Since the quantity applied depends upon the physical properties of the material, the same settings cannot be used for different materials, even if the ratios are the same. Once the spreader is calibrated and set for the proper rate, any size area can be treated accurately. Example of calibration trial results from No. 7. Check the spreader to make certain all parts are operating properly. Make the application on bare ground or hard surface where the width of surface covered by the material can be measured.
More material is applied toward the center and less at the edges.
The other 2 feet on each edge respectively receive much less material than the center area. Mark off a test distance which when multiplied by the effective width will give you a 1000 square foot area. Then the test strip will be 100 feet long since width times length is 10 x 100 or 1000 square feet. Determine the amount of material to be applied. Fill the hopper with a known weight of fertilizer and adjust the spreader to the lowest setting which will allow the material to flow.