Question 1

Rechargeable? If not what size batteries?

Accepted Answer

The problem with NiMH rechargeables is that they are at most 1.2V each.  Alkalines are 1.5V each, so trying to use NiMH will only give the device 5V (1.2V x 4) instead of 6V (1.5V x 4).  Some devices won't operate at 5V, thinking that the alkalines batteries (really NiMH) are dead.

There are several lithium AA batteries available on Amazon that should directly work.  They are the type that have micro-usb charge ports on the side of them, and present regulated 1.5V (like alkaline) at their terminals, rather than the typical 3.2-3.6V of unmodified lithium cells.  They have a decent capacity, and should easily last a spreading session on an average yard.  I use these extensively in devices that take AA alkalines, with excellent results.  They are pricey, but save money and waste in the long run.  You probably already own the necessary charging infrastructure (a micro-usb cable and a wall-wart usb charger).

You can also try to use two 3.2V lithium unmodified rechargeables along with two AA "dummy" cells.  This will give 6.4V to the spreader instead of 6.0V from alkalines.  I've used this method successfully in a trail camera that takes 8 AA batteries.  I use four 3.2V rechargeable lithiums and four dummy AA cells.  You will need to buy a charger for these, though.  Amazon sells four packs of these batteries, bundled with a cheap charger.

Question 2

Will it spread rock salt or only the smaller, more evenly sized (and more expensive) chemicals?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately no the rock salt is just too heavy and large for it even at the 9 max opening setting and with fresh batteries it struggles and stops clogs up, maybe if you can find a finer ground rock salt possibly but the little motor seems underpowered it is not heavy duty, ended up using it as a big scoop and shaking it to spread the rock salt. It can handle lightweight things like grass seed very well and other small pellet fertilizers like milorganite. Don't think it would be good for any powders only small pellets. I'd skip this and look into buying a walk behind/push broadcast spreader for spreading rock salt.

Question 3

can you use preen in this spreader

Accepted Answer

The Scotts Wizz Handheld Spreader is designed to spread granular products.  Unless the product to be spread is highly powdered or sticky it should spread fine.  Several kinds of products are sold under the Preen label.  I do not know which product you are interested in using, so I am speculating.  The Preen Lawn care products should spread fine because they are designed for use with broadcast spreaders.  The Garden Products are generally applied by hand using the sprinkle container, but both the Garden and the Organic Garden products are granular so they should both work unless they have gotten moist.  One word of caution though, the recommended applications rates may need to be converted to dial setting by experiment.

Question 4

Do it come with a scoop?

Accepted Answer

No scoop, I've been just dumping my gradular feed & fertizers into the hopper. It's not hard. For other things to garden, I have even taken some of our old measuring cups and used them as well to also measure weed killer. Hope this helps.

Color	Brown
Size	1 Pack
Style	Modern
Material Type	Plastic
Number of Items	1
Included Components	Scotts Wizz Spreader - Handheld Power Spreader, Use Year-Round, Covers Up to 2,500 sq. ft., Brown
Batteries Included?	No
Brand	Scotts
Department	Unisex-Adult
Manufacturer	The Scotts Company LLC
Item model number	71131
Product Dimensions	59.06 x 19.69 x 48.9 cm; 952.54 g
ASIN	B011HY5Q1K

Scotts Whirl Hand-Powered Spreader

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