Is it really worth the extra money to get a professional grade broadcast spreader??

Question

I am a landscaper and use to using the cheaper broadcast spreaders that you find at Home Depot, Scotts Speedy Green 3000 for example.

But I see a lot of landscapers hauling around these more heavy duty looking, round barrel shaped broadcast spreaders with rubber tires all the time, and was wanting to know the reason why?

I checked the prices of these spreaders and they are nearly 3 x the price of the Scotts Brand Spreaders you find at Home Depot.

Are they really worth it, if you are doing a lot of seed and fertilizer spreading?

Do they hold a lot more seed? Do they spread more accurately? More evenly? What exactly?? Why??


Thanks for you answers!

Why do professional landscapers feel these heavy duty spreaders are worth the considerable extra money???

Why do professional landscapers feel these heavy duty spreaders are worth the considerable extra money???

To the first answerer, I have been using the "push kind" previously.

What I am talking about here is the push kind that they are using is more "professional grade" .

Where as the push spreader I am purchasing now at Home Depot costs around $50.00. These types I am seeing them use are $150.00.


I am not using the hand held type!!

Answer 1

You get what you pay for.We use Earth way spreaders.You can use it in the summer for fertilizer and in the winter for spreading calcium chloride for ice.They hold up well,just rinse them of with water when you are done for the day.

Answer 2

I had one of those roundy-roundy things and it really made my wrist tired after a while. If you're doing a big area, it's much easier to use the push-type spreader. Plus it does spread a lot more evenly. And they do hold a lot more seed/fertilizer than the hand-held type.

If a landscaping company is going to buy a spreader, they will probably be able to afford the push kind. And, they will then be able to do as big an area as the customer wants. It will probably last longer, too.

Answer 3

I'm curious about this too! The one thing that I know can make a BIG difference is that some spreaders have a side deflector that prevents the fertilizer/seed from going EVERYWHERE! It is put only on the grass, and not all over the sidewalk where it wastes money, litters and screws up the water quality.

Answer 4

when i worked at a landscape company we used both the high dollar ones and the cheap home depot type the more expensive type would last longer because much of the metal parts and screws that held them together were stainless steel while the cheaper ones had metal parts that were just regular metal we had a life span of about 2 years with the cheap ones and the expensive ones about 6-8 years yes they cost more up front but you dont have to replace them as often when you care for them

Answer 5

because most professionals as with any business have to hire out and use employees to do the job, employees do not care as much about the tools the boss supplys or uses to get their job done so they "can" be thrashed, as with a cleaning business that needs a vacuum cleaner, most professional cleaners can be bashed around! and take it! As the home varitey cant, though im not saying that the one you have is the same as the professionals, its looking at the money in the long run, how long and how many uncaring people are going to use it,
hope this helps!
good luck!