Information About A Lime Spreader

Lime is not some kind of a fertilizer as some people may think. It is better to think of it as a soil conditioner. It is added into the soil to primarily correct the soil acidity. In addition to controlling soil acidity, it also regulates the amount of phosphorus, zinc, copper, some bacteria, magnesium, and calcium. On small pieces of land, the substance can be applied by hand. However, on large tracts a lime spreader becomes useful.

Most spreaders need to be attached onto haulers like trucks or animals such as horses and donkeys. Small spreaders can be pulled or pushed by hand. Depending on size, they may have single or double pairs of wheels. Since they are very heavy, a trail of wheel prints is left behind wherever they pass. For this reason, they need to be used on empty pieces of land that does not have crops on it. They can damage young plants very much.

Spreaders have varying volumes. Bigger commercial makes can hold tons of lime whilst small models only accommodate a handful. Unless the device is for leasing, the volume chosen should depend on size of lawn or farm and frequency of utilization. The bins which accommodate the conditioner may be constructed of alloys, metals, plastics, or timber at times. Choosing the material of the bin should be done carefully because lime corrodes some materials.

The mode of discharging pellets differs with the model. The pellets may come out continuously or at intervals. The mode a machine uses is indicated on the product manual supplied by the seller at purchase time. The rate can be adjusted in machines that discharge pellets at intervals. According to experts, the conditioner needs to be applied at an interval. Interval of application and amount applied should be dictated by how acidic the soil is.

Latest models comprise of more than one bin. They also can be used for multiple purposes such as applying fertilizer and other soil additives. Normally one bin can hold the lime while the others hold different substances. Application can also occur at the same time. This is advantageous because it saves a lot on fuel for driving the howler around the land applying different additives. Large scale farmers find this feature very important.

When purchasing a spreader, the point of connection and the method of connection should be considered. Problems may arise during connecting because some hinges may not be compatible. The way the bin is shaped is essential in order to prevent contents from pouring during movement. Calibrated bins provide a means of gauging how much lime has been used.

It is also worth considering extra accessories such as rear lights and spare wheels. To maintain good performance of brands on the market, most producers integrate latest technologies like hydraulic spinner systems. Rusting is a common problem due to moisture and humidity in the working environment. This makes it worthwhile to consider products constructed from stainless steel.

The price may be a challenging matter too. If one is not sure about the cost, it would be better to compare among various manufacturers. A combination of cost and features that proves to be the best is the one to settle for.