Best Drop Spreaders Buying Guide 2020

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If you’re a property owner, the amount of time and effort that you spend taking care of your lawn and gardens can be daunting.

And it’s not just your time – there is a substantial financial investment when you consider all the equipment and products that are required for keep your yard in tip-top shape. But there are ways to help you stay in budget and cut costs where appropriate.

One of the best steps you can take is to make informed choices on the tools that you purchase and fertilizer spreaders are one of the best investments you can make.

Best Drop Spreader Comparison

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What is a drop spreader?

Drop spreaders are quite proficient in their ability to spread grass seed, fertilizer, sidewalk salt and even weed killer with very little waste in the process.

They work just as their name suggests. As they are pushed along, seeds are dropped straight down through holes in the bottom of the hopper.

Unlike a broadcast spreader which spreads seeds over a wide distance, a drop spreader only covers areas it crosses. Broadcast spreaders can cover large areas in a short amount of time, but often throw seed into areas where it isn’t wanted.

Using a drop spreader prevents seed from going anywhere but straight down.

What to Look for in a Drop Spreader

Drop spreaders may be one of the simplest lawn maintenance tools you’ll ever use. It has one purpose which is to drop seed, fertilizer or any other granular substances over your lawn.

Drop spreaders are extremely simple. They have few working parts and are capable of performing one simple task, dropping seed, fertilizer, or any other granular substance.

The most important thing to look for when purchasing is sturdy construction. The plastic hopper used to hold the seed should be solidly built with holes large enough to let sand, seed or fertilizer flow easily through.

The axle and wheels should be durable as well. Most drop spreaders come with wheels that are 10 to 12 inches. This gives ample room for the seed to drop to the ground as the spreader passes over.

It also keeps the hopper high enough off of the ground so that objects it passes over cannot block the holes and obstruct the flow of seed. Most spreaders have solid wheels that are made of extremely durable plastic and are capable of moving over various types of terrain.

The handle on a drop spreader should be high enough for a person to easily push it in front of them. or pull it from behind. The majority of spreaders have adjustable settings so the handles can be raised or lowered as needed, depending on the height of the individual using it.

In some cases, cushions are placed on the handle to improve grip and relieve stress on the hands if there is large amounts of distance to be covered.

Popular Drop Spreader Brands

Scotts Drop Spreaders

Scotts’ line of drop spreaders are well built and easy to use. Their durable construction allows for easy maneuvering and stability. They come with a trigger handle that is designed to control the flow of the seed.

If the trigger is released the holes are covered so that seed will be prevented from pooling under the spreader if it sits in one place. The hopper on most Scotts’ spreaders is 22 inches wide which allows for maximum coverage.

The Turf Builder Classic holds enough Scott’s lawn care product to cover 10,000 square foot of lawn. The spreaders come fully assembled and ready to use.

Agri-fab Drop Spreaders

Agri-fab’s hopper capacity is approximately 17 gallons which will provide coverage over 10,000 square feet. The hopper itself is made of durable plastic polymer and will last several years if taken care of properly.

The Agri-fab drop spreader has a width of 42 inches and spreads evenly along the entire drop zone. It includes a galvanized steel agitator that prevents clumping and allows for even and uniform coverage. Wide, pneumatic tires allows the carriage to roll smoothly over existing grass without creating deep tracks or imprints.

Precision Products Drop Spreaders

Precision Products drop spreaders are well built and large enough to hold 50 pounds of product. It offers a 10 to 2 inch spread pattern. The heavy plastic hopper and steel tube frame provide strength and durability that ensures a long life with proper care.

Seed flow is controlled by a fingertip cable mechanism that allows for constant and uniform delivery. Spreads seed or fertilizer quickly and easily with little mess and less waste.

Earthway Drop Spreaders

Earthway Drop spreaders are designed for many years of use. A steel tube frame and heavy duty plastic polymer hopper are designed to provide years of use and reliable distribution of whatever product is being delivered.

Solid plastic wheels provide smooth transportation and a uniform spread of both seed and fertilizer. A fingertip controlled cable system is in place to ensure the flow of the product is easily maintained at the desired speed. The handle is adjustable to accommodate almost any individual’s height and stature.

Drop spreaders are similar to one another in many ways. Most are easily adjusted to a person’s height and the flow of product can be adjusted through control cables or trigger mechanisms.

The basic concept of the product is to drop seed in a controlled fashion and eliminate needless waste. When it comes to choosing a spreader, many rely on name brands they have used in the past.

Most spreaders carry ratings that will also help a person to choose which one may work best for them.

Our Top Drop Spreader Choices

Scotts Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader

If you’ve got a medium to large-sized lawn, this may be the drop spreader you’ve been searching for. Its hopper can cover up to 10,000 sq feet so no need to stop and refill.

Also, it comes fully assembled so you can get right to work. And it’s made by Scott which is a well-known name in lawn care. On the downside, there are some complaints about the wheels and how they may trap some of the product that you’re spreading.

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Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard Mini Broadcast Spreader

This mini spreader may be small but it is still mighty. It can hold enough seed or fertilizer to cover up to 5,000 sq feet of lawn so certainly enough to cover smaller yards.

Also, this spreader is equipped with EdgeGuard to protect your sidewalks or landscaping. It comes fully assembled so no worries on assembly.

And if you’re limited on space in the garage, you’ll love the fold down handle that allows for easy storage. Given that it is a smaller unit, some people have stated that it is not as sturdy as the Classic Drop Spreader.

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Chapin International 8400C Chapin Professional SureSpread Spreader

Homeowners who live up north need to have a drop spreader that can go beyond simple yard maintenance. You need equipment that will help you spread ice melt and salt to your driveway, walkways and other areas.

The Chapin 8400C with its stainless steel frame and enclosed gear box is an excellent choice to get your through all four seasons. This model also comes with 14-inch wide pneumatic tires so it can handle whatever terrain you have.

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Agri-Fab 45-0288 175-Pound Max Tow Behind Drop Spreader

If you’re a homeowner with lots of acreage you need to look into this tow behind spreader. The universal hitch fit makes it a breeze to connect to whatever tractor you are using.

Also, the hopper holds up to 17 gallons which is enough to cover one square acre. And finally, the steel agitator will help your spreader to be productive for years.

On the downside, this model does not come fully assembled so be prepared to dedicate a few hours to get it put together.

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Summary

As you can see, there is a wide range of drop spreaders available.

For the majority of us, the Scott's Turf Builder Classic (Amazon link) is more than sufficient to meet our needs in throughout the spring and into late summer.

If you’ve got a larger area then you may require a tow behind model (Amazon link).

And for those that have harsh winters and plan on spreading salt or ice melt, you may need to invest in the Chapin 8400C (Amazon link).

Regardless of the particular model you choose, a drop spreader can only help you with equal and consistent spreading so that you can achieve your lawn care goals.