Scotts SpeedyGreen 3000 - You too can have your own green thumb...
Written: May 31 '01 (Updated Jun 06 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Even distribution of fertilizer/seeds. Easy to operate. Durable.
Cons: Flow-control mechanism a little flaky. Plastic tires don't grip well enough.
The Bottom Line: A top-quality and large capacity broadcast spreader that easily handles the big jobs, but is just as apt at the smaller ones too.
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| jag2112's Full Review: Scotts Speedygreen 3000 |
Lawn Maintenance.
To some, it's a chore. To others, a science. And still others, an art form. But regardless of how you view the task of maintaining your lawn and keeping it weed-free, there is one aspect that most people agree on - periodic fertilization.
And when it comes to fertilizing or spreading weed control down on your lawn, you have 4 choices:
Broadcast Spreaders like the Scotts SpeedyGreen 3000 I'm reviewing here.
Drop Spreaders which do just that - drop the material you want to distribute on the ground as you push it along.
Hand Spreaders which are meant for small jobs. They work like a broadcast spreader, but are less accurate and a bit more messy.
By Hand - yes, it is an option. Grab a handful of fertilizer and throw it on your lawn. Hey, it is the cheapest solution after all...
Background Information
A broadcast spreader, unlike a drop spreader, works by distributing the fertilizer across a wide area of lawn. This is accomplished by a propeller-like device which spins while you push the spreader along. The fertilizer falls into the blades which are then propelled outward in a circular pattern. The reason for selecting a broadcast spreader over a drop spreader is based on two factors. First, the size of your lawn and second personal preference. Some people swear by their drop spreaders because they're more accurate than their broadcast counterparts. But since they cover less area, you'll have more work to do when using them. But when you have over an acre of lawn area to cover like I do, you can't settle for anything less than a broadcast spreader like the SpeedyGreen 3000.
Operation
The SpeedyGreen 3000 series is the largest consumer broadcast spreader made by Scotts. It can easily handle over 50 lbs of fertilizer or more with relative ease. On the handle is the control-flow mechanism. Basically, this allows you to adjust the amount of fertilizer that drops out of the spreader while you're walking along. So far, I've found this mechanism to be a little flaky at best - especially when you've already loaded the material into the hopper. But with a little play, you can usually get the results you are looking for.
Pushing the spreader, depending on how much material you're hauling, is relatively easy. Although I've found that the plastic tires can actually slip on a semi-wet lawn. Rubber tires, while a little more expensive, would have been a better way to go here.
The distribution of the fertilizer on this broadcast spreader is exceptional. Depending on your walking speed, you can pretty much guarantee a spreading width of 10 feet or more - which certainly makes large jobs a little easier to handle. And since the handle is made of a soft foam material, your hands rarely tire of holding and pushing the spreader along its merry way.
Durability and Maintenance
The hopper is made of a durable green plastic which seems to stand up to the pressure and weight of a full load of fertilizer exceptionally well. The plastic is also light-weight, so it adds little mass to overall spreader. As previously mentioned, the tires are also light-weight plastic which can handle the heavy load, but not as well as rubber tires would have. The handle is made of a durable metal tube, so there are no issues there. The broadcast spreader mechanism is also made of durable plastic. Since there is little metal here, there's little that can rust. Subsequently, clean up is a snap - just hose it off, turn it upside-down to drain, and you're done.
Summing Up
For a large job, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better broadcast spreader than the Scotts SpeedyGreen 3000. Even with its minor faults, this is a great spreader at a great price. It'll make a lawn doctor out of you in no time.
Enjoy and thanks for reading...
Recommended:
Yes
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jag2112
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Member: John
Location: Clinton, NJ
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