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During testing, we noticed that the dual-rotor design also allows it to provide better coverage than single-rotor spreaders.
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This is a hand-powered spreader, so you do have to crank it continuously as you spread.
Thats why it isnt a great pick for fertilizing a large yard.
Typically priced $10 to $30 more than ouroverall bestrecommendation, it comes with a number of upgrades.
PHOTO: The Spruce
During testing, we found the controls to be simple yet responsive.
How do you calibrate fertilizer spreaders?
Spreaders that come pre-calibrated do not have this requirement.
The Scotts Elite Spreader has a large hopper that’s perfect for fertilizing large yards.PHOTO: The Spruce
When we first used this spreader, we saw streaky results due to improper calibration.
Unlike that more expensive spreader, this one doesnt have a padded handle.
That makes it a little uncomfortable, but it never bothered me too much.
It comes pre-calibrated and fully assembled.
You may find yourself using it all year, though, since it can also spread ice melts.
The only thing I don’t like about this spreader is that the wheels are hard plastic.
One of the things I love about this fertilizer spreader is the huge hopper.
It holds up to 85 pounds of product, which is 20 pounds more than ourbest heavy-dutypick.
The big pneumatic tires are also great, especially for use on uneven terrain and all sorts of weather.
Ease of Setup: After unboxing each fertilizer spreader, we noted how the setup process went.
Some of the spreaders were fully assembled out of the box, and others required significant assembly.
Performance: While using the spreaders, we paid attention to how well the fertilizer was dispensed.
What Are Fertilizer Spreader Numbers?
I’ve used mine for overseeding to fill in thin areas of my lawn.
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PHOTO: The Spruce
The Scotts Whirl is easy to operate, with an even spread pattern.PHOTO: The Spruce
With its large capacity, the Echo Heavy Duty Spreader is good for big yards.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce
The Agri-Fab Push Broadcast Spreader has a huge hopper capacity.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce
The Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard Mini Broadcast Spreader dispensed evenly in our small yard.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce
The Ryobi OSS1800 can handle small yards, and it’s especially good for spot treatment.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce
The Yardworks All-Season Spreader includes a vinyl hopper cover.PHOTO: The Spruce
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For large yards, look for an option with a bigger hopper so you don’t have to refill it often.The Spruce
