mercredi 17 avril 2019

Picking The Right Compost Spreader

By Mark Carter


Whether you own a farm or a yard, you are familiar with spreading fertilizer to enrich the soil. When doing so, it is important to pick the best compost spreader for the job. Compost is a natural fertilizer and is eco-friendly. The size and style of the machinery will make a difference in cost and how well the job gets done.

There are several sizes. If you have a large field where tractors are typically in use, you can choose an industrial spreader that is designed for this purpose. The smaller versions are for pulling behind riding lawn mowers or spreading manually. The device size does make a difference in doing an effective job, so choose wisely.

For the larger fields, the side composter works very well when pulled behind a tractor. These throw a great deal of manure and product in a large wide spray. This will reduce the amount of time and trips for the smaller fields. Because these throw a great deal of product they are not best for specific or targeted spreading because they're not going to be as accurate on the layer that is left behind.

Spreaders with the vertical bar maximize the amount of spray. Instead of throwing a large amount, the material is broken up and sprayed in a thinner layer that is more uniform than the side sprayers. These are great for providing a nice nutrient value to the soil.

If controlling the area is desired, the horizontal beaters are the best way to go. This equipment is hooked up to the back of the tractor and provides the same control over the layer thickness that the vertical bars do. In addition, this one allows you to control the width of the application. Using this to provide an accurate layer the width of the tractor tires means you can work with long rows.

Spinner beaters allow you to control how much is applied much more accurately. When you want to use different types of compost together and have an even spread, the spinner beaters mix the material together to make this possible. The different density in materials is less important because of these beaters. Having more control allows you to spread the different materials at the same time instead of making multiple trips which may compact the soil.

Lawns require smaller equipment and in some cases manual processing. There are several devices that are similar to the industrial equipment but sized to be pulled behind a riding lawnmower. Another option exists in doing a manual application by using a roller. The roller has all-metal construction with front loading and a mesh barrel. This mesh barrel breaks up the material as you push the roller and it lays the fertilizer directly onto the soil.

Choosing the right equipment minimizes cost and time to get the job done. For great lawn or produce growth, a compact soil can be a problem. Making one pass instead of many will prevent soil compaction and allow for the natural fertilizer to do its job. This is better for growing and for the environment.




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