Ecolawn Eco 50 User manual

Operator's Manual
www.ecolawnapplicator.com
Model Eco 50
Tow-Behind
Self-Propelled Broadcast Top Dresser
REGISTER YOUR ECOLAWN
www.ecolawnapplicator.com
SERIAL NUMBER:

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THANK YOU for purchasing an Ecolawn Top Dresser. Your new machine has been carefully designed and
manufactured to provide years of reliable and productive service. This manual will provide you with safety
instructions and general maintenance tips that will help to keep your machine in top running order. Please
read this manual and assembly part/list carefully before assembling, operating, or servicing your
equipment.
Here are 5 Ecolawn Basic Rules of Operations:
1. Use quality screened material or compost;
2. Use appropriate load size and weight;
3. Load hopper gently to prevent loading compaction;
4. Plan the application before spreading it;
5. Test the spreader by first running it empty. A good application means preparing ahead of time.
Make small adjustments in the field and eliminate major repairs.
Please visit our website or call with any questions.
Website: www.ecolawnapplicator.com
Tel: [phone]
A good application means preparing ahead of time!

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
WARRANTY 4
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 5
1. GENERAL
2. GUARDS
3. HOPPER
4. DECALS
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 6
1. PROPER TOPDRESSING
2. OPTIMAL OPERATION
3. MAIN USES
USING THE ECOLAWN FOR THE FIRST TIME 7
OPERATING THE ECOLAWN APPLICATOR 8
CHOOSING AN APPROPRIATE SUBSTANCE 11
1. QUALITY AND CHARACTERISTICS
2. FRIABILITY
3. MOISTURE CONTENT
TROUBLESHOOTING AND ADJUSTMENTS 12
GENERAL MAINTANCE 15
1. SHAFT BEARING
2. V-BELTS
SAND DEFLECTOR 16
ASSEMBLY STEPS 17

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Ecolawn Applicator® One Year Limited Warranty
Terms: Ecolawn Applicators are guaranteed to be free of defects in materials or workmanship for one year
from the registered purchase date. To qualify, the applicator must be registered online at
www.ecolawnapplicator.com (under the product tab). This one-year warranty is extended only to the
original, registered purchaser of the Ecolawn Applicator.
Starting from the registered purchase date, Ecolawn will replace, free of charge, any part(s) on the machine
that Ecolawn or its approved agent deems to be defective in material and/or workmanship upon
examination.
The warranty is limited to the Ecolawn Applicator itself. Ecolawn Applicator® is not responsible for any
other equipment used with the Applicator.

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Safety Instructions
This manual describes the operation of the ECO 50 Ecolawn Applicator spreader only.
1. General
•Never allow children to operate power equipment.
•Do not use the Ecolawn Applicator on any slope that is greater than 10 to 15 degrees.
•Do not modify the Ecolawn Applicator. Any alterations to the machine will void the warranty.
•Use the Ecolawn Applicator ONLY for its intended purpose.
•Keep hands and objects out of the hopper and away from the agitator/mixer while the motor is running.
•Use only original Ecolawn parts to repair the Ecolawn Applicator.
2. Guards
Do not run the engine or operate the machine when any of the guards have been removed. This may result
in severe injury and/or damage to the unit.
3. Hopper
The hopper's maximum load is 440 lbs (200 kg). Never exceed the maximum load capacity; this may
damage the spreader.
4. Decals
Replacement safety decals are available at no cost from Ecolawn.

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Operating Instructions
1. Proper Topdressing
When topdressing, follow the same pattern you would use when mowing. Start with the sections of lawn
that are farthest away from the supply source to avoid repeated traffic over the areas that have already
been top-dressed.
Type of Spreading Material:
•Screened compost
2. Optimal Operation
Never exceed the maximum load capacity of the hopper (440lbs/200 kg). Some substrates (such as sand
or soil) are much denser than others, so it is not possible to judge load size visually. The same volume of
sand or soil can weigh significantly more than compost. Overloading the hopper may damage the spreader.
Comparative: Materials and Weights
Material Volume Weight
Compost (60% humidity) 10 cubic feet: 300 lbs
Mix Blend: 50% compost, 50% sand 10 cubic feet: 550 lbs
Sand 10 cubic feet: 800 lbs
3. Main Uses
The Eco 50 Tow-Behind Broadcast Compost Spreader is designed to spread compost, peat moss, soil
amends and seeds for lawn restoration and renovation. To learn more about compost topdressing, please
visit our website at www.ecolawnapplicator.com.

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Using the Ecolawn Applicator for the First Time
Before using the spreader for the first time, make sure the tow bar is extended out far enough to operate
the activation lever. While the spreader has been factory adjusted for immediate use, some minor
adjustments may be necessary. We recommend the following startup procedure to ensure that the machine
is properly adjusted before use.
Step 1. The spreader's belts are new, so they may not adhere perfectly to the pulleys; they may slip a little
when the machine is used for the first time. Before loading the spreader with substrate, run it around empty
for about 10 minutes to allow the belts to become seated properly on the pulleys.
Step 2. Fill the hopper to 1/3 capacity (see Page 8, Step 1), then run the spreader until empty and refill to
this level for the first 3 or 4 loads.
Step 3. Fill the hopper to its maximum capacity (440lbs/200 kg) and begin using the spreader normally.
Step 4. After one hour of use, visually inspect the spreader. Vibrations combined with a heavy load may
occasionally cause nuts and bolts to loosen. Tighten these when necessary.
Step 5. After 8 hours of use, inspect the nuts and bolts again and tighten if necessary.
If some pulleys do not run correctly after these trials, please refer to Ecolawn Application: Troubleshooting
and Adjustments.

