When calibrating a fertilizer spreader, what is the purpose of performing a test pass?

• A. To clean the spreader hopper
• B. To verify that the actual dispersion rate matches the target rate per 1,000 square feet
• C. To determine the area of the property
• D. To mix fertilizer types

Answer: (B)

Calibrating a fertilizer spreader hinges on confirming that the actual dispersion rate matches the target rate per 1,000 square feet. A test pass spreads a known amount over a measured area and you calculate the rate to see if it aligns with the desired pounds per 1,000 sq ft. If it doesn’t, you adjust the spreader settings—such as gate size or spinner speed—and test again until the measured rate matches the target. Using a standard area like 1,000 sq ft lets you compare results reliably across different equipment and conditions, ensuring uniform application and preventing over- or under-fertilizing. The other options are not about calibration: cleaning the hopper is maintenance, estimating property area is planning, and mixing fertilizer types is formulation, not how much material the spreader actually puts out per area.