Spreading Info About Fertilizer Setup
May 12, 2026
Fertilizer season is upon us, and whether you own your spreader or rent one (we know a good place!), giving it a thorough examination before use will help spread the wealth evenly all over your fields.
If you own your spreader, be sure to give it a quick once-over to make sure it’s in good shape before hitting the fields. “To be accurate, you will want to make sure the spinner blades are in good shape,” said Federated custom application manager Craig Lysne. “If the blades appear to have a rough “waffle-like” wear mark, it’s time to replace them.”
Be sure to check the general condition of:
Once you have loaded your spreader, verify the rate and density of the blend you will be spreading. Check and double-check this so you obtain your desired rate.
“When you hit the field, I recommend walking the field after you have spread some fertilizer,” Lysne said. “By doing so, you can get a good look at the spread pattern. Make sure it is even all the way across, and that you can’t tell where one pass ends and the other begins. Remember that there is some overlap factored into the spread pattern.”
Examining your spreader’s condition also extends to rental machines. While we at Federated pride ourselves in keeping rental equipment in tip-top shape, it’s important to double-check before use.
“Sometimes, things happen with the previous renter that are not brought to our attention,” Lysne said. “Once the spreader shows up in your yard, always check the spreader settings. It is the customer’s responsibility to verify the spreader setting.”
As with an owned spreader, Lysne encourages everyone to walk the spread pattern with a Federated spreader. “Every tractor brand is slightly different in its definition of PTO SPEED,” he said. “Walking the spread pattern will help determine if your machine’s PTO speed is correct.”
When spreading urea in hot, humid weather, make sure the diverters in the back above the spinners are clean. This controls where the fertilizer lands on the spinner, which also affects the spread pattern directly.
Lysne encourages all potential renters to sign up now. “Spreader rentals are a hot commodity this time of year,” he said. “But if we don’t have one in the yard for you, we will soon.”
For more information about spreader settings or rentals, contact your Federated Agronomist.
If you own your spreader, be sure to give it a quick once-over to make sure it’s in good shape before hitting the fields. “To be accurate, you will want to make sure the spinner blades are in good shape,” said Federated custom application manager Craig Lysne. “If the blades appear to have a rough “waffle-like” wear mark, it’s time to replace them.”
Be sure to check the general condition of:
- Bearings
- Gearboxes
- Chains
- Any moving parts
Once you have loaded your spreader, verify the rate and density of the blend you will be spreading. Check and double-check this so you obtain your desired rate.
“When you hit the field, I recommend walking the field after you have spread some fertilizer,” Lysne said. “By doing so, you can get a good look at the spread pattern. Make sure it is even all the way across, and that you can’t tell where one pass ends and the other begins. Remember that there is some overlap factored into the spread pattern.”
Examining your spreader’s condition also extends to rental machines. While we at Federated pride ourselves in keeping rental equipment in tip-top shape, it’s important to double-check before use.
“Sometimes, things happen with the previous renter that are not brought to our attention,” Lysne said. “Once the spreader shows up in your yard, always check the spreader settings. It is the customer’s responsibility to verify the spreader setting.”
As with an owned spreader, Lysne encourages everyone to walk the spread pattern with a Federated spreader. “Every tractor brand is slightly different in its definition of PTO SPEED,” he said. “Walking the spread pattern will help determine if your machine’s PTO speed is correct.”
When spreading urea in hot, humid weather, make sure the diverters in the back above the spinners are clean. This controls where the fertilizer lands on the spinner, which also affects the spread pattern directly.
Lysne encourages all potential renters to sign up now. “Spreader rentals are a hot commodity this time of year,” he said. “But if we don’t have one in the yard for you, we will soon.”
For more information about spreader settings or rentals, contact your Federated Agronomist.