Scotts Broadcast Spreader Driveway Test | Buyer Beware |

Before you use these on you lawn, test to understand the pattern they produce. #thedrivewaychallenge
See my other spreader videos.

[@majfeb17]

Exactly my problem!!! Couldn't think of why it was leaving such heavy lines in my yard and now I know!! Great video!!

[@TommyTester]

Yup, it's ridiculous.

[@rotarycomptech]

I’m glad you put this video out. I was thinking of doing the same thing. I bought one of those about eight or 10 years ago and hated it so much that I called the factory to complain. They acted like I was a complete idiot. I threw the spreader away and got a used Lesco broadcaster, which worked great for years 8 to be exact, my girlfriend bought me a new Scotts spreader for my birthday the same kind I had an issue with. You can imagine how that conversation went.

[@bernardoconnor7454]

I work so hard on my lawn. Thank you so much. I used my Scott's just yesterday. Never again,. Thank you thank you.

[@TommyTester]

You are so welcome!

[@SuzyJarman]

Brilliant! Thank you. I am about to purchase one of these spreaders. So pleased I watched this video. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@keithp115]

Just bought a Scotts DLX this week, and found your post today. Wish I would have done more research!

[@rickmcbryer1122]

Thank you!!!! I couldn’t understand why my lawn was greener where along the path I walked behind the rotary spreader. Very helpful!

[@TommyTester]

Glad it helped!

[@jodygrimmett3745]

Wow!!.Thank you sir. I learned something today. I was about to buy the Scott spreader but after seeing your video...I now know what to look for. Very helpful to a first time buyer. 👍🏽

[@TommyTester]

Good luck!

[@Route32rg]

Best spreader vider ever!! Wow, just like the previous comment, I never thought of looking at this.

[@Adrian-yu6ti]

Yep , I ended up with stripes and checkerboard lines despite being very careful. My mind is blown. Thank you so much

[@TommyTester]

Bummer!!

[@Neejay]

Man, thank you for sharing!!! I was wondering why I had clumped up and extra granules on the inside of the wheels + trails. I'll be buying the red one, as one seen it used on other yard channels. Thanks again!!

[@woofinu]

Excellent testing method. I learned something new. Thank you.

[@TommyTester]

You are welcome!

[@osublows17]

Edge guard does the same thing. Wish I saw this video first. Who would think Scott's coult screw up such a simple task...

[@danvitous1085]

I've had mine for a few years. It wasn't til I started seeing posts this year about striping did I really bothered to notice, and sure enough... I got stripes! Mighta been there last year, but definitely this year.

[@tomdurkins]

If you see a company advertising on TV buy the competitors product that doesn’t advertise. Works every time and will save you tens of thousands of dollars over a lifetime. And if you apply this to food you’ll also live a heather life.

[@Jet7Xcountry]

Lol I mean that's probably somewhat true but not a guarantee ​@@tomdurkins

[@donallen7830]

Thanks...going to buy a broadcast spreader today...you might have saved me.

[@CLT_NC]

Kudos and thank you for sharing. I thought the Scott’s Mini Broadcast Spreader I purchased would be perfect for the three small areas of sod on my property. After watching your video, I returned the Mini, and hope to find a better option.

[@jkprojectsnstuff697]

This is something I've never thought about! Thank you. I'm taking my Scotts spreader back and I'll be looking for any spreader that has the broadcaster above the wheels. Subscribed and looking forward to watching more of your videos.

[@jasweb147]

A year later, which did you purchase. I need a new spreader, Scotts is the worst!

[@jkprojectsnstuff697]

@@jasweb147 Sorry for the late reply. I ended up getting the GroundWork spreader from Tractor Supply. It has air pneumatic tires and moves well across the grass. Although I'm not in love with it, it has worked out better than the Scotts spreader.

[@jasweb147]

@@jkprojectsnstuff697 Thanks for the reply. I purchased the Scotts Elite spreader a couple of weeks ago. It is far better than their previous lines of spreader (if your lawn is not bumpy) and I was quiet impressed. The impeller sits above the wheels and it had a nice spread pattern. I ended up returning it because I would need pneumatic tires for my bumpy lawn. I decided to purchase a nice backpack sprayer and I'm going with a liquid program now.

