An electric handheld broadcast spreader with pattern and speed controlling baffled skirt detachably attaches to a conventional spreader mechanism to disperse particles in a controlled, directional manner within a proximal coverage area with two hands. A broadcasting/dispersing skirt receives particulate material from a conventional spreader. The inner volume of broadcasting/dispersing skirt comprises upper layer baffles, with upper gaps forming between each upper layer baffle; lower layer baffles, offset from the upper layer baffles, with lower gaps forming between each lower layer baffle; and multiple vertical deflector vanes disposed perpendicular to lower layer baffles. Discharged particulate material strikes the surface of the baffles, before passing through gaps. The particulate material traveling in a lateral direction strikes the deflector vanes and outlet edge of broadcasting/dispersing skirt. This controls velocity and direction of dispersed particulate material, causing particulate material to be confined within a close pattern coverage area on ground surface.

Method for a centrifugal spreader to precisely spread particulate material across an entire field with increased application rate, swath width and driving speed by utilizing a tiered disk spinner arrangement fed by a conveyor and guided by a material divider and an adjustable chute moveable in rotation around the spinner disk to achieve a desired symmetrical or asymmetrical spread pattern.

A broadcast spreader and methods of using the same. One method includes dispersing particulate material using a broadcast spreader having a hopper and an impeller by placing the spreader in a first configuration where a first set of through openings proximate a bottom portion of the hopper permit the particulate material to pass therethrough and fall onto the impeller to thereby be distributed in a first spread pattern, and shifting the spreader into a second configuration where a second set of through openings proximate the bottom portion of the hopper permit the particulate material to pass therethrough and fall onto the impeller to thereby be distributed in a second spread pattern. The first set of through openings includes a different number of through openings than the second set of through openings, and the first spread pattern is different than the second spread pattern.

A method for determining setting recommendations for an agricultural spreader includes the steps of: determining an uneven spreading-material distribution in a usable agricultural area or an uneven nutritional status of plants in the usable agricultural area, determining an ideal balancing distribution of spreading material that balances out unevenness of the determined spreading-material distribution in the usable agricultural area or unevenness of the determined nutritional status of the plants in the usable agricultural area, and determining setting recommendations for the agricultural spreader for implementing a balancing distribution of the spreading material, wherein the balancing distribution approximates the ideal balancing distribution.

A control apparatus for a broadcast spreader includes a gate adjustment dial mounted on, and generally coaxial with, a handle portion of a handle assembly of the spreader. Rotation of the gate adjustment dial in a first direction causes an increase in a current maximum discharge rate of the spreader and rotation of the gate adjustment dial in a second direction causes a decrease in the current maximum discharge rate of the spreader.

Method for a centrifugal spreader to precisely spread particulate material across an entire field with increased application rate, swath width and driving speed by utilizing a tiered disk spinner arrangement fed by a conveyor and guided by a material divider and an adjustable chute moveable in rotation around the spinner disk to achieve a desired symmetrical or asymmetrical spread pattern.

The invention comprises a deflector assembly for use with a spreading disc rotatable around a first axis, the deflector assembly comprising an array of deflector members concentrically disposed relative to the first axis, wherein a stream of particulate material discharged onto the deflector assembly is deflected onto a portion of the spreading disc.

An adjustable deflector assembly for a broadcast spreader comprises: a first bracket secured to a support frame of the broadcast spreader on one side of a rotating fan of the broadcast spreader; a second bracket secured to the support frame of the broadcast spreader on another side of the rotating fan of the broadcast spreader; and a deflector mounted to the first bracket and the second bracket. The deflector is configured to be mounted at one of multiple discrete positions on each of the first bracket and the second bracket, such that a spread width of material distributed by the rotating fan is increased or decreased depending on which of the multiple discrete positions is selected.

A spread control assembly is provided that includes a spread control mechanism and a shut-off adjustment plate attached to a particulate dispersing apparatus. The; shut-off adjustment plate includes multiple exit openings that facilitate the dispersing of particulate material. The spread control mechanism pivotally attaches to the shut-off adjustment plate and includes multiple paddles configured to cover at least one of the exit openings in the shut-off adjustment plate when the spread control mechanism is in an activated position.

The invention relates to a method for detecting the influence of the inclination (1-4) of an agricultural spreading device (100, 102) on the distribution of the material to be spread, having the steps of: receiving discharge information on spreading processes of agricultural spreading devices (100) using an analysis device (10) and ascertaining a relationship between a dispensing point of material to be spread onto at least one distribution disc (104, 106, 108, 110) of an agricultural spreading device and the distribution of material to be spread, said relationship depending on the inclination of an agricultural spreading device, using the analysis device on the basis of the received discharge information.