What is a drop spreader?

• A. A handheld applicator that dispenses a small, measured amount of pesticide.
• B. Uses a spinning plate to distribute the pesticide in a much wider swath than the width of the spreader.
• C. Have a row of holes across the full width of the hopper bottom.
• D. Are used to apply liquids via mist.

Answer: (C)

Drop spreaders are designed for granular products and deliver material by letting it fall straight down through openings that run across the full width of the hopper bottom. This setup creates a narrow, direct drop beneath the spreader, providing precise, localized application. That’s why the defining feature is a row of holes across the hopper bottom.

This differs from other devices: a handheld applicator that dispenses a small measured amount isn’t specific to a spreader’s internal design. A device with a spinning plate that throws product in a wide swath describes a broadcast spreader, not a drop spreader. And a system that applies liquids as a mist is a sprayer, not a spreader.