Apply your pre-emergent and fertilizer quickly and efficiently. Material prices are on the rise, save 30% of your fertilizer using the Vortex Spreaders, not to mention saving many labor hours.

Place your order today!

Florida News: Ficus and Other Whiteflies Landscape Management Workshop

Attendance was huge for the two Whitefly meetings, almost 400 listened as University and Industry experts talked about an issue that is now moving North and West in Florida. The meeting was video taped and will be on the site listed below for everyone to review and learn about this major issue in the Florida market. The Vortex Spreaders are great for applying all labeled granular insecticides to control the host of insects causing major headaches in many regions of the state. 

For more information click here.

Florida Blueberry harvest is happening right now. Heavy fertilization is next, the Vortex is a great tool to place fertilizer at the top of the soil mound and out of the drive row. High density beds are simple, apply fertilizer from the sides of the bed and cover the entire area in two passes.

Vortex Tech Tip: What is in the carton when the Vortex SPC arrives?

You will receive 2 cartons on Fedex Ground when a Vortex SPC is shipped to your location.

Carton 1 is the spreader itself.
Carton 2 is the Shindaiwa EB344 blower.

The spreader is carefully packed to insure everything is intact when the spreader arrives. The handle and blower shelf are zip tied to the main frame, remove all from the carton as one assembly.

The wheels are packed on one side and the axle, leg and cross brace are on the opposite side. The fertilizer hose and extension tubes are place on top of the spreader.

Assembly instructions, the blower hose and clamp, axle washers and pins and the material screen are inside the hopper. The blower is sealed at the factory. Keep the blower tubes in case you are going to remove the blower and use it off of the Vortex SPC.

Assembly is quick and easy, four nuts to tighten on the blower shelf, five bolt and nut sets to assemble the frame. One bolt and nut set for the axle and four pins and four washers for the two wheel and tire assemblies.

Practice using the spreader after assembly. Change the engine speed, change the extension tubes, vary the amount of material flow. You will be able to fine tune the spreader for your application. Become an expert at applying material with the Vortex SPC.

Please do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions regarding operation of the Vortex Spreaders

Partner News: April is a beautiful month at FarmLinks

See the Vortex Granular Spreaders in action at FarmLinks. We are a proud On The Course Partner at FarmLinks in Sylacauga, Alabama. We hope you have a chance to visit FarmLinks soon. Pictured below are visitors at Farmlnks attending the On The Course Tour.

Click the logo for more information

Golf courses use the Vortex Spreaders for bunker face applications of fertilizer, insecticides, seed and any other granular materials other than sand. Apply pre-emergent herbicide in the bunkers for weed control. Use the spreaders for ornamental areas around the clubhouse, parking areas, natural areas, anyplace a granular material needs to be applied.

Using the correct lubricant is a must.

After the spreader has been cleaned, the unit is now ready to be lubricated. The cable on the Vortex SPC should move smoothly.  The open/close valve plate on all units should  function smoothly and move fully open and closed.

Do not use any spray with petroleum distillates, this will cause the granular material to build up on the valve components.

We recommend:

• Dupont Teflon Multi-Use 11oz aerosol can
• Dupont Teflon Non-Stick Dry Film Liquid 4oz bottle
• Dupont Teflon Silicone Lubricant 4oz bottle

The materials listed above are available at Lowe's. Similar products are available from other vendors.

Lubricate the SPC Cable as pictured.

Lubricate the TR, SPX and SPC valve- apply to the valve plate
that is used to start and stop the material flow.

Please do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions regarding operation of the Vortex Spreaders.

Now is the time to order for Spring!

Utility Vehicles, Boats, Trailers, Golf Carts- Vortex has a spreader to fit your needs. We can answer questions about new equipment, materials that can be applied using the Vortex Spreader, rates, spreader configuration and much more.

Application Update

Material and Labor Cost are on the Rise - How can using the Vortex Spreaders save money?

More efficient use of labor. Large and small areas of ornamental material are covered with one or two associates, instead of many. No walking through ornamental beds to deliver material to the entire area. No carrying bags or buckets and using a scoop to throw product.

Why walk through a bed of material with thorns, when you could use a Vortex and apply from the bed edge?

More efficient use of material. Cover an entire ornamental bed with no heavy and light areas of product. Think about spreading turf by hand, you would have streaks, burned areas and waste. This is what happens in ornamental beds when the material is thrown by hand. Using the Vortex Spreaders will save more than 30% of your granular products over hand application. Apply ornamental material like a Pro!

