disc Salt Spreader Iron hopper Double discs Fertilizer Spreader

There are four factors that will affect the way that any fertiliser product will spread – the shape, size, strength and weight of the material.

This is important because granules need to be able to withstand the force of the spreader vane hitting them so that they can be
propelled to a decent distance without breaking. Sometimes if a fertiliser bag has been open for a while the product will soften
and will be more likely to smash when the spreader vane hits them, meaning the granules will not spread as far.

There are four factors that will affect the way that any fertiliser product will spread – the shape, size, strength and weight of the material.

This is important because granules need to be able to withstand the force of the spreader vane hitting them so that
they can be propelled to a decent distance without breaking.

Sometimes if a fertiliser bag has been open for a while the product will soften and will be more likely to smash when the spreader vane hits them, meaning the granules will not spread as far.

Make sure your spreader is in good working order.

Start by assessing the disc and vane of the spreader, check that everything is clean, not pitted, warped or damaged.

Checking spreader discs and vanes

check the driveline to make sure there is no play in it and there isn’t any play in the individual disc bearings either.

Checking spreader headline mechanism for damage

Check that the drop on guides are intact and check by eye that the discs are level on the machine. Also ensure the headland mechanism is working correctly and isn’t damaged.

Spreader drop on guides, Lower the machine and inspect inside to check on the condition of the agitators in the bottom. Use a measuring tape to check the spreading height of the machine per the manufacturer’s guidelines.

All spreaders have different spreading heights and will need to be measured from different points so make sure you know where this is on your own machine first.

For a 24m spreader, put down a pellet tray for each metre of the spread either side of the machine, placing two trays together at the halfway point (12m).

Close up of catch tray with fertiliser in it. Make one pass through the middle of the catch trays with the spreader running, then assess the spread pattern using a set of measuring tubes.