Pattern Adjustment, Effective Pattern Width

PATTERN ADJUSTMENT

Normal spreading of materials requires no adjustment (factory setting “A”) unless stated on the package. In those cases where the spread pattern has shifted, the pattern can be adjusted left and right by loosening the two knobs on the discharge chute and moving the chute closer or farther away from the impeller. Settings of “A, B, and C” are provided as reference.

Discharge Chute

Settings

Discharge

Chute

Knob

		Impeller
Knob		Impeller
Knob

HOW TO DETERMINE SPREADER SETTINGS AND SPREAD WIDTH

Two major factors should be considered when determining correct spreader settings of any product:

1.The product application rate, or the amount of material applied per 1,000 square feet.

2.The effective pattern width, or the actual width in which material is applied. Label settings are a guide and can be affected by numerous factors.

EFFECTIVE PATTERN WIDTH

A simple visual pattern test can be made by operating the spreader over a non-turf area and evaluating the pattern. A more accurate method is to place a row of common, disposable, aluminum cake pans approximately 1 foot on centers. Set the rate plate at a middle setting and make 3 or 4 passes in the same direction as shown. Pour the material collected from each pan into individual bottles of the same size. Set them side by side in order, and visually inspect their volume. If the pattern is not centered (example: volume in bottle #2 left not equal to bottle #2 right), adjust the discharge chute up or down as described in “PATTERN ADJUSTMENT” section.

Once the pattern is uniform, the effective pattern width can be determined. The

effective pattern width is the distance out from the spreader to a point where the amount of material is 1/2 the average amount in the center pans. This distance is multiplied by 2 to achieve the total effective pattern width.