June Issue Extra: Using Deflectors

Since maintaining a clean sidewalk while applying granular product to a turf edge is tricky with rotary spreaders, side deflectors are often used so operators can get closer to these areas without spreading material all over them and having to clean it up later.

A deflector cuts off one side of the spreader pattern, so at a driveway edge the machine distributes product on the turf area alone. However, lawn care operators (LCOs) have to remember cutting the spreader distribution pattern means they have to make some adjustments with the amount of product being applied, pointed out Tom Jessen, president, Perma-Green Supreme, Crown Point, Ind.

“For instance, if you are applying product with a 12-foot wide machine and you then cut it to 6 feet, you have to recalibrate the machine so you’re not over-applying product in that area,” Jessen advised.

The other problem Jessen sees regularly is LCOs who don’t want to use deflectors because of the extra time required for recalibration, so they try to reach the edge of the lawn by staying toward the turf center and letting the product flings out to the edge. “So, essentially, you’re getting half-rate on those edges,” Jessen said. “This is really a problem with preemergence products because you’re not going to maintain control in those areas because of the shortage of material applied.” – Nicole Wisniewski

The author is Managing Editor of Lawn & Landscape magazine and can be reached at nwisniewski@lawnandlandscape.com.