Who the Earthway 2600A Plus Is For
The 2600A Plus is the sweet spot for homeowners who are done replacing cheap plastic spreaders every 2 to 3 years. It targets the gap between disposable consumer models and professional commercial units. If you fertilize 3 to 6 times per year, overseed in fall, and apply pre-emergent in spring, this spreader handles all of it for a decade or more with basic maintenance.
Build Quality
The frame is powder coated steel, a step below the 2150’s stainless steel but far above the plastic frames on consumer models. The rustproof poly hopper holds 40 pounds, enough to cover 10,000 square feet of fertilizer per fill. The 9 inch high-flotation poly tires roll smoothly on flat terrain and handle moderate slopes without ruts.
The EV-N-SPRED 3 hole drop system is the same patented technology used in Earthway’s commercial lineup. This is the key differentiator from consumer brands. Most residential spreaders use a single adjustable gate that creates inconsistent flow. Earthway’s 3 hole design distributes product through calibrated openings for a more uniform fan pattern.
Side Spread Control
The 2600A Plus includes a retractable side deflector that blocks product throw on one side. This is Earthway’s answer to Scotts’ EdgeGuard feature. It works by sliding a shield into the throw path, creating a roughly 90 degree spread pattern instead of the full 180 degree arc. In practice, the deflector shield can stick after dusty products gum up the slide mechanism. Clean it after every use or it becomes difficult to operate. Some owners skip the side shield entirely and use a leaf blower to push stray product back onto the lawn.
Handle and Ergonomics
The handle height is designed for users of average height, roughly 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 10 inches. The rate control lever is within easy reach and holds its position securely. Taller users, particularly those over 6 feet 2 inches, may find the handle low. A common modification is adding an 11 inch section of electrical conduit between the handle and the control mechanism, which requires drilling a few bolt holes.
The low profile hopper design keeps the center of gravity close to the ground, making the 2600A Plus stable and easy to push even when fully loaded. Total weight with a full hopper is about 55 pounds.
What It Handles
Granular fertilizer, grass seed, pelletized lime, pre-emergent herbicide, and ice melt all work through the 2600A Plus. The Flex-Select tray system (Standard-Output red tray included) lets you optimize for different product densities. For most lawn care applications, the included red tray is all you need. Swap to the Low-Output black tray for light pre-emergent applications or the High-Output blue tray for heavy ice melt duty.
Limitations
The 9 inch poly tires work on firm, flat ground but sink into saturated spring soil more than the 2150’s pneumatic tires. If you regularly fertilize in early spring before the ground firms up, this can be a problem. The powder coated steel frame will eventually show wear if cleaning is neglected, though it is far more durable than bare painted steel. At around $200, the 2600A Plus costs 4 times more than a basic Scotts spreader, which is the right investment for longevity but a real consideration for budget-conscious buyers.
Verdict
The 2600A Plus is the spreader we recommend to homeowners who ask us what to buy. It has commercial DNA at a residential price point. The EV-N-SPRED system produces noticeably more even results than single gate consumer spreaders, and the build quality means you are buying one spreader instead of three over the same time period.
