Ecolawn ECO 75 User manual

1994Since
www.ecolawnapplicator.com
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
1994Since
1994Since
[e-mail]
960 Leon-Trepanier,
Sherbrooke, Qc Canada J1G 5J6
www.ecolawnapplicator.com
1-866-ECO-LAWN (326-5296)

Operator’s Manual | ECO 75 | www.ecolawnapplicator.com 2
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 parts 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 rst running it empty. A good application
means preparing ahead of time. Make small adjustments in the eld
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!
THANK YOU

Operator’s Manual | ECO 75 | Turf Pros #1 Top dresser 3
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 APPLICATOR FOR THE FIRST TIME ..................... 7
OPERATING THE ECOLAWN APPLICATOR ................................................ 8
CHOOSING AN APPROPRIATE SUBSTRATE .............................................. 10
1. QUALITY AND CHARACTERISTICS
2. FRIABILITY
3. MOISTURE CONTENT
TROUBLESHOOTING AND ADJUSTMENTS .............................................. 11
AGITATORS ...................................................................................................... 13
GENERAL MAINTANCE ................................................................................ 15
1. SHAFT BEARING
2. V-BELTS
SAND DEFLECTOR ......................................................................................... 16
ASSEMBLY STEPS ......................................................................................... 17

Operator’s Manual | ECO 75 | www.ecolawnapplicator.com 4
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.
WARRANTY

Operator’s Manual | ECO 75 | Turf Pros #1 Top dresser 5
This manual describes the operation of the ECO 75 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 500 lbs (227 kg). Never exceed the
maximum load capacity; this may damage the spreader.
4. DECALS
Replacement safety decals are available at no cost from Ecolawn.
SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS

Operator’s Manual | ECO 75 | www.ecolawnapplicator.com 6
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 trac over the areas that have
been topdressed.
Type of Spreading Material:
• Screened compost
• Granular and pelletized products
• Sand
• Soil
• Crumb rubber
• Soil amendments
• Custom blends
2. OPTIMAL OPERATION
Never exceed the maximum load capacity of the Hopper
(500 lbs / 227 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 signicantly 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 75 Broadcast Top Dresser is designed for compost
topdressing, sand topdressing, lawn restoration and renovation,
soil amending, and top seeding. To learn more about topdressing,
please visit our website at www.ecolawnapplicator.com.
OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS

Operator’s Manual | ECO 75 | Turf Pros #1 Top dresser 7
Before using the spreader for the rst time, visually check the spreader which
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 when the machine is started for the rst time until
they are properly seated. Before loading the spreader with substrate, let
it run 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 rell to this level for the rst 3 or 4 loads.
Step 3.
Fill the Hopper to its maximum capacity (500 lbs / 227 kg) and begin using
the spreader normally.
Step 4.
After 1 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.
USING THE
ECOLAWN
APPLICATOR
FOR THE
FIRST TIME

Operator’s Manual | ECO 75 | www.ecolawnapplicator.com 8
Step 1.
Filling the Hopper
Before lling the Hopper, rst ensure that the Feed Trap (Figure 1) is properly
closed by pulling up on the Feed Trap Lever (Figure 2).
Fill the Hopper with the substrate to be spread. Note: Never exceed the
Hopper’s maximum load capacity (500 lbs / 227 kg); this can damage the
machine.
OPERATING
THE ECOLAWN
APPLICATOR
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2

Operator’s Manual | ECO 75 | Turf Pros #1 Top dresser 9
Step 2.
Starting the Engine
Before starting the machine, make sure the Conveyor System is not
engaged. Be sure that the PTO is disengaged and the Feed Trap is properly
closed.
Step 3.
Topdressing with a Substrate
In order to spread the substrate, you must open the Feed Trap to desired
height (Figure 2). Pull the PTO Lever to engage the Conveyor Belt. Move
the tractor forward and spread the substrate.
Note: The machines RPM speed determines the width over which the
substrate is spread. The height at which the Feed Trap is open determines
the thickness at which the substrate is spread.
FIGURE 3
Step 4.
Stopping the Spreader
When the Hopper is empty, disengage the PTO Drive to stop the Conveyor
Belt. Close the Feed Trap with the Feed Trap Lever. If lling the Hopper
again, drive to the substrate source and then rell the Hopper.

Operator’s Manual | ECO 75 | www.ecolawnapplicator.com 10
1. QUALITY AND CHARACTERISTICS
It is very important to choose a high-quality topdressing substrate.
For greatest cost eciency, 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 ow more
smoothly and eciently 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 and the Spreading Disk with a lubricant.
To help the substrate ow freely from the Hopper, stop the machine
and loosen with shovel. This will loosen the substrate so that it can
ow freely from the Hopper.
CHOOSING AN
APPROPRIATE
SUBSTRATE

Operator’s Manual | ECO 75 | Turf Pros #1 Top dresser 11
Important: Be sure the machine is turned o before performing any
adjustments or maintenance on the spreader attachment.
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.
TROUBLESHOOTING
AND
ADJUSTMENTS
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 Tensioner 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
Roller forward a 1/2 turn at
a time.
3. Now tighten down the 2
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.

Operator’s Manual | ECO 75 | www.ecolawnapplicator.com 12
Issue: The spreader moves forward and the Conveyor works, but
the Spreading Disk does not spin.
Solution: To free the disk, turn the machine o, and then turn the
Spreading Disk backward manually to remove any debris. Visually
inspect the pulleys and clean them as needed. If the pulley used to turn
the Spreading Disk is lled with substrate, it may cause the belt to come
o. Clean the pulley and the disk, then re-mount the belt on the pulley.

Operator’s Manual | ECO 75 | Turf Pros #1 Top dresser 13
AGITATORS SHORT AGITATOR
For spreading: sand, heavy materials, Biochar products.
Trap door opening - full range.
Rotation – forward.
Trap door opening - 3/4 to wide open.
Rotation - forward or reverse depending
on specic product.
LONG AGITATOR
For spreading: compost, dry materials, wet materials.

Operator’s Manual | ECO 75 | www.ecolawnapplicator.com 14
Trap door opening - 1/2 to wide open.
CORKSCREW AGITATOR
For spreading: dry sand, screened crumbly compost, dry pulverized dirt,
powder materials, Biochar products and granular products.

Operator’s Manual | ECO 75 | Turf Pros #1 Top dresser 15
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.
GENERAL
MAINTENANCE

Operator’s Manual | ECO 75 | www.ecolawnapplicator.com 16
SAND
DEFLECTOR
WEIGHT DEFLECTOR
WEIGHT DEFLECTOR

Operator’s Manual | ECO 75 | Turf Pros #1 Top dresser 17
ASSEMBLY
STEPS

Operator’s Manual | ECO 75 | www.ecolawnapplicator.com 18
NOTES

Operator’s Manual | ECO 75 | Turf Pros #1 Top dresser 19
NOTES

1994Since
www.ecolawnapplicator.com
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
1994Since
1994Since
[e-mail]
960 Leon-Trepanier,
Sherbrooke, Qc Canada J1G 5J6
www.ecolawnapplicator.com
1-866-ECO-LAWN (326-5296)