Spring application of Pre-emergent Herbicide and Fertilizer are just around the corner.

Florida News: Ficus and Other Whiteflies Landscape Management Workshop

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Sponsored by- Palm Beach County Extension & The Palm Beach County Whitefly Task Force

Call 561-233-1725 to reserve a seat! Seating is limited. A panel of University and Industry Experts to answer your questions. For more information click here

Vortex Tech Tip: Calibration

One of the most asked questions is: How do I calibrate the Vortex Spreader?

1. Determine the pounds per thousand square feet of material needed.
2. Measure one thousand square feet.
3. Load the spreader with the material
4. Spread the material
5. If material is left in the hopper after covering the one thousand square foot area- Slow the forward speed or open the valve wider. If material is out before covering the thousand square feet- Increase the forward speed or close the valve opening slightly.
6. Repeat test on another block of one thousand square feet.

Many granular chemical manufactures supply a calibration catch tray to insure proper rate. Ask your supplier if the material you are using has a calibration tray available.

Please do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions regarding operation of the Vortex Spreaders. All Vortex Tech Tips can be found on our website: http://vortexadvantage.com/content/

Partner News: March is a busy month at FarmLinks

See the Vortex Granular Spreaders in action at FarmLinks. We are a proud On The Course Partner at FarmLinks in Sylacauga, Alabama. Click the link below for more information. We hope you have a chance to visit FarmLinks soon.

Golf courses use the Vortex Spreaders for bunker face applications of fertilizer, insecticides, seed and any other granular materials other than sand. Apply pre-emergent herbicide in the bunkers for weed control. Use the spreaders for ornamental areas around the clubhouse, parking areas, natural areas, anyplace a granular material needs to be applied.

Application Update: What material can the Vortex Spreaders apply?

From mini prill to extruded clay pellets and everything in between. Fertilizers, Insecticides, Pre-emergent Herbicides, Granular Growth Regulators, Aquatic Herbicides, Sodium Carbonate Peroxyhydrate, Pest Control Products. 

Spring application of Pre-emergent Herbicide and Fertilizer are just around the corner.

Florida News: FTGA Regional Turf Seminars Continue in February

Record Turnout for January Shows!

Again this year, Vortex will be among the sponsors of the FTGA Regional Turf Seminars. Seminar attendees include lawn care and landscape professionals, golf course superintendents, as well as parks, recreation and sports turf managers. Attendees will receive CEUs in both CORE, Turf and Ornamental categories as well as CCA and GCSAA Points. Click here for complete information: 

Vortex Tech Tip: Reduced flow of material?

Most material flow issues are either clogged hose connections or a dirty manifold. On the Vortex SPC, remove the fertilizer hose and check for material build up at the junction of the hose and pvc fitting. If material has built up, use a rod to remove the clog and wash with soap and water. On all units check the manifold for material build up. Once again, use soap and water to clear the material. Vortex offers manifold cleaning brushes for all units. Theses brushes clean the manifold spotless! Call and order one for your spreader today.

Please do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions regarding operation of the Vortex Spreaders. All Vortex Tech Tips can be found here.

Always A New Pest: Rugose Spiraling Whitefly

This picture was taken in Delray Beach, FL. The Rugose Spiraling Whitefly has infested many areas of Southeast FL. Click here for more information on this pest.

Partner News: Springtime at FarmLinks

See the Vortex Granular Spreaders in action at FarmLinks

We are a proud On The Course Partner at FarmLinks in Sylacauga, Alabama. Click the link below for more information.

Golf courses use the Vortex Spreaders for bunker face applications of fertilizer, insecticides, seed and any other granular materials other than sand. Apply pre-emergent herbicide in the bunkers for weed control. Use the spreaders for ornamental areas around the clubhouse, parking areas, natural areas, anyplace a granular material needs to be applied.

As always, we appreciate your business! Give us a call with suggestions, things we can improve on, or if you need new unit purchase information. We are here to help. Please tell a friend about Vortex Granular Systems, help them save material and labor.

Most material flow issues are either clogged hose connections or a dirty manifold. On the Vortex SPC, remove the fertilizer hose and check for material build up at the junction of the hose and pvc fitting. If material has built up, use a rod to remove the clog and wash with soap and water. On all units check the manifold for material build up. Once again, use soap and water to clear the material. Vortex offers manifold cleaning brushes for all units. Theses brushes clean the manifold spotless! Call and order one for your spreader today.

Please do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions regarding operation of the Vortex Spreaders.