Landscape Architect Articles

LCN Horsepower October, 200410-01-04 | News

Hydroseeders: Another Form of Erosion Control

Hydromulching, sometimes referred to as hydroseeding, is a seed distribution process, which is fast, efficient, and economical. It is usually more effective than conventional seeding and certainly more economical than conventional sodding. The process begins by mixing mulch, seed, fertilizer, and water in the tank of a hydromulching machine. The mixed material is then pumped from the tank and sprayed onto the ground. The material is often referred to as a slurry, much like a soupy batch of green papier-m?????ch????(C). Once applied to the soil, the material enhances initial growth by providing a micro-environment beneficial to seed germination.

Easy Lawn TM 345

Manufacturer: Easy Lawn
Model No.: TM 345
Capacity: 345 gallons
Dimensions: 96 inches long, 53 inches high, 48 inches wide
Engine: Robin Subaru 22 HP electric start engine
Pump: 620 gpm, 85 psi centrifugal pump
Agitation: 3-inch galvanized agitation tube with four 3/4-inch jets
Discharge: 100 feet of 1 1/4 inch I.D. hose
Nozzles: 2 fan nozzles and 1 straight stream nozzle
Cost: $3,995
Warranty: 1 year
Special Features: The TM 35 for light duty hydroseeding! Boasts a 120 pound mulch capacity–big enough to mulch 2 acres a day–small enough for one person to handle.

Finn Corp. T-60

Manufacturer: Finn Corp.
Model No.: T-60 Hydroseeders
Capacity: 600 gallons
Dimensions: 126 inches long, 108 inches high, 69 inches wide
Engine: 25 HP Kohler Pump: Centrifugal 3-inch by 1 1/2-inch, 65 gpm, 75 psi
Agitation: Hydraulically controlled paddle agitator and liquid recirculation
Discharge: Coverage up to 7,200 square feet per load with seed
Nozzles: 3 (narrow fan, wide fan, long distance)
Cost: $17,500
Warranty: 1 year on equipment
Special Features: For operator convenience agitator controls are at each end of the tank. A low machine profile allows for easy material loading and excellent stability.

Hydro Terra H300LS

Manufacturer: Hydro Terra
Model No.: H300LS
Capacity: 300 gallon, no rust poly tank
Dimensions: 96 inches long, 60 inches high, 38 inches wide
Engine: 13 HP Honda electric start
Pump: 3-inch by 3-inch centrifugal pump
Agitation: Two 2-inch HyrdroTerra agitation nozzles fast mixing
Discharge: 100 feet of spray hose with gun
Nozzles: 3 spray nozzles
Cost: $3,200
Warranty: 1 year
Special Features: Skid Mount channel iron frame allowing four-way fork pickup. All hoses equipped with camlock quick connect for ease of use.

Kincaid Equipment AgiGator 425

Manufacturer: Kincaid Equipment
Model No.: AgiGator 425
Capacity: 425 gallons
Dimensions: 96 inches long, 53 inches high, 48 inches wide
Engine: 13 HP Honda
Pump: Positive Displacement Gear Pump
Agitation: Mechanical
Discharge: 300 feet by 1/1/2-inch hose Nozzles: 4 (2 fan, 2 distance)
Cost: $8,900
Warranty: 1 year
Special Features: No clogging sparger tubes. Among the largest internal jets on the market and highest gallons per minute pumps.

Reinco HG-5H2

Manufacturer: Reinco
Model No.: HG-5H2
Capacity: 500 gallons
Dimensions: 115 inches long, 65 inches high, 60 inches wide
Engine: Standard 20 HP air-cooled, EC gasoline
Pump: All iron end suction centrifugal, 250 gpm at 50 psi
Agitation: Primary variable speed oil hydraulic powered blender, secondary Hydro-Jet recirculation
Discharge: 1 1/4-inch by 50-foot heavy duty reinforced poly hose
Nozzles: 4 (long range, medium range, wide fan and narrow fan)
Cost: $13,900
Warranty: 1 year
Special Features: It produces a completely homogenous slurry mix without high horsepower requirements. This variable speed assembly is suspended vertically to eliminate tank shaft bearing maintenance.

TGMI, Inc. Aqua Mulcher 500

Manufacturer: TGMI, Inc.
Model No.: Aqua Mulcher 500
Capacity: 500 gallons
Dimensions: 95 inches long, 46 inches high, 60 inches wide
Engine: 12 HP Kohler
Pump: 2-inch gear pump with steel gears
Agitation: mechanical pump agitation
Discharge: hose (cannon optional)
Nozzles: one long distance, one fan
Cost: $11,500
Warranty: one year machine, two years engine
Special Features: Paddle agitation loads machine rapidly, giving thorough mix from first to last gallon. Spray materials stay mixed in suspension.

Manufacturer: Turbo Turf
Model No.: HS-300-E
Capacity: 300 gallons
Dimensions: 95 inches long, 44 inches high, 54 inches wide
Engine: 13 HP Honda engine with electric start
Pump: 3-inch by 3-inch centrifugal pump
Agitation: primary jet
Discharge: 100 feet of 1 1/4-inch discharge hose
Nozzles: three nozzles (wide hydroseeding nozzle, straight distance nozzle, trim nozzle)
Cost: $3,995
Warranty: 3 years tank, 2 years engine, 1 year pump
Special Features: Units now feature an all new tank design with a molded in bale hopper which nearly totally eliminates spilling mulch and other seeding material while loading the tank. A new tank has one 16-inch hinged lid to allow easy addition of hydroseeding materials.

Manufacturer: TurfMaker
Model No.: 430
Capacity: 430 gallons
Dimensions: 97 inches long, 53 inches high, 56 inches wide
Engine: 12 HP Kohler
Pump: Positive Displacement
Agitation: Mechanical
Discharge: 2-inch hose by 50 or 100 feet
Nozzles: 3 nozzles (30 gpm, 40 gpm and 50 gpm)
Cost: $7,350
Warranty: 1 year machine, 2 years engine
Special Features: Area covered per tank load includes 3,750 square feet of wood mulch at medium rate, 2,000 square feet of wood mulch at heavy rate and 12,000 square feet of paper mulch at light rate.

Power Points

425 – Average capacity, in gallons, of hydroseeders featured on this page.
Source: LCN tabulation