[MNLI]

looking to buy a salt sand spreader the knd that fitts n the back of truck. do we go gas or dc motors auger or conveyor belt stainless steel or poly. we live right on the snow line some years snow, some years none.

[Matt Kulp]

If you are set up to handle bulk spreading, then I would go with stainless, conveyor chain, and gas motor. I don't know of any box spreaders that run off of dc. The gas are nice, just make sure you get an electric start for the engine. Make sure to keep the spreader VERY clean after every storm and oil the living daylights out of the conveyor or auger. You will on average have to replace the track or auger every 5-7 years due to rust.

If your applications are so sporadic, why not get a tailgate/hitch spreader and just apply bags? You will get the spreader for half the price and the bagged product will be easier to handle and store if you have an off year.

[HRLand]

Air flow makes a nice electric model with separate motors for the chain & spinner. I have an Ice-O-Way 1 yd stainless with electric motor. We don't take on more than a couple small lots so the size is perfect and I don't have to climb in and out of the bed and mess around with bags. Bulk salt is much cheaper and I no longer have to deal with jams.

[Matt Kulp]

Originally posted by HRLand
Air flow makes a nice electric model with separate motors for the chain & spinner. I have an Ice-O-Way 1 yd stainless with electric motor. We don't take on more than a couple small lots so the size is perfect and I don't have to climb in and out of the bed and mess around with bags. Bulk salt is much cheaper and I no longer have to deal with jams.

Is Ice-O-Way the brand or the model? Since it has two motors, do you have two controls or just one for both functions?

[HRLand]

Air Flow and Ice o way are different companies. If I knew about the air flow 2 years ago I would have bought it. The ice 0 way only has one motor and I think I paid more for less capacity but it does work great. The deal with two motors is that you can adjust the chain and spinner speed independantly but both turn on with one switch.

I have never owned a gas model before so I can't really say which is better. However my friend who has three older gas units bought an ice o way back when I did and just bought another electric model.

[scl]

In the latest issue of Snow Magazine I saw an ad for a SnowEx all electric 1.4 bed salter for $3999.00 with 6 mos. SAC. Just a thought! I use a Western 1000 tailgate and go through about a pallet of bagged every 2 storm (49 bags @ 50 lbs each). Kind of a pain but no storage problems and no delivery problems. I have nowhere closeby that sells bulk, and I bet the DOT would get upset with me if I showed up to get a load LOL!

Scott

[MNLI]

we bought a salty dog spreader to day from j-thomas. will be here in two weeks. decided to go electric less replacment parts,no gas and oil to wore about. i'll let u guys know how it works if i get to use it this year. thanks for all the in put.

[site]

How hard is it to buy bulk salt by the ton in TN? We buy directly from the port where they unload it from the ships since its right in town. If you can get bulk you will need a good dry place to store it. If it gets wet it clumps. You also need a machine to load bulk into your sander.
There are a ton of options for spreaders. Stainless will last longer than poly, but it's probably more expensive. Snow-ex has quickly become a really popular brand around here. Reliability is really more important than price. De-icing is all about being in the right place at the right time. If you are late because your sander broke your customers will hate you. I own two mild steel sanders. We can do the whole route with one, so one is technically a spare. There have been times when both act up at once and we have to drive the whole route shoveling salt. If you don't own a sander you are probably thinking we should do a better job of maintaining the equipment. The thing is with a spreader the corrosion is accelerated by the salt. After a storm we wash really well and lube the chains with dirt bike chain lube that is made to stick like glue to whatever you spray it on. A month later the chain (yes with lube) is rusted so bad it won't even bend. Corrosion also attack wiring. We use watertight connections wherever possible and coat all exposed metal electrical connections (grounds, etc) with dielectric grease or vaseline.

[Pelican]

I owned a gas powered V box spreader and will avoid owning another at all costs. It doesn't sound like you'd see enough use to warrant central hydraulics, it's very costly. I've heard very good reports from owners of electric driven spreaders, especially Salt Dogg and Snow Ex. They both have polyurethane hoppers and are gravity fed, no conveyor chain to drive or rust. They are also less costly than the conventional type V box since there are fewer moving parts, which also equals less maintenance.

I know of one contractor I work beside who has the Salt Dogg doing municipal work and it has been trouble free.