[@toddolatheks.1328]

You should forward this video to Scotts. Thanks 🙏

[@tomdurkins]

Scott’s won’t care. The have spent millions in advertising to build their name. They know people are lazy and will just buy the name they recognize.

[@MsLincos]

Thank you for the vid Tommy, very useful!

[@TommyTester]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DBK155]

That explains what happened to my yard & the stripes. Bought a Scotts spreader & fertilizer & did it myself the first time.

[@TRUMP_WAS_RIGHT_ABOUT_EVRYTHNG]

Excellent video! I have been wondering why the hell my lawn has the extra green stripes! I'm gonna try to fix this Scott's rotary spreader today!

[@davebaer8504]

Thank so much for your video. Helped me make the decision to avoid the Scotts spreader.

[@TommyTester]

Glad it was helpful!

[@williambuyarski2070]

Great job...exactly what happened, now I know why! Thank you!

[@TommyTester]

You're welcome!

[@jonm3255]

Hi Tommy, I know the folks at Scotts R&D very well and forwarded this on to them. I know who worked on the Scotts Elite and can tell you a lot of time was put into testing the particle distribution. The dual rotor makes a huge difference in balancing the left to right distribution.

[@andrewlucas1595]

Great, but that doesn't change the fact that all these are dog shit.

[@garyraynes]

Tommy T, thanks for taking the time to demonstrate and post the video. I just threw out an almost new DLX spreader because of the striping. They've been doing this for how long, and can't put out a well designed, affordable broadcast spreader? I'm done with Scott's products. Fortunately, there are options. Thanks again.

[@TommyTester]

Glad it helped

[@bloophero]

Just buying my first spreader, Earthway it is! Thanks Tommy, I very nearly bought a Scott one (I guess they're priced accordingly).

[@TommyTester]

Good choice!

[@daweller]

1st video I have seen where someone just uses the darn thing with no fancy music or talking. Thanks

[@petedetraglia4776]

I've used the Scotts mini spreader with edge guard and never noticed a center heavy striping in my grass. I use the 4.5 setting on my spreader and don't over lap my pattern. It may be center heavy on the pavement but never had any issues with lawn striping. Also almost every time I fertilize I water it in directly after spreading and again never have any issues...I could imagine if you use the wrong setting such as a high number than on the fertilizer bag you may have issues. Overlapping is the #1 issue for stripping or burning your lawn. Also I never fertilize in high heat or direct sunlight. Usually close to dusk when the temperatures are lower...

[@sjgoff]

For the people experiencing "striping" in the lawn after fertilizing. The number one cause, is too much overlap. Make sure your passes are 5 feet apart. I helped my neighbor a couple years ago having this problem. I could see he was only moving over a couple feet between passes. He doesn't have any striping issues now. We both use the Scotts edge guard.

[@SageOftheSubway]

Well, I'll be darned. No wonder I had stripes last summer.

[@TommyTester]

Yup.

[@t-rev525]

I put a large nut under the spreader part. It raised the spreader with my scale laying on it around 1/4 inch above the wheels. I also cut out cardboard to place on the inside of the wheels. Seems to work a little better.

[@TommyTester]

Great idea!

[@SUPERSTROKE333]

this worked to prevent stripes?

[@bellefive2990]

The spreader rotates but the gearbox housing is stationary. The large nut you put in as a spacer will rub against either the spreader or the gearbox housing when it is in use.

[@user-rk2tz3ew8o]

Will 10” pneumatic tires (wheels) added to the DLX spreader fix the stripe problem?

[@marvinwinter301]

I had purchased a Scott’s spreader with edge guard and found the same thing when applying fertilizer it would leave a line from hitting the wheel. I complained to Scott’s online and also complained to a Scott’s representative at Home Depot with no results, I even sent pictures. I ended up returning the spreader to Home Depot.

[@TommyTester]

Thanks for sharing

[@hankmancil178]

That is why I use a drop spreader for fertilizer application( accuracy is important) and a rotary spreader for lawn insect preventer application (accuracy not as important). Of course my lawn size is conducive to using these two methods.

