John Deere Pull-Behind Broadcast Spreader Settings for Grass Seed

Using a broadcast spreader to apply grass seed to a lawn gets the job done faster and more evenly than doing it manually. Pull-behind broadcast spreaders made by John Deere are attached to a tractor to tow around a lawn. The settings for spreading grass seed will depend on the type of seed you are applying.

Flow Control Setting

The amount of grass seed put out by the spreader depends on the flow setting. A faster flow means more seed is deposited on the yard with each pass of the spreader. On John Deere spreaders, you will notice the flow control setting with numbers from zero to 10. A setting of zero completely closes the hopper, and a setting of 10 has it fully open. The size of the opening is based on the size of the grass seed you are spreading.

Factors Affecting Flow

When setting a John Deere spreader for grass seed, two factors play a role in the level you set the spreader. The amount of grass seed in pounds it takes to cover 1,000 square feet and the type of grass seed both determine the flow setting. Look at the package for the pounds of grass seed it takes to cover 1,000 square feet. All settings are based on a forward speed of the pull-behind spreader of 3 mph.

Grass Seed Types and Settings

For John Deere broadcast spreaders with model numbers LP25010, LP25011 and LP25012, use the grass seed type for setting the flow control. Bent grass or red top seed with a density of 0.5 pounds per 1,000 square feet should be set at 1.5 on the flow setting with a 4-foot spread. Kentucky bluegrass, delta, merion and park grass seeds with 0.5 density should be set to 2.5 on the flow control with a 4-foot spread. Grasses with a density of 2.0 should be spread over 6 feet. These include hulled Bermuda with a 2.75 setting, rye grasses and tall fescues with a setting of 6 and mixed grass seeds with a setting of 6. Dichondra should be spread over 8 feet. When it has a 0.25 density, the setting should be 1.90. Pensacola Bahia with a 4.0 density should be set at 4.5 and spread over 7 feet. Consult the manual for more densities and their settings.

Settings Based on Density

The density is used with John Deere broadcast spreader model LPBS36JD. This equates the pounds per 1,000 square feet that the grass seed uses with a flow setting. For density up to 1.9, use a flow setting of 1.0. Set the flow at 1.5 for densities between 2.0 and 2.9. For 3.0 to 4.9 pounds per 1,000 square feet, set the spreader to 2.0. If it takes 5.0 to 6.9 pounds to cover 1,000 square feet, set the flow to 2.5. A setting of 3.0 is needed for grass seed that will cover 1,000 square feet with 7 to 8.9 pounds. Set the dial to 3.5 for density between 9 and 10.9. For grass seeds with 11 to 12.9 pounds to cover 1,000 square feet, set the flow to 4.0. For calibrations up to 10, consult the user manual link.