5 Tips To Achieve The Best Fertilizer Spread Pattern
The fertilizer spreader is an important component to any crop operation, and the team at Heartland Ag Systems offers their advice for keeping it running in top shape.
“We’ve all seen fields that are almost wavy across the field. That's because the fertilizer spread pattern is uneven,” says Daryl Patten, operations manager at Heartland Ag Systems. “The operator may have put the right total amount on the field, but because of improper settings, poor maintenance, operator error or worn equipment, different rates were applied within the field.”
To avoid varied emergence and uneven stand densities in your crops, it’s important to take a look at the set-up and calibration of the machine each time a different product is spread or the rate of application changes.
“At the farm level, the best way to ensure your machine is working properly is to routinely pattern test in actual field conditions with the product(s) or blends that will be spread,” Patten says.
Patten shares his top five steps to take before conducting your next pan test.
- Have a pull-type spreader? Check the hitch height.
Dust off your owner’s manual to double check the proper hitch height for your spreader. If it’s the wrong level, the distance fertilizer particles are thrown will not be accurate. The spinners on truck-mounted spreaders should be leveled in respect to the rest of the machine.
- Know the intended operating speed.
This speed should be consistent over the entire field despite varied terrain.
- Perform an inspection.
Check for worn, bent, rusted, loose or sticking parts and remove any build up found.
- Is the spinner speed correct?
While Patten notes that newer and commercial spreaders will allow operators to monitor the spinner speed from the cab and sends a warning if it is off, it’s a good idea to manually check on other machines.
For machines with dual spinners, use a handheld tachometer and make sure the fins on the spinner-discs are moving at the same speed. If your machine has an operator interface, check that the spinners’ RPM matches the rate controller setting.
- Check the density and quality of the fertilizer.
“Changes in product (season to season, location to location, load to load) have an impact on a machine’s performance and the quality of the application pattern. One setting does not ‘fit-all’,” Patten says. “Dust and fine particles can change the flow of product through the spreader, affecting the accuracy of the application since fine particles often aren’t thrown as far as larger particles.”