[@justinwillieradl2209]

I learned this the hard way. Now I have a zebra yard, at least for a few weeks......

[@TommyTester]

Sorry to hear that. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@pastelsliderz3097]

Same here! Learned the hard way any mine broke after a few months. It’s better to spend the money and get a quality spreader

[@DBK155]

Me too. Scott's edgegard

[@lfgillesby]

I just bought the DLX and using the same straight edge method, it looks to clear the wheel by a good 1/2". Maybe they redesigned their impeller

[@HotDog88GT]

I use the neighbor's Scott's Speedy Green. Perhaps I'll find another spreader.

[@hawaiiantimes7702]

So much complaints on Scott’s spreaders, you would think the company would fix the problem lol. I got the Scott’s DLX edge guard and I got dem stripes as well. The hollow open wheels acts as a catcher then disperses your fert in a straight line. It’s even worse when the lawn is damp. I’m on my 3rd season with it and now I’m off to Home Depot to pick up the Echo RB 60. Hope it works because it starts to get into the $200-$300 range for spreaders.

[@eu3145]

How about the Scotts Easy Green model? Seems like the spreader is above the wheels!

[@michaelmalone9062]

I bought a Scotts Mini edge guard and noticed a big problem with lines. Why can't they do it right?

[@A.C.71]

ffs, of course I was just about to use my easy green to spread fertilizer for a brand new lawn. I guess im also raking it in afterward and same with the grass seed later so hopefully it will be good enough.

[@sangueguerriero9538]

Thank you

[@TommyTester]

You're welcome

[@jmack619]

wire spoked wheels would fix ?

[@kurtrundell6834]

The DLX streaked by bermudagrass. It's a crap spreader. My front yard is now a checkerboard. It wasn't what I was doing, it was the fact the paddle is lower than the wheels, and throws the granules into the recessed wheel -- which, of course, drops the granules right onto the grass in a line.

[@TommyTester]

YUP! Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@facebookmakesmesick]

Mine looked like norhjng was coming out on 4.5. Is that normal

[@toddolatheks.1328]

Scott’s design team needs to be kicked in the butt. That’s so ridiculous! I own I guess what you would call the medium grade to 1500 square-foot model and I find it the wheels itself drag more than a span I really wish they would’ve put even a rubber coating around that plastic wheel I’m looking for videos right now to see if I can replace them with a different wheel rubber wheel. Thanks 🙏

[@tsnstt]

What’s the swath spreading distance on this one

[@jasweb147]

How does the Scotts Elite compare?

[@love101a3]

Thx

[@geeemqu]

Which Earthway model is that?

[@CncObsession]

Not much better than visual proof in testing! Excellent presentation.

[@TommyTester]

Thanks.

[@sevensaturn5442]

Really!?

[@TeslaBoy123]

I found this problem yesterday when i was using spreader on a new seeding lawn very bad feeling i smell a bad wheel design on all those spreader

[@stevenmoomey2115]

I have one of those pieces off junk. It was brand new, and I was spreading Scott’s Fertilizer with it and realized it was it wasn’t spreading anywhere near the amount of Fertilizer it was supposed to. They told me to check the gate using a Drill bit Shank. It was way off, told me to send them a 3” piece of the insulated cable, and I’d get a voucher for a new unit. Sent it with tracking, they said they never got the cable piece, which was taped to cardboard, inside a padded envelope. Now I have a Spreader that is completely useless.

[@donw758]

Look up dbcs letter machine on KZbin. These machines process about 35 to 40k letters per hour and are not made for letters with any foreign objects in them. I can almost guarantee your letter jammed and got shredded, including the 5 or so letters that entered the machine behind yours. This sometimes damages the address on the envelope beyond recognition. They are probably being truthful about not receiving it. Sucks that had to happen but it’s all automated and stuff like keys will most likely not make it through these machines.

[@stevenmoomey2115]

@@donw758 What?

[@donw758]

I’m guessing you it the part in an envelope? If that’s the case then it probably got torn up in the machine. When you send a letter it runs through a DBCS multiple times and there are videos on KZbin of them in operation

[@stevenmoomey2115]

@@donw758 They got it per the Tracking Number, and it was sent in a USPS Padded Envelope.

