Broadcast Versus Drop Spreader

Spreaders are used to apply fertilizer and seed to turf areas. They can range from hand-held devices up to large tow-behinds or even ride-on machines. There are two main types of spreaders available. These are known as broadcast spreaders and drop spreaders. What is the difference, and which is the best? Let’s find out.

What Is A Broadcast Spreader?

As the name suggests, a broadcast spreader is a hand-pushed two-wheeled piece of equipment that is used to spread grass seeds or fertilizer on lawns in a broad area.

It is constructed with a hopper on top that holds the fertilizer. This tends to be more upright with higher ground clearance. The size of the hopper can vary but most professional models hold at least 50 pounds up to 80 or more. Homeowner versions will typically hold much less. There is an adjustable opening in the bottom of the hopper that can be opened and closed by the operator.

Under the hopper is a spinning disk, or impellor, with fins, that disperses the product across the lawn area in a fan pattern. Some models come with a side shield that can be used to reduce the amount of fertilizer that ends up on the driveway or walkways, reducing cleanup time.

Because the products are being broadcast, you can cover large areas very quickly. They disperse product over a central strip that thins out towards the edges so it is important to overlap to get even coverage and avoid striping the lawn.

What Is A Drop Spreader?

A drop spreader is a hand pushed implement that has a hopper and sits on two wheels. These tend to be much wider than tall and sit much lower to the ground to assure more accurate deposition of product. The bottom of the hopper has adjustable openings and uses gravity to drop the lawn products in a band.

They are ideal for small-medium lawns and/or tight spaces. The quintessential use for a drop spreader would have to be putting the chalk lines on a baseball field. The product goes down in a neat, defined band and is not spread across the base path. Products put down on your lawn will follow the same pattern.

So, which one is best? Let’s look at the pros and cons of each type of spreader.

Pros Of Broadcast Spreaders:

• Broadcast spreadersare faster and get the job done in less time.
• They have a bigger hopper which translates to more capacity compared to drop spreaders. This will save you time spent with less frequent refills.
• Broadcast spreaders are better for use with large lawns.

Cons of Broadcast spreaders:

• They are affected by the prevailing wind conditions and you may not get a uniform spread in your entire lawn.
• Lawn products such as seeds and fertilizers can be spread in non-targeted areas like driveways and on rocks leading to unnecessary wastage.
• Due to their operational design, broadcastspreaders are less accurate compared to drop spreaders.

Pros Of Drop Spreaders:

• Drop spreaders are more accurate when spreading compared to broadcast spreaders.
• Drop spreaders are easy to operate even by beginners.
• There is reduced lawn products wastage when using drop spreaders since the seeds/fertilizer are placed at the right locations instead of scattering them in all directions.
• They provide precision in tight spots and around obstacles.
• They're not impacted by normal winds.

Cons Of Drop Spreaders:

• Drop spreaders takes a lot of time to spread the lawn and they are only effective on small lawns.
• They have smaller hopper compared to broadcast spreader thus, requiring regular refill of lawn products.
• Care must be taken to ensure full coverage of the lawn area.
• Misapplication can result in burning or striping of the lawn.

Which type of spreader to use really depends on a variety of factors. If you choose to get one as a homeowner, carefully consider the pros and cons above before making your decision or just go with a professional lawn care company.

Trained professional applicators like those at Grassmaster Plus will use the best tools and products to help keep your lawn looking its best. For more information on spreaders or if you just want to discuss your lawn care needs, go to www.GrassmasterPlus.com or call 978-769-3595 for a free quote!