What is calibration in fertilizer?
What is calibration in fertilizer?
Calibration is the process used to help ensure that the equipment applies proper rates of the selected product. Proper calibration is the key to successful fertilizer use ef- ficiency. Failure to calibrate equipment can result in ineffec- tive applications.
How often should a fertilizer spreader be calibrated?
The spreader is properly calibrated when the calibration rate is within ± 5% of the recommended 5.00 lb. (in this example when the calibration rate falls between 4.75 to 5.25 lbs. of fertilizer per 1,000 sq. ft.).
What setting should I set the Edgeguard Mini for fertilizer?
The Edgeguard Mini can hold up to 5,000 square feet of lawn products, like fertilizer and seed. With dial settings from 2 to 15, this broadcast spreader can handle a wide range of different sized products. When applying grass seed for a new lawn, or repairing bare spots, set the orange dial to 13.
How does a fertilizer spreader work?
Centrifugal spreaders The fertilizer falls through a trapdoor and then there are disks, or a rotating tube, which is responsible for distributing it to the full width of the machine. They tend to be very homogeneous and get better working widths if they are double disc.
How much fertilizer do I need to calibrate my spreader?
To achieve this desired N rate, 5.00 pounds of total material (TM) per 1,000 square feet needs to be applied. This is calculated as: The spreader is properly calibrated when the calibration rate is within ± 5% of the recommended 5.00 lb. (in this example when the calibration rate falls between 4.75 to 5.25 lbs. of fertilizer per 1,000 sq. ft.).
How do I know if the spreader is properly calibrated?
The spreader is properly calibrated when the calibration rate is within ± 5% of the recommended 5.00 lb. (in this example when the calibration rate falls between 4.75 to 5.25 lbs. of fertilizer per 1,000 sq. ft.).
How to reduce calibration rate when using drop-type or rotary spreaders?
A more uniform application can be obtained when using drop-type or rotary spreaders if the recommended rate is applied in two applications; one half the rate is applied in one direction and the other half at right angles to the first as shown in Figure 1. If this strategy is used then the calibration rate is cut by half.
Are rotary spreaders uniform in distribution?
Rotary spreaders, however, are not uniform in distribution of material. For example, rotary type spreaders apply material in a fan like pattern with the heaviest rates applied to the center of the spreader path while to left and right of center application rates decline in a bell shape like curve with distance.
