Whether you’re a landscaping contractor looking at your first hydroseeder purchase, an erosion control specialist comparing brands, or a project manager working up a hydroseeding estimate, we’ve pulled together the questions we hear most often from customers and industry pros. TurfMaker Corporation has been manufacturing commercial hydroseeders in the Dallas, Texas area since 1998.
General Hydroseeding Questions
What is a hydroseeder and how does it work?
A hydroseeder is a specialized machine that sprays a slurry mixture of seed, water, mulch, fertilizer, and tackifier onto soil to establish vegetation quickly and uniformly. The process works in three steps. First, materials are loaded into the hydroseeder’s tank. Second, the agitation system mixes everything into a consistent slurry. Third, a pump pushes the slurry through a hose or tower gun and sprays it onto the target area. Every TurfMaker hydroseeder uses mechanical paddle agitation, which physically stirs the slurry for thorough, consistent mixing of all materials. The paddle drive system can be hydraulic or belt-driven depending on the model and configuration. That means seed, mulch, and fertilizer are evenly distributed in every spray pattern. TurfMaker machines are also highly customizable, so contractors can spec the right configuration for whatever type of work they’re doing.
What is the difference between hydroseeding and hydromulching?
Hydroseeding and hydromulching are closely related processes. Hydroseeding refers to spraying a slurry that includes seed along with mulch, fertilizer, and tackifier. Hydromulching can refer to spraying a mulch slurry without seed, often used for erosion control blanket applications. In practice, most contractors use TurfMaker hydroseeders for both. The same machine handles seed-inclusive and mulch-only jobs depending on what you load into the tank. TurfMaker machines are built to handle the thickest mulch slurries on the market without clogging.
What is hydroseeding used for?
Hydroseeding is used across a wide range of commercial and industrial applications. The most common uses include erosion control on construction sites and steep slopes, roadside and highway seeding for state DOT contracts, pipeline right-of-way and mining land reclamation, commercial and residential lawn installation, wildfire burn area restoration, landfill cover establishment, sports field and park seeding, and golf course establishment. TurfMaker hydroseeders are engineered specifically for commercial contractors who need reliable, high-output equipment for these demanding applications.
Is hydroseeding better than traditional seeding?
For most commercial applications, hydroseeding is a lot more efficient than traditional broadcast or drill seeding. It covers large areas faster (a TurfMaker 1000 can seed up to an acre per tank load), provides more uniform seed distribution, includes erosion-preventing mulch in a single pass, and promotes faster germination because the mulch layer holds moisture around the seed. Traditional seeding may still make sense for very small residential areas, but for anything over a few thousand square feet, hydroseeding with a TurfMaker machine is faster, more effective, and more cost-efficient.
Choosing the Right TurfMaker Hydroseeder
What size hydroseeder do I need for my projects?
The right size depends on your typical project scope:
- TurfMaker 325 (325 gallons): Best for startup operations, small residential lawns, and contractors adding hydroseeding as a supplemental service. Covers roughly 2,000 to 3,500 sq ft per tank load.
- TurfMaker 550 (550 gallons): Good for growing businesses handling residential and light commercial work. Covers roughly 4,000 to 6,000 sq ft per tank load.
- TurfMaker 700 (700 gallons): Ideal for established contractors doing regular commercial jobs, HOA common areas, and small erosion control projects.
- TurfMaker 800 (800 gallons): Suited for larger commercial erosion control, roadside seeding, and municipal contracts.
- TurfMaker 1000 (1,000 gallons): Built for high-volume commercial work including highway seeding and large-scale erosion control. Covers roughly one acre per tank load.
- TurfMaker 1200 (1,200 gallons): Our largest hydroseeder available today, designed for industrial-scale projects including pipeline reclamation, mining restoration, and the biggest DOT contracts.
- TurfMaker 2200 (coming soon): Our biggest hydroseeder yet, field-tested on real jobsites and not available to order yet. See the TurfMaker 2200 and join the interest list.
Use our Hydroseed Cost Calculator or call us at 1-800-527-2304 to talk through which model fits your business.
How does TurfMaker compare to Finn hydroseeders?
