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Yard Nazi

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Okay, I know it's not a mower but it is a walk behind and I would guess most everyone uses some type of a spreader, either a tow behind or a push type. So I have been using a Scott's metal drop spreader for as long as I have used Lawnboys, about 35 years. I gave my bigger Scotts metal spreader to my DIL when I obtained an old, mint condition, 1964 Scott's metal drop spreader that had belonged to my neighbors folks. It works great on the smallish yards that I take care of however when applying product that has to go on wet vegetation, the grass, unless it is cut short ahead of time, drags on the bottom of the spreader and causes the product to get stuck.
So here is my question. Has anyone purchased one of the Scott's Elite spreaders, the new one with the dual rotors and the edge guard? I don't want to stop using my old Scott's and I don't want to spend an arm and a leg on a full commercial grade model. I have mixed feelings about this unit and apparently so do a number of reviewers. Scott's assures me they have a no quibble guarantee for up to 5 years so I don't feel like I would be left holding the bag. I would like to use this for applying the weed and feed to wet vegetation and maybe use it in the winter to apply ice melter.
In checking prices I found there is a local seller on Craigslist that has a year old one for sale for $50.00. I find that in general prices are in the $90 to $110 range locally. I did find, however, that doitbest,com has them listed for $69.99 with a ship to store offer so about $74.89 with tax. From a cosmetic standpoint alone I do like the look of it, although not a primary reason to consider it.
Let me know if anyone has any experience with this model. Not looking for advice on what others to buy or not buy. Thanks, Bill

Scotts Elite Spreader | Scotts

Scotts® Elite Spreader has dual rotors providing increased accuracy and a six foot spread pattern, which means you will make less passes across your yard.
www.scotts.com www.scotts.com
 
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#2 ·
I don't have an elite...but I do have a dlx eco guard if your yard is small enough to cut with a lawn boy..you don't need an elite....broadcast spreaders, whether Scotts or other ...in my opinion....blow away the drop spreaders
 
#3 ·
I've got the Scotts Pro EdgeGuard spreader, going on five years now doing double duty spreading calcium pellets in winter and yard stuff in summer. Zero complaints... gotta pump up the tires once in a while but that's about it. The Edge guard works really well, and for the price it's hard to go wrong imo.
 
#4 ·
Yeah, I've got a Scotts Pro EdgeGuard as well, rarely needs the tires to be filled, like how the rubber wheels grip, as they seem to get much better traction than the ribbed plastic wheels for driving the spreader mechanism.
 
#5 ·
Seems like a lot of low reviews for the Scotts Pro EdgeGuard. Have you guys had any issues like wheels falling off or spinner not turning with material in the hopper?
 
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Discussion starter · #6 ·
Hi Gents! All the comments and input are appreciated however I had hoped that someone out there in MTF land had actually purchased one of the Elite models and would have some real world feedback. I stopped at the local Farm and Fleet and Theisen's and they both stock them however neither store had them on display. I had wanted to look at one again as it has been over a year since I first saw one in person. The Theisen's store said they would get one put together for display if I wanted to view one again. Theisen's has them for $89.99 plus tax and Farm and Fleet has them for $109.99. I can still order one through DoItBest for $69.99 plus tax with their ship to store. I think I will try to view one tomorrow and then order one and see if I like it. Bill
 
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#7 ·
RT3360 said:
Seems like a lot of low reviews for the Scotts Pro EdgeGuard. Have you guys had any issues like wheels falling off or spinner not turning with material in the hopper?
Click to expand...
I haven't had a problem with the wheels or agitator, been using it for 3 or 4 years now. The only problem with it that I've had is the shutoff chute doesn't always close when the lever is released, and I need to manually push it closed.
 
#8 ·
I did find it interesting that the reviews of the EG Pro seem highly biased against from users in the US, while quite favorable from those overseas... I dunno. Anyhow, mine's never given any trouble. I do like the heavier-duty rubber tires, which seems to be the exception these days.

If I were doing it again I'd give the twin-turbo a shot fo' sho'.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Well I pulled the trigger and ordered the Scott's Elite twin rotor spreader through doitbest.com for $74.17 including tax. I did find out some interesting information regarding the operation of the spreader after talking to a customer service manager at Scott's. First, she gave me some information on how to check the factory calibration on the unit so I will do that once it is received. She also told me that a number of the issues that were reported early on have been addressed and the early units have an upgrade kit available although she didn't elaborate what was involved. She also gave me the cut off number for the point in which they started producing the upgraded models. That number was 18059 which was the last of the old so any from 18060 and newer are the revised models. Good information to know as some stores may have old stock. I will check mine when it arrives and the rep said if it happened to be the old stock for some reason that they would send out the upgrade kit. Looking forward to giving this a good test and reporting back. Scott's does have what they cal their no quibble guarantee so if for any reason I am unhappy with the spreader I can receive my money back. They also furnish parts at no charge as long as they are available. Update to follow. Bill
 
