Equipment testing, calibration and maintenance is something that takes place regularly at our shop. We talk a lot about picking the right products to apply to your lawn, as well as making sure you time the application just right. While those things are important, they both amount to nothing if your equipment is not properly calibrated!
All turf products are labeled for a specific application rate for your turf. The only way to know for sure if you are applying any product at the proper rate is to test your equipment, and calibrate it accordingly.
What can happen when equipment is not properly calibrated? Simple, you will either be under applying or over applying the product. Under applying your product significantly decrease the effectiveness of the product. Over applying is not only a waste of money and product, but can also cause severe damage to your turf.
This is why equipment testing and calibration should always be done before applying any products to your lawn.