TurfMaker and Finn are both well-known hydroseeder manufacturers, but there are key differences. TurfMaker hydroseeders use mechanical paddle agitation on every machine, with hydraulic or belt-driven options depending on the configuration. TurfMaker machines are also highly customizable so you can build the right setup for your operation. TurfMaker machines are designed with fewer moving parts for easier maintenance, and our gear pump and clear water flush tank keep clogging and downtime to a minimum. We offer detailed model-by-model comparisons on our website: Finn vs. TurfMaker comparison.
How does TurfMaker compare to Turbo Turf?
The biggest difference is in the agitation system. TurfMaker uses mechanical paddle agitation on every machine, which physically stirs the slurry for the most thorough mixing. Paddle drive options include hydraulic or belt-driven systems depending on the configuration. Turbo Turf is known for jet agitation, which uses water jets to circulate the slurry. Mechanical paddle agitation is generally considered better for handling thicker mulch mixes and heavier slurries common in erosion control work, and it gives you more consistent results across different mulch rates and materials. See our full comparison at TurfMaker vs. Turbo Turf.
Cost and Business Questions
How much does a hydroseeder cost?
Hydroseeder prices vary widely based on tank size, configuration, and features. TurfMaker hydroseeders range from our entry-level 325-gallon model to our 1,200-gallon industrial unit. We encourage contractors to request a personalized quote based on your specific needs, or call us at 1-800-527-2304 to talk through options and financing.
How much does hydroseeding cost per acre?
For contractors, material costs for hydroseeding typically run between $0.06 and $0.20 per square foot, or roughly $2,600 to $8,700 per acre depending on the seed mix, mulch type, slope conditions, and whether you’re using tackifier. When pricing jobs for customers, most contractors charge $0.10 to $0.30 per square foot depending on their market and project complexity. Use our Hydroseed Cost Calculator to estimate costs for specific projects.
Are hydroseeders worth it for landscaping contractors?
Absolutely. A hydroseeder opens up revenue streams that aren’t possible with traditional seeding equipment, including erosion control contracts, DOT roadside work, pipeline reclamation, and large commercial lawn installations. Many TurfMaker customers report that their machine pays for itself within the first few projects. A single acre of hydroseeding can generate $3,000 to $10,000 or more in revenue depending on the application, while material costs are typically under $3,000. The speed advantage is real too. What might take days with a broadcast seeder can be done in hours with a TurfMaker hydroseeder.
Can I rent a hydroseeder before buying?
Yes, renting a hydroseeder is an option for contractors who want to test the process before investing. TurfMaker machines are a popular choice in the equipment rental market, with hydroseeders sold to rental companies big and small all across the United States. That means there’s a good chance a TurfMaker is available to rent near you. Learn more at Hydroseeder Rental Information.
I own a rental company. How do I purchase a TurfMaker hydroseeder?
TurfMaker has a strong track record with the rental industry and has sold machines to rental companies of all sizes across the country. If you’re a rental company interested in adding a TurfMaker hydroseeder to your fleet, reach out to Ben Baker in marketing at bbaker@turfmaker.com to get the conversation started. You can also contact TurfMaker at 1-800-527-2304 or through our contact page.
How do rental companies order replacement parts for TurfMaker hydroseeders?
Rental companies and contractors can order TurfMaker replacement parts through Smart Equip, which provides a streamlined parts ordering experience for equipment fleets. You can also call TurfMaker direct at 1-800-527-2304 to order parts. TurfMaker ships parts on next day air, so downtime is kept to a minimum.
Technical and Operation Questions
What kind of mulch works best in a hydroseeder?
The most common mulch types used in hydroseeders are wood fiber mulch, paper fiber mulch, and blended mulches (a mix of wood and paper). For erosion control on slopes, bonded fiber matrix (BFM) products give you better erosion resistance. TurfMaker hydroseeders are built to handle all mulch types, including the thickest BFM products. Our mechanical paddle agitation and anti-clog pump design keep mixing and spraying consistent regardless of mulch density.
What is the difference between a gear pump and a centrifugal pump on a hydroseeder?