[@donw758]

If Scott’s got it according to the tracking # then then they are being shady I guess. That would stop me from buying Scott’s products in the future myself. Sucks that you gotta go through that. Hope it work out for you.

[@princevillekauainorthshore736]

Damn, I had this issue today! I use the edge guard and the lawn looks horrible from theses lines.

[@TommyTester]

Yup.

[@princevillekauainorthshore736]

@@TommyTester first time customer w like 3000 feet of sod too. Looks horrible.

[@michaelsanders9147]

I wanted to see the Earthway because I need a replacement for my Scotts spreader. I put down seed with the Scotts Edgeguard DLX and it left very heavy lines of seed. I had to go out with a blower to try and disperse the lines which took me more time than throwing it down by hand. Complete engineering catastrophe. Now I'll have spots where the grass is too thick and spots where I'm lacking coverage. I barely had enough seed and now I'll have to buy more expensive seed. Wish I'd realized what a disaster the Scotts spreaders are before I put down the seed. My old Speedy Green Scotts spreader may not have put things down perfectly evenly, but it's much better than what they have now. I refuse to believe they tested the new spreaders. Total garbage.

[@bv2999]

Would have been nice to demo the Earthway just to Illustrate to Coverage. it would also show the superior Craftsmenship of the unit.

[@TommyTester]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIqcfZiuaquSb7s

[@CoroaEntertainment]

Get the Scott’s turf builder drop spreader instead of these broadcast ones. No issues with the fert hitting the wheels with a drop spreader.

[@dannypersaud387]

After I finished my yard I came up the driveway with a long line of debris and lots of build up on the inside right wheel of my small Scott’s spreader. What a POS.

[@MichiGoon]

No it is not. Scott’s accepted my return last fall. While spreading new seed I noticed that there was far more seed concentrated in a very narrow path directly under the spreader. Same problem.

[@vashon100]

Accepted vs excepted

[@MichiGoon]

@@vashon100 Thanks. I corrected it.

[@jameseddy6835]

Ha Tommy if you get a long enough straight edge it will hit the car.

[@gmcjetpilot]

Why didn't you test the Earthway ev-n-spread?

[@TommyTester]

This video focused on the Scotts spreaders. The earthway is fine.

[@gmcjetpilot]

@@TommyTester OK Got it. Went and saw video well done. You inspired me to do own test on a Scotts Turf Builder Mini a Scott's Wizz electric handheld. I put down a 17 ft long blue tarp on the driveway and use Milorganite. I set them for what I thought would be 5lbs per 1000sqft (roughly 1/2 applications). I put in a pound and kept going back and forth until I ran out. I measured the remaining. I'm not a big fan of shaking until you get the last drop. My thinking is just know what the unusable amount is (where it stops feeding) and add that extra. When you shake it it just dumps extra product out. In my Calcs (mini4oz unusable, wiz 2oz unusable) I adjusted my numbers to get a pound rate per area. I repeated and adjusted setting. Of course I collected the miloganite to use. The area covered was 17' by 4.5' by the number of passes. Note Scott says the width is 5 feet I think for f 4.5" for mini and 5' for Wizz. Wizz only goes to 9 and does not have the higher volume of a roller. So you ha e to make two passes at a lower setting. The Wiz put out a very even 5-foot forward by 5-foot sides No tires to block. Because it's electric you can't crank it slower; it's always throwing out the max range, but it does have a side guard. For small lawns with lots odd edges and spaces a hand held is best in my opinion. Yes the mini has slightly biased pattern to the left but it isn't terrible. *Most of it's going out front in a fan shape and the tires don't affect it.* On the right what I found what affected it the most was the edge guard. Even even when retracted it still extends into the pattern and does affected it a little bit. I think SPEED YOU WALK will effect it. The best rate is about 250 to 300 feet per minute. 1000 sf takes about 3.5 to 4 minutes. This is much faster than I walk for liquid spray applications. You of course have to set the flow of product to match this walk speed. All this is contingent on how fast you're pushing the mini. If you're pushing it like an Olympian Sprinter yeah the patterns going to go all over and be uneven. Push it like a little old arthritic lady with a walker the area and distribution of broadcast is affected. If you push a little slower it's going to be more controlled, little narrower and more even (but not old lady slow). *Also the spreader tray is not an impeller.* An impeller is something that compresses fluids either liquid or gas. The thing on these broadcast spreaders is a spreader tray. I find the hand spreaders are great for my 3500 sqft with all kind of weird shapes and cut-outs 500 sq ft is a hill where a push spreader would never work. Thanks for video. (PS may be drop spreaders are better than broadcast?)

