Solo spreader settings

[bueller]

What settings do you find work the best for spreading brassicas, rye, fertilizer, clover, etc...? Each year I seem to forget what worked best for me in prior years. This time around I plan to make a "cheat sheet" to put on the spreader with clear tape.

 

[yoderjac]

I don't use them. I guess it is because my walk speed changes. For winter rye, I'm full open. For small seed, I measure out the amount of seed I want in the field based on acreage and load it. I then start with a small opening and make a pass to ensure full field coverage and then make a second pass with it open a bit more. It is probably not the most efficient way to do it but it works. When I first started, I tried to use and record settings. For whatever reason (probably my walk speed variability), I would sometimes run out of seed before I finished the field. That left me with a field that was too thick in spots and empty in others.

My first two passes are methodical. If I have seed left after the second pass, I zig-zag around randomly with the door open even wider.

Thanks,

jack

 

[Tree Spud]

I don't use them. I guess it is because my walk speed changes. For winter rye, I'm full open. For small seed, I measure out the amount of seed I want in the field based on acreage and load it. I then start with a small opening and make a pass to ensure full field coverage and then make a second pass with it open a bit more. It is probably not the most efficient way to do it but it works. When I first started, I tried to use and record settings. For whatever reason (probably my walk speed variability), I would sometimes run out of seed before I finished the field. That left me with a field that was too thick in spots and empty in others.

My first two passes are methodical. If I have seed left after the second pass, I zig-zag around randomly with the door open even wider.

Thanks,

jack

I'm with Jack ... my only other method is when I see seed coming out or hear it hitting other plants ... :D

 

[bueller]

I try to walk and crank at the same steady pace each time, not too fast not too slow. This past weekend I found that even setting #1 was open too much for small brassica seed :oops:. I'm not trying to get it perfect on one pass, that will never happen. But I don't want to be making 5 passes either.

 

[yoderjac]

I try to walk and crank at the same steady pace each time, not too fast not too slow. This past weekend I found that even setting #1 was open too much for small brassica seed :oops:. I'm not trying to get it perfect on one pass, that will never happen. But I don't want to be making 5 passes either.

I don't think I've ever had to make more than 2 plus a little zig-zagging. I will say that after doing my first field, I adjust and my second and subsequent fields are usually a single pass plus a little zig-zagging.

 

[Bluecollaroutdoors]

I like where your head is at but it is just too hard to hit it right on the head with different field sizes and mixes.
Brassicas and clover I always put down as slow as possible. I make a pass north and south, reload and go east and west. If I still have some left and hit the field on a diagonal.
I have small 1/4 acre plots so this works for me.

If I have a grain like oats rye etc where I am going to have to reload 10 times to spread the field I will put the setting in the middle say a
#3 on a 1-5 scale and letr rip.

You can till for days, but you only spread the seed once. Take your time and do it right. Slow, slow, slow, empty.

 

[tooln]

I'm in the measure out how much I want to put down group. Once measured make criss cross pattern till gone. Extra walking but I don't mine.