Hydroseeding Systems

WHAT ARE THEY? A tank mounted on a truck or trailer, which uses a water based slurry mixture of seed, mulch, and additives for the purpose of planting seeds.

WHY DO I NEED ONE? As an alternative method for planting seeds compared to other seeding methods like terra seeding, slit seeding and/or broadcast/dry seeding.

WHAT SYSTEM IS BETTER JET OR MECHANICAL (PADDLE) AGITATION? Listed are the advantages and disadvantages of both types to help you decide.

WHAT SIZED UNIT SHOULD I GET? Choosing a size is not always easy since a smaller machine allows you to get into the hydroseeding field with less expense and a larger machine lets you get jobs done quickly making you more productive.

Deciding what size of machine to get is more a case of knowing the kinds of jobs and size of the jobs you will be doing. You can do big jobs with a small machine and small jobs with a big machine but you can do larger jobs faster and more efficiently with a larger machine.
How often you will be hydroseeding. As a landscaper who does a handful of jobs a year you may be better off by investing in a smaller size of a machine and even if it takes an extra hour or so to do the job it will still be effective and efficient and better than subbing out the job to someone else.
Another consideration is the amount you have budgeted for a hydroseeding machine.

WHAT MAKE SHOULD I BUY? This is actually the least important question. All major manufacturers of hydroseeding equipment make a good product and you should be happy with whatever brand you chose.

THE PRO’S AND CON’S OF JET AGITATED SYSTEMS

ADVANTAGES

Jet agitated hydroseeders are very affordable. For someone sticking their toe into the market starting with a jet unit can keep your costs low and profits high.
Jet agitated hydroseeders are easy to use. One person can easily run them. The learning curve to operate a jet agitated unit is only minutes.
Jet agitated systems are close to maintenance free. You can run one for years doing little other than changing the oil in the engine.
Jet systems rarely ever clog. The passages are large and there are few bends in the flow. Typically on the few times an operator has a clog it will be because they did something they knew they should not do.
Jet hydroseeding systems are easy to service. The only moving parts other than the engine are the impeller in the pump and ball valves.
Jet systems pump a fairly thick slurry. The more powerful units are close to the same slurry a paddle machine can do and the more economical units still spray a nice thick slurry.
Clean up is fast and easy. Just put 50 gallons of water in the tank and spray it out.
When spraying you can see how much material you have left in the tank which comes in very handy when trying to make sure you don’t run out of material with 5 sq. ft. left to spray.

DISADVANTAGES

Jet agitated units work best with paper mulch although a wood paper blend can be used with care in 300 gallon and larger units. If someone needs to spray 100% wood mulches, BFM’s or Flexterra a jet agitated unit is not a good choice.
You can’t load full bales. You must break up the mulch as you load it. This doesn’t mean you need to pulverize the mulch but you do need to break it up to basketball size or smaller.

THE PROS AND CONS OF PADDLE (MECHANICAL) SYSTEMS

ADVANTAGES

Paddle machines are easier to load because you can just drop full bales in them without needing to break up the mulch.
Paddle machines can run a slightly thicker slurry allowing you to apply more material in less time.
Paddle machines (most units) can run any product including 100% wood mulches, BFM’s and FGM’s.
Paddle machines with a gear pump can pump through more hose, up to 500 feet.
Paddle machines can spray further through a platform gun.

DISADVANTAGES

Paddle machines have more complex drives and require more service.
Although one person can run a paddle agitated machine it is better to have two people when seeding.
Paddle machines using a gear pump require more daily maintenance such as frequent greasing of the pump (two times a day) as well as greasing the agitator shaft bearings.
Paddle machines with a metal tank will eventually have issues with rust. The proper way to deal with that is to take the top off the tank and sandblast the interior then coat the inside of the tank with coal tar epoxy which is smelly and messy.
Gear pumps will lose power over time and require you to take off the front cover of the pump and remove one or two gaskets to return the power to like new and when there are no more gaskets to remove the pump must be rebuilt.