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Operating the Ecolawn Applicator
Step 1. Filling the Hopper
Before filling the hopper, first ensure that the Feed Flap (Figure 1) is properly closed by pushing the Feed
Flap Lever all the way down (Figure 2).
Fill the hopper with the substrate to be spread. Note: Never exceed the hopper's maximum load capacity
(440 lbs/200 kg); this can damage the machine.
Figure 1
Figure 2

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Step 2. Starting to spread
Before pulling the Eco 50, make sure the conveyor system is not engaged. Be sure that the Conveyor
Action Lever (Figure 3) is disengaged and the Feed Flap is properly closed.
Figure 3
Step 3: Topdressing with a Substrate
After loading the machine, transport to the desired location to start spreading. Before moving forward, open
the Feed Flap with the lever shown in Figure 2. Pull the Conveyor Activation Lever toward you (Figure 4) to
move the spreader forward and spread the substrate.
Note: The ground speed determines the width of spread.
Figure 4

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Step 4. Stopping the Spreader
When the hopper is empty, release the Conveyor activation Lever to disengage the conveyor belt and close
the feed flap. If filling the hopper again, tow the unit to the substrate source and then refill the hopper.

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Choosing an Appropriate Substrate
1. Quality and Characteristics
It is very important to choose a high-quality topdressing substrate. For greatest cost efficiency,
Ecolawn recommends using a bulk substrate which is friable, has a moisture content lower than
65%, and contains no inorganic matter (plastic, glass, or concrete, etc.) or raw organic matter (such as
pieces of wood, raw manure).
2. Friability
A friable material is one that crumbles easily into small fragments. A substrate that is not very friable
appears to be composed of numerous, compact pieces which do not readily break down. Screening a
substrate makes it much more friable. Additionally, a substrate containing 10% sand is more friable and will
flow more smoothly and efficiently through the applicator.
3. Moisture Content
A substrate with a moisture content greater than 65% will tend to stick to the inside walls of the hopper and
other parts of the spreader. When working with a substrate with a high moisture content, coat the insides of
the hopper, as well as the spreading disk, with a lubricant.
To help the substrate flow freely from the hopper, stop the machine and loosen with shovel. This will loosen
the substrate so that it can flow freely from the hopper.

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Troubleshooting and Adjustments
Important: Most adjustments are remedied in the field with just a few procedures
The most frequent problems encountered involve the conveyor, but these can easily be resolved with a few
simple solutions. Check the following issues for your particular problem, and make the corresponding
adjustments as needed.
Issue: The V-belts are slipping. The spreader's hopper is full. The conveyor has been activated by
pulling the conveyor activation lever toward you, but the conveyor belt does not work because the
V-belts are slipping.
Solution: The V-belts are not tight enough. First remove the guards from the tensioner and check the
tension of the belts, which may be slipping on the pulleys that power the conveyor belt drive roller. If the
tension is incorrect, adjust it by lengthening the tension rod of the conveyor activation clutch, a few turns at
a time, as follows:
1. Loosen the (Yellow) jam nuts to
adjust the tension of the tensioner
rod.
2. Turn the (green) top tensioner
adjuster to increase tension, or
clockwise to reduce it.
3. Tighten the (yellow) jam nuts to
maintain the tension at the proper
level.

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Issue: The spreader's hopper is full. The conveyor has been activated by pulling the conveyor
activation lever toward you, but the conveyor belt is not turning even though the tension rod has
been adjusted properly and the conveyor drive roller is turning.
Solution: Adjust the tension bolts of the conveyor belt system on each side, 1/2 turn at a time on both sides
equally, to increase the tension on the conveyor belt. Do as follows:
1. Loosen the 2 vertical (yellow)
nuts on each side of the machine.
2. Loosen the (yellow) jam nut and
tighten the horizontal bolt to push
the conveyor belt roller forward a
1/2 turn at a time.
3. Now tighten down the two vertical
nuts on both sides to hold the front
system in place and tighten the jam
nuts to lock the tension bolts.
4. Test the machine and re-adjust if
necessary.

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Issue: The spreader moves forward and the conveyor works, but the spreading disk does not spin.
Solution: To free the disk, turn the machine off, and then turn the spinner disk backward manually to
remove any debris. Visually inspect the pulleys and clean them as needed. If the pulley groove used to turn
the spinner disk has collected substrate, it may cause the belt to come off. Clean out the pulley groove
under the spinner, then re-mount the belt in the pulley groove.

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General Maintenance
1. Shaft Bearings
Grease the bearings after every 50 hours of operation.
2. V-belts
The proper belt tension is tight enough that the belts will not slip during operation. Occasionally, belt tension
must be readjusted. Do not over-adjust the tension, as this may damage other parts.

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Assembly Steps