Time for another fertilization calibration quiz

[Ric]

When it comes to a real world application, the technique employed by Mr. Kessler will give you an ACTUAL amount thrown by the spreader. Kaiser Stone's method will give you an answer that is THEORETICAL, and its accuracy can only be tested in the real world. While Kaiser Stone may have achieved a high degree of accuracy in his prediction, nothing beats a real world measurement.

Calibration="this is how much we WANT it to throw"

Measurement="this is how much it DID throw"

Woody

Woody

Let us not forget the measurement of DISTRIBUTION of the material thrown.

However before I tear into this thread, I would like to have some one work the simple math of Professor Stone's first Question about Ground Speed of the application device and how it effects THEORETICAL application rates.

Now remember the first thing in any Chemical application should be the ability to do the math of Calibration. It is no good to read the label if you are unable to apply the product in a reasonable fashion.

[Ric]

I would like to have some one work the simple math of Professor Stone's first Question about Ground Speed of the application device and how it effects THEORETICAL application rates.

Dick has a fertilizer company and used a Lesco spreader.

Jane has a fertilizer company and uses a Lesco truckster.

Spot is Dick and Jane's favorite dog. Spot likes to run.

Lesco uses the same calibration system on both Spreaders.

Lesco calibrates at a ground speed of 3 MPH.

See Dick push the lesco spreader at 3 MPH.

See Jane use a lawn mower to carry the Lesco Truckster Spreader at 3 MPH.

See spot Run.

See Dick push spread 46-0-0 Fertilizer at calibration gage Number 12 to get 2.17 lbs of produce per thousands square feet. or one pound of actual nitrogen per thousand square feet. At 3 MPH

see Jane ride and spread 46-0-0 Fertilizer at calibration Gage Number 12 to get 2.17 lbs of produce per thousands square feet. or one pound of actual nitrogen per thousand square feet. AT 3 MPH

See spot run along beside the spreaders.

See Dick get tired and push the spreader at 1.9 MPH or 63% of the former Ground Speed.

See Jane laugh at Dick and speed up to 4.5 MPH on her ride on spreader or 150% faster ground speed.

See Spot stop running long enough to lift his leg on the first grade Reading Riting and Rithmetic book.

[hamons]

Ok -- I'm going to bite on this one. Usually I don't get drawn into these games but ....

When I spread fert I use a push spreader -- so all this is new to me.

Assuming Lesco bases their calibrations on a speed of 3.0mph and spreading to your tire tracks then this is really an easy problem.

3.0 mph is our base -- 2.2# of product 1#N

1.9mph ------- 1.386# of product .637#N

3.0mph -------- 2.2# of product 1#N

3.9mph -------- 2.86# of product 1.3#N

4.5mph -------- 3.3# of poduct 1.5#N


As far as bonus question: If I was going to change the guage setting -- I wouldn't do it woithout a true calibration. If I was going to go at 1.9mph I would start at #8. But... I doubt a sticky fert like Urea would even spread at that opening out of my spreader. 4.5mph I would probably start at 18 -- and then run as fast as I could.

[Ric]

Ok -- I'm going to bite on this one. Usually I don't get drawn into these games but ....

When I spread fert I use a push spreader -- so all this is new to me.

Assuming Lesco bases their calibrations on a speed of 3.0mph and spreading to your tire tracks then this is really an easy problem.

3.0 mph is our base -- 2.2# of product 1#N

1.9mph ------- 1.386# of product .637#N

3.0mph -------- 2.2# of product 1#N

3.9mph -------- 2.86# of product 1.3#N

4.5mph -------- 3.3# of poduct 1.5#N


As far as bonus question:

If I was going to change the guage setting -- I wouldn't do it woithout a true calibration. If I was going to go at 1.9mph I would start at #8. But... I doubt a sticky fert like Urea would even spread at that opening out of my spreader. 4.5mph I would probably start at 18 -- and then run as fast as I could.

Jeff

Great to see an intelligent life form here at Lawnservice. There are so few that frequent this forum.

Yes, you got past the Dick and Jane reading level that no one else here was able to do. No this was not a trick question and as far as bonus question goes I would approach it in the field the same way.

However I promised to address the bonus question if someone answered the first part. You have already stolen most of my thunder on the bonus Question.

The Bonus Question:

Asks what setting to use to spread 1# N per thousands at different speeds. Jeff has given the only real answer to this question.

If I was going to change the guage setting -- I wouldn't do it without a true calibration. If I was going to go at 1.9mph I would start at #8. But... I doubt a sticky fert like Urea would even spread at that opening out of my spreader. 4.5mph I would probably start at 18 -- and then run as fast as I could.

"WITHOUT TRUE CALIBRATION" Yep I think this is what this whole thread is about. If you can't do the math then you can't truly calibrate and you have no business appling pesticides. Now Jeff said he would start at Gage 8 or 18 depending on his speed. In other words He would start with a guess of the correct gage size. Why a guess, why not a an mathematical true number? Because all spreaders are different and even the gage is a starting point. Without a true calibration test you never know if the gage is correct.

Now a news Flash. You should calibrate for each batch of material you spread. Why? because each has a different prill size, Particle size distribution, Particle size weight, and bulk density.

Now consisted Ground speed and throw are the key to spreading material evenly. Here is where the Stone-A-Green has all the rest beat even as ugly as it is. The electric truckster has a constant speed broad cast wheel and the Gear drive Toro should have a constant ground speed.

There is a lot of minor points in this thread that each could be blown up into a book by itself. When I teach a class I normally get paid. Therefore I am not going to offer any more information unless asked by someone about a special point.

[lorenzo piedra]

Harmons,

Are you a full time public school teacher?

[hamons]

Yes -- I teach first grade

[Ric]

Jeff

After re-reading your answers this morning, I realize i have fallen victim to my own math trap. You did not invert the faction. Therefore you gave close answers but in the reverse order.

[hamons]

You know what -- your right!

Had it right whe I did it on my paper here -- but turned it around when I typed it in. Common sense would tell you go slower and uyoure putting down MOR E product and go faster and you are putting down LESS product.

Oh well -- I'll stick to first grade math!

[lorenzo piedra]

Harmons,

You can redeem yourself by answering part two.

Maybe the shop teacher will let you borrow a dial caliper!!!

I mentioned using a push spreader as a complete diversionary tactic. Because the push spreader is ground driven and by not staying near the 3 mph standard pace the impeller speed is changed therefore the width of throw changes and accuracy goes down the hopper.

[hamons]

Lorenzo, am I missing part 2 or are you referring to the bonus question.

[lorenzo piedra]

Yes go for the bonus question!!!

[hamons]

ARe you telling me to try again?

Are you telling me to try again?

As far as bonus question: If I was going to change the guage setting -- I wouldn't do it woithout a true calibration. If I was going to go at 1.9mph I would start at #8. But... I doubt a sticky fert like Urea would even spread at that opening out of my spreader. 4.5mph I would probably start at 18 -- and then run as fast as I could.