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Discussion starter · #11 ·
Well I picked up the spreader Wednesday but haven't had much chance to do much other than assembly and precheck the factory calibration. When you pull the lever to dispense there are 2 openings, left and right. The cable pulls one plastic slide which covers all 4 openings. When checking the calibration at 3 1/2 which is what Scott's recommends I did notice the left side did not open quite as far as the right. I ended up shaving a bit of plastic out on the left, 1/32, and now they open the same. Now just waiting for a decent day to physically check product drop on a given area of cement and weigh and check calibration. Report to follow. So far I am impressed with the build quality however it will never match the quality of my 1964 Scott's drop spreader. The broadcast will not replace the drop spreader but was purchased to supplement it. Bill

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Discussion starter · #12 · (Edited)
Okay had a bit of time today to check the actual drop rate on the Elite spreader. Applied a couple of passes on the driveway and then measured a 10 by 10 area, swept up the product, and weighed it to see how much I was applying per 1000 square feet. The confusing part lies here. The four products that I normally apply, Halts, Weed and Feed, Fertilizer, and Winterguard all have different Scott's settings for drop rates as well as different broadcast rates. The drop settings are #6 for Halts, #5 for Weed and Feed, #6.5 for Fertilizer, and #6.25 for Winterguard. The standard broadcast settings are #3 for Halts, #3.5 for Weed and Feed, #3.5 for Fertilizer, and #3.25 for Winterguard. Scott's lists all these products at a setting of #3.5 on the Elite. Not sure how the drop and regular broadcast settings all vary by product and yet the Elite uses all the same settings.
I came up with these settings for the Elite. #4.25 for the Halts (going to recheck that one tomorrow), #3.5 for the Weed and Feed (same as what Scott's shows), #3.75 for the Fertilizer (.25 more than what Scott's shows), and #3.75 (.25 more than Scott's shows) for the Winterguard.
I know the Halts is a bigger granular product which is why it calculated at a larger setting. There does not seem to be any rhyme or reason from the drop numbers to the broadcast numbers and then to the Elite numbers.
For example, the drop number for Weed and Feed is #5 and the Broadcast number is #3.5 so a lower setting for the broadcast however the drop setting for Winterguard is #6.25 and yet the broadcast number is #3.25. So higher Winterguard drop setting than the Weed and Feed and yet a lower broadcast number for the Weed and Feed.
Makes no sense to me.
Bottom line is this. How many of you actually check your spreader settings against the actual dispensing rate of the product or do you just set it and forget it? Bill
 
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#13 ·
I use feel and forget it. Before getting a scott's spreader with a dial&shutoff valve, I was using a old-school spreader with the combo-lever (which does both rate control and shutoff flow), which was way less consistent than this.
 
#15 ·
I've been eyeing up the Scotts DLX for some time now, watching for it to go on sale. Not only did I not find sale prices of late but rather saw the retail price going up. :( Has the DLX been superseded by Elite or does the Elite just complement the line? My old broadcast spreader is rusting away and almost beyond salvage. I'm sure this will be its last year of service.

I use only one product (fertilizer only, no weed killer) in my broadcast spreader and so calibration has never been a concern. I just roughly gauge how much area one bag covers and adjust accordingly. I do a sparse application with 50% overlap (N/S) and then repeat at a right angle (E/W).

As for a drop spreader, I have a Scotts but I don't use it for spreading fertilizer as I have way too much acreage for that. I use it mainly for calcium chloride on my gravel driveway and for spreading powdered lime. It had a problem with poor traction and so I converted it to all wheel drive.
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
Well here is an update on the Scott's Elite spreader. So today I did my yard with the 1964 Scott's Drop spreader. Still fun to use. Then my next door neighbor also wanted his yard done so I did his very small front yard and boulevard with the drop spreader and then moved on to the larger back yard. So the report so far is 5 stars! Edge guard worked great to get that first perimeter pass down and then away I went. Took no time at all to do his back yard. Spreader rolls very nicely on the foam filled tires and the dual rotors spread the Scott's Halts evenly. I have a couple more lawns to do in the neighborhood and one outside the neighborhood so I will use the Elite entirely on those. If it continues to perform as it did today I will be a happy camper. The main reason I bought it is for the Weed and Feed which has to go on a wet lawn and the Scott's drop spreader would drag the grass and clog the openings. Hopefully the Elite will make these applications go much easier. Updates to follow. Bill
 
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Discussion starter · #18 ·
Thanks! I am video challenged. Some day I will figure out how to take and post a video. Bill
 
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Discussion starter · #20 ·
Good point!! My wife is just being taught how to SnapChat. Maybe I can ask for help. Bill
 
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Yard Nazi
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