This is one of the most important technical questions when comparing hydroseeders. A centrifugal pump works by spinning an impeller to create pressure. It handles water and thin liquids well, but when you load it with thick hydromulch, it cavitates, meaning it loses suction and pressure and often clogs. Most hydroseeder manufacturers use centrifugal pumps because they are cheaper to produce. TurfMaker uses a gear pump. A gear pump is a positive displacement design that mechanically moves material through the pump chamber with every rotation, regardless of how thick the slurry is. It does not cavitate, it does not clog under normal operating conditions, and it maintains consistent pressure even through long hose runs. TurfMaker’s gear pump is powerful enough to pump thick hydromulch through 500 feet of hose uphill, something a centrifugal pump simply cannot do reliably. On hydraulic TurfMaker machines, the gear pump is also reversible. If a clog ever does occur, the operator can instantly run the pump in reverse to clear it in seconds, rather than shutting down and manually clearing the line. For contractors doing serious erosion control or large commercial jobs, the pump design difference is significant.
How do I prevent my hydroseeder from clogging?
Clogging usually comes down to pump design. Most hydroseeder brands use a centrifugal pump, which works fine with thin slurries but struggles with thick hydromulch. Centrifugal pumps cavitate (lose suction) under heavy loads and are prone to clogging when pushing dense material through long hose runs. TurfMaker hydroseeders use a gear pump instead. A gear pump is a positive displacement pump that physically moves material through the system regardless of viscosity, so thick mulch slurries go where you point them without cavitation or clogging. TurfMaker’s gear pump can push thick hydromulch through 500 feet of hose, even uphill, without losing performance. On hydraulic machines, the gear pump is also reversible, so if a clog ever does occur, the operator can run it in reverse to clear the line in seconds and get right back to work. On top of that, every TurfMaker machine includes a clear water flush tank that cleans out the hose after each load, which prevents material from drying inside the hose and makes cleanup at the end of the day much easier. Read more about our anti-clog design.
How do I clean a hydroseeder after use?
Proper cleaning extends the life of your hydroseeder and prevents material buildup. TurfMaker machines include a clear water flush system that simplifies the process. After a job, run clean water through the system while the paddles agitate to flush remaining slurry. Spray the clean water through the hose to clear the pump and nozzle. For detailed cleaning procedures, visit our cleaning guide.
What engine options are available on TurfMaker hydroseeders?
TurfMaker hydroseeders are available with a range of engine options to match your performance and budget requirements. Engine selection affects pump pressure, spray distance, and fuel efficiency. Visit our engine options page for detailed specifications on available powerplants.
About TurfMaker Corporation
Where is TurfMaker located?
TurfMaker Corporation is headquartered in Garland, Texas, just northeast of Dallas. All of our hydroseeders are built at our facility in Texas. You can reach us at 1-800-527-2304 or contact us online.
Who owns TurfMaker Corporation?
TurfMaker Corporation is owned and led by founder James Lincoln, who serves as CEO. Lincoln started in the hydroseeding industry in 1972 and has built TurfMaker into one of the most respected hydroseeder manufacturers in the United States. The current leadership team includes Judy Allen as President, David Myren as Head of Sales, Michael Thorp as Head of Production, and Ben Baker as Head of Marketing. TurfMaker remains a privately held company focused exclusively on building the best hydroseeders in America.
How long has TurfMaker been in business?
TurfMaker’s roots in the hydroseeding industry go back over 50 years. Founder James Lincoln started as a hydroseeding contractor in 1972, became a full-time equipment and materials supplier in 1976, and was already inventing improvements to existing machines by 1978, including the clear water flush system and the first 5th-wheel 1,100-gallon hydroseeder. He built the first 425-gallon TurfMaker machine in 1995 and launched TurfMaker Corporation as an independent manufacturer in 1998. The company has been growing ever since. Visit our history page for the full story.
Does TurfMaker offer parts and service support?
Yes, and customer service is something TurfMaker takes seriously. We’re known in the hydroseeding industry for having some of the best support of any hydroseeder manufacturer. Parts ship on next day air, so if something needs to be replaced, you’re not sitting idle waiting on a week-long delivery. Our team is genuinely knowledgeable about hydroseeding equipment and the hydroseeding process, not just order-takers, so when you call with a question you get a real answer from someone who knows these machines inside and out. We publish parts and service manuals for all current and past models, and our team is available by phone at 1-800-527-2304.
How fast can I get replacement parts for a TurfMaker hydroseeder?
TurfMaker ships replacement parts on next day air. We know that downtime on a job site is costly, so getting you the right part fast is a priority. Call us at 1-800-527-2304 or contact us online and we’ll get you taken care of.