
3. Get help from the universities. Both NC State and Texas A&M have great online guides.
4. Consider the granule. When applying granular insecticides, look for products with a uniform particle size. For example, the new Talstar EZ using Verge technology features a uniform, clay-based granule that spreads evenly, is virtually dust- and odor-free, and then quickly disappears into turf.
SUPPORTING LINKS:
http://www.fmcproSolutions.com/LawnCare.aspx
http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Guides.aspx#004613