[@836dmar]

Mod time!

[@danmccann6666]

Hard to understand the product spread pattern of the Earthway when you don't show it in use at all. Sorry, but a real review shows ALL items to allow somebody to make an educated decision.

[@TommyTester]

This video was only about the Scotts units as stated in the title and in the intro.

[@the_original_mathwiz]

@@TommyTester Then why did you display the Earthway? You showed the Scotts were not up to par, but you act as if there may be a problem with the Earthway that don't want to expose. Like Dan stated, why wouldn't you show the superiority of the Earthway?

[@MarsMatrix6744]

Any DIY hacks to stop it?

[@TommyTester]

I thought of making my own spinning plate that had a steeper angle but I never tried it.

[@goneviral6037]

Put smaller wheels or huge hollow wheels like a bike tire

[@bellefive2990]

@@goneviral6037 smaller wheels change the agitator rotation and throw off the calibration

[@Tuyn11]

What a joke. I have a zebra striped lawn now using the DLX model. Now what? Have to use a hand spreader for round 2 on an acre property? Wow.

[@TommyTester]

Sorry to hear that. Been there.

[@ashzole]

can’t you just add a bolt or thick washer and raise it up?

[@TommyTester]

The shaft is several plastic parts, so you'd have to butcher it up pretty good. They are not meant to be taken apart, but perhaps some out there will try your idea.

[@joshturner5165]

Well, we should all call the stripes, "Scott's Stripes" whatta POS company. Been around a long time too.

[@martinharrell1965]

I bought the scotts deluxe and it streaked my yard terribly. Don’t buy this thing

[@mrBDeye]

That's what you get when a company hires people named Scott and Karen.

[@TRACKMKIII]

Is the Scotts Elite much better?

[@TommyTester]

I've not tested it but it seems better engineered. Thank you.

[@MichiGoon]

Same problem with the elite. I returned mine last fall.

[@LIGHT7CODE7]

Scotts spreaders are a joke. Don't buy the edge guard mini it will leave fert line. Can't believe they get away with this.

[@rph3144]

Same problem. Does Scott’s ever test these things in real life? Never buying Scott’s again. Pure junk.

[@Cards-In-The-Closet]

I have the DLX and have stripes 😡

[@HotDog88GT]

Or you could just use a drop spreader.

[@TommyTester]

If you are off by a few inches, you get an unfertilized stripe. If you overlap your rows, you get a dark green stripe. Drop spreaders are mainly designed to apply grass seed.

[@raczyk]

​@@TommyTester would this also happen if you apply organic manure fertilizer? Or is precision then not important when using a drop spreader?

[@dgott7726]

No need to test the Earthway??? Ok...

[@TommyTester]

This was just a test of the Scotts junk. The Earthway is much better.

[@chadharvy]

your video is biased because you refused to test the last spreader.

[@kalingsaroh3115]

Really scot is very bad, manufacturer no idea

[@Gojira8383]

Yes , hollow cheap wheels. Burn strips every time . I put it out for the trash . Piece of crap

[@jeffrme]

All these are junk

[@IMEMINE.]

Absolute trash each one of them.. obviously made in merica. A REPAIR GUIDE…… $ 90 dollars and two years later, constantly adjusting the dump door by hand, the spring has stretched out. The door has gouges and doesn’t move freely. I had a metal one that I used for 35 years, this Millennial era Trump influenced toy is as realizable as a 30 year old showing up at work on Monday or Friday and asking for Tuesday and Wednesday off

[@amclar2]

I knew it wasn't my fault. I just bought a nice spreader esrthway spreader. F scotts