Deciding Between a Broadcast or Drop Spreader

When it comes to choosing a spreader, there are many different options. Some are handheld, some can be pushed along and some are even able to be towed. Alongside this comes the trickier decision, whether to go for a broadcast or drop spreader. There are a few different factors to consider before choosing which type of spreader you go for – this blog will take you through what a broadcast and drop spreader are and what their advantages and disadvantages are.

What is a Broadcast Spreader?

A broadcast spreader (often referred to as a rotary spreader) is designed to spread fertiliser, seeds and salt. These spreaders work by broadcasting the fertiliser/seed in all different directions. The hopper is positioned above a spinning disc which, once the product is pouring over it, drops the contents out an away from the spreader usually at a larger width than the actual spreader itself.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Broadcast Spreader

There are many advantages of a broadcast spreader. To begin with they are able to cover a wider area quickly as they throw the product to a larger width, coincidently this also means that jobs can be completed in less time than they would take with another type of spreader. As a result of the previous points, these spreaders are great for use in medium to large sized areas as they can cover these areas in a shorter amount of time making the task much less of a chore.

Along with the advantages there are some disadvantages to these types of spreaders. To start with they aren’t the best if you are wanting to only target certain areas as they don’t necessarily just cover the areas that you are walking they spread out and wide. Coupled with this, they are sometimes not ideal if there are a lot of obstacles in the way such as paths or ornamental features as you could just end up with a lot of wasted product that has been spread onto a path that doesn’t need it.

What is a Drop Spreader?

A drop spreader releases the product on specific spots as it is either pushed or towed along over these points. Differing from the broadcast spreader, drop spreaders do not throw the fertiliser out instead they drop them over the areas that the spreader is rolled over.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Drop Spreader

Drop spreaders tend to be a more accurate spreader. This is due to the fact that product is only released over the areas that it is rolled over. To coincide with this, drop spreaders spread more evenly than a broadcast spreader due to its spreading pattern. As a result of their more accurate targeting this also means that there is a reduced amount of waste of valuable product.

Again there are some disadvantages to the drop spreader. Due to its spread pattern it takes a lot longer to do a job as it is only spreading where you have walked rather than out and around like a broadcast spreader meaning it really isn’t suited to a larger area unless you are using a towable drop spreader as this wouldn’t take as much man-power. It can be easy to overdose product using a drop spreader as it concentrates on one area at a time so you could easily get more product on than you had intended which can be damaging to the grass causing scorched lawn. Alongside this if you are not very accurate in where you are applying fertiliser you could end up with patches that haven’t received any and be left with different coloured stripes on the lawn! Finally if the spreader wobbles over a dip/hump on the ground this can cause you to easily miss the patches it has gone over and you won’t necessarily realise.

So, What Should I Purchase?

Our advice would be to take into consideration all of the different advantages and disadvantages we have highlighted. Everyone has different needs however if you have a medium to large sized area a broadcast spreader would make your job load a lot easier to get through whereas if you had a smaller garden and wanted to do more intricate and accurate spreading, a drop spreader would be well suited.

Check out our vast range of spreaders here

If you have any questions or would like some more advice on what would be best for you, give our technical advisers a call on 01778 394052.