Choosing and calibrating seed and fertiliser spreaders

Pitchcare

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13th Nov 2026

The right spreader depends on what you are applying, how much ground you need to cover and how closely you need to control the edges. A bigger hopper can reduce refilling, but it does not make an unsuitable machine right for fine seed, coated fertiliser or top dressing. Use this guide to narrow the choice, then check the settings for the exact material before starting.

Choose the spreading method first

Handheld: useful when the job is a small patch or localised repair. Compare handheld spreaders when carrying a small quantity is more practical than manoeuvring a wheeled machine.
Drop: places material in a defined strip beneath the hopper. Compare drop spreaders and top dressers for controlled placement, while checking which machines accept your actual material.
Rotary or broadcast: throws granules across a wider path. Compare broadcast spreaders for open areas, allowing for controlled overlap and for boundaries where material must not land.

Top dressing is a separate purchasing decision. A machine that meters fertiliser is not automatically suitable for bulky dressing material. Check the machine's stated purpose rather than assuming that everything in a spreader category is interchangeable.

Compare four machines for different jobs

Selected Pitchcare spreaders: compare the material and working method, not capacity alone.
Machine	Useful starting point for	Capacity or working width	Check before choosing
ICL ShakerPro	Small seed, fertiliser or granular wetting-agent applications and local repairs.	ICL lists 750 g of grass seed or 1.5 kg of granular fertiliser.	Handheld shaker application, with variable spread width. Plan for a small quantity at a time.
AccuPro DROP	Grass seed and compatible uncoated fertilisers where a defined strip is useful.	0.84 m working width; 13 kg grass seed or 25 kg granular fertiliser.	ICL excludes its coated controlled-release fertilisers from this machine's compatibility list.
AccuPro 360ST	Professional granular fertiliser work, including compatible ICL coated and uncoated products.	30 kg granular fertiliser; advertised spread width up to 4.5 m.	Set the numbered flow control and lettered SmartSpread control for the fertiliser; verify the effective working width.
Cresco 20	Lawn-care and seasonal spreading where a dual-purpose machine is useful.	Manufacturer's 20SW specification: 30 litre hopper and pneumatic tyres.	Fit the appropriate summer or winter slider. Material, setup and walking pace determine the working pattern.

Litres measure hopper volume; kilograms measure material weight. They are not interchangeable capacity ratings. The amount of seed that fits can be very different from the amount of fertiliser. Check the product page for current availability and the supplied specification.

Match the machine to the work you actually do

For repeated small repairs, a handheld applicator may save moving and filling a larger machine. For a narrow strip, compare the required placement width with the machine's working width. On a large open lawn or sports surface, consider how many passes and refills the job requires, together with access, turning space and the operator's ability to maintain a consistent pace.

Coated controlled-release fertiliser needs particular care. ICL specifies AccuPro DROP for its uncoated fertilisers, seed and granular wetting agents, while AccuPro 360ST accepts its coated and uncoated fertilisers. Confirm other manufacturers' materials individually. A product described as “slow release” should not be treated as proof that it has, or does not have, a coating.

For seed work, AccuPro DROP and ShakerPro have explicit seed suitability in ICL's current compatibility information. If you want one rotary machine for both seed and fertiliser, give the supplier the exact seed mixture and fertiliser names before ordering so the combination and settings can be checked.

Check the pattern as well as the application rate

A broadcast machine's furthest visible granules do not define its effective working width. The outer part of the pattern is lighter, so adjacent passes must overlap correctly. A tray test with the actual material helps establish the pattern and appropriate spacing between passes. Check left-to-right balance as well as total output.

Do not open the flow control simply to make the spread look wider. That changes the quantity applied. First check the material condition, walking speed, slider or pattern setting, and whether a border-control function is engaged. Use the machine's instructions to set up and test these adjustments.

Calibrate before treating the whole area

Use the material's stated application rate and the exact machine's instructions. A published spreader setting is a starting point, not a substitute for checking output.

Inspect the machine and confirm that the shut-off closes properly. Select the correct material configuration.
Establish the working width. For a broadcast spreader, check the distribution pattern first.
Measure a test distance and load a known weight. Operate at the pace specified for the machine and settings.
Weigh what remains. Subtract this from the starting weight to find the amount dispensed.
Calculate the rate, adjust if necessary, then repeat the check. Avoid repeatedly dosing the same turf during testing.

Rate in g/m² = grams dispensed ÷ (working width in metres × distance in metres).

For example, a 0.84 m drop spreader travelling 10 m covers 8.4 m². If it dispenses 252 g, the measured rate is 30 g/m². This is a calculation example, not a recommended rate for every seed or fertiliser.

Keep a usable settings record

Record the machine, material, target rate, verified working width, control settings and operator pace. Recheck when the material or operator changes. Clean and dry the machine according to its manual after use so residue does not interfere with the next application.

Browse the full seed and fertiliser spreader range, or contact Pitchcare with the area, material and intended application rate for help narrowing the choice.