Calibration; Spreader Flow Rate Calibration; Centering The Spread Pattern - Ferris Venture Series Operator's Manual

Calibration

Spreader Flow Rate Calibration

• The following instructions provide a method for adjust-
ing the flow of fertilizer from the hopper so that the correct
amount of fertilizer is applied to a 1000 ft
machine is designed to apply fertilizer evenly by overlap-
ping each pass by 50 percent. The spread width for most
products is approximately 14 feet. This means that the
center of each pass should be approximately 7 feet from
the center of the previous pass. The effective material
spread width is 7 feet and is the basis for calibration.
• Measure a distance of 143 feet on a flat paved surface.
Using a paved surface will allow the fertilizer to be recol-
lected and will prevent burning the turf if the application
rate is largely different from what is intended. Traveling
143 feet with the machine equates to covering approxi-
mately 1000 ft2 with fertilizer (7 ft x 143 ft = 1001 ft2).
• Set the gate stop to a setting of 5. This will be used as
the starting setting for dialing in the correct gate stop
setting for the particular material that is being used. Note
that the spreader will have to be recalibrated for each dif-
ferent type of material that is spread. Make sure to record
the final gate stop setting once the correct application
rate has been achieved.
• Place the spreader gate lever in the CLOSED position.
Place enough material in the hopper to cover 1000 ft2.
• Begin the spreading operation while moving toward the
143 foot marker. With the machine moving at full speed,
the hopper should just empty out as the machine passes
the marker. If the hopper empties before the marker is
reached, turn the gate stop dial to a slightly lower setting
and repeat the process. If the hopper empties after the
marker is reached, turn the gate stop dial to a slightly
higher setting and repeat the process. Continue this pro-
cess until the proper dispensing rate is achieved.
• When the calibration is complete, collect the fertilizer
that has been dispensed for reuse. Never leave the fertil-
izer on the pavement where it can wash away in runoff.

Centering the Spread Pattern

• The following instructions provide a method for adjust-
ing the center of the spread pattern so that
fertilizer is evenly distributed over the width of the spread
area.
• Obtain the following items:
• Eleven collection pans, 3 to 4 inches tall and 12
inches square (e.g. aluminum roasting pans).
• Clear tube, ½" internal diameter, 4 inches tall. Use a
permanent marker to mark the tube at ¼" increments
all of the way up the tube. This will act as a measur-
ing device for the collected fertilizer prills.
• Set the gate stop to a setting of 5.
area. The • Move the gate lever to the OPEN position (the hopper
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must initially be empty).
• Turn the spread control lever counterclockwise to
release the lock and move the lever in or out so that the
baffle can be seen centered just below the opening of the
gate in the bottom of the hopper. Turn the spread control
lever clockwise to lock into position.
• Move the gate lever to the CLOSED position.
• Load the hopper with the fertilizer to be used for calibra-
tion.
• Place the eleven collection pans on a flat paved sur-
face in a straight line on two-foot centers. Using a paved
surface will allow the fertilizer to be recollected and will
prevent burning the turf if the application pattern is largely
different from what is intended.
• Make at least three passes traveling directly over the
center pan in a path perpendicular to the row of pans.
NOTE: All of the passes must be made in the same direc-
tion.
• Pour the contents of the first pan on the left into the
graduated tube and record the amount of material that
is in the tube. Repeat this measurement for each of the
eleven collection pans. Add together all of the eleven
numbers to find the total material that was dispensed.
• Divide the amount caught in each pan by the total
amount. This is the percentage that was caught in each
pan.
• The distribution should increase towards the center pan
and decrease toward the outside pans. The distribution
should also be approximately the same on each side. If
it appears that the left side is receiving more material,
pull the spread control lever out slightly and repeat the
process. If it appears that the right side is receiving more
material, push the spread control lever in slightly and
repeat the process. Only slight adjustments are needed
to make spread pattern changes.
• Once the correct distribution is achieved, measure the
distance from the console surface to the top of the spread
control lever. Record this measurement as the setting to
be used for the particular fertilizer being evaluated. Note
that the spreader will have to be recalibrated for each
different type of material that is spread.
• When the calibration is complete, collect the fertilizer
that has been dispensed for reuse. Never leave the fertil-
izer on the pavement where it can wash away in runoff.
• A ruler or tape measure.
• A method of recording the collection amounts.
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