Tarping your Spreader?

[hlntoiz]

I would like to know what some of you do to tarp your spreaders? When I had my F450 I used a waterproof tarping system built on the truck. Now that I don't have a dump bed I have to find a way to tarp my spreader.

I know the obvious is to just use a 8x10 tarp from the hardware store but they never fit right and they are a real pain to deal with.

I was looking to get something like what comes on the Salt Dogg? What is the demensions on that cover anyway? I want some thing that fits tight and is easy to deal with.

Any suggestions/pics would be greatly appreciated.

[Pelican]

It would cost you a few bucks but you could go to a place that makes boat covers and have one custom made.

[snowjoker]

Try rubber roofing and bungee cords....:wink

[John Banks]

both good ideas. get a piece of epdm, attach some grommets and use bungies, or you can get a custom cover made such as a boat cover/tonneau cover.

[wingplow]

Matt, theres a guy i know over here in Harwinton who has covers on all his sanders, if i get a chance i'll stop by there tomorrow and find out where he gets them

[hlntoiz]

Matt, theres a guy i know over here in Harwinton who has covers on all his sanders, if i get a chance i'll stop by there tomorrow and find out where he gets them

Brian Sweet! Let me know.

Thanks everyone for your ideas so far.

[Jerre Heyer]

BUFFALO custom Canvas Co. Makes them to any size and with any reinforcement that you want. Buffalo NY.

Jerre

[nevrnf]

Why not make a cover like the Westen Tornado? A sheet of marine grade plywood and some hinges. Paint it black and you have a cover that wont be blowing all over in the wind.

[CGSI]

Matt
I went to the local shop here that makes boat covers and the sewed a cover together that has formed corners and a little extra in the middle for the crown of the pile. They also made it so that it is a loose on the length and width buy a couple inches so that I do not have to fight it to go on in the cold. They also put grommets all the way around it for bungee cords. I can be tarped and untarped in less than a minute and it keeps the Magic 100% dry. Best spent 125 bucks yet. Using a home cheapo type tarp just becomes a sail and water is driven in under the edges.

[hlntoiz]

Why not make a cover like the Westen Tornado? A sheet of marine grade plywood and some hinges. Paint it black and you have a cover that wont be blowing all over in the wind.

I thought about doing this with SS. It would be pretty trick looking But it is going to get pricy.

Matt
I went to the local shop here that makes boat covers and the sewed a cover together that has formed corners and a little extra in the middle for the crown of the pile. They also made it so that it is a loose on the length and width buy a couple inches so that I do not have to fight it to go on in the cold. They also put grommets all the way around it for bungee cords. I can be tarped and untarped in less than a minute and it keeps the Magic 100% dry. Best spent 125 bucks yet. Using a home cheapo type tarp just becomes a sail and water is driven in under the edges.

John That is exactly my point, What you described is pretty much exactly what I am looking for and for a fair price. Could you PM me their info?

Brian, Still would like the local guys name.

Thanks guys

[T-Zab]

Matt, I will measure the Dogg Tarp today. It is a great feature that adds to the value of the Slat Dogg. Like John mentioned, it comes off really quick. Usually I just undue the center and back bungee's and lay the tarp over the cab.

[GMC Driver]

I do the same Todd - amazing how quick it is to pull off and on - I roll it up over the tool box, load up, pull it back on and am down the road in no time.


The tarp on the Doggs is great. Every salt spreader should come with a tarp like the ones these have!

[Big Dog D]

What makes you want to cover it? I have been running sanders for 25 years and currently run 3 without covering them and have had no problems. Have you had a pronlem that made you want to do it or is it a preventative thing?

[T-Zab]

What makes you want to cover it? I have been running sanders for 25 years and currently run 3 without covering them and have had no problems. Have you had a pronlem that made you want to do it or is it a preventative thing?

In my experience dry salt spreads better. I've also experienced Zero jambs with my electric salt spreader. Compaction would be the worst problem, especially on some of the more poorly designed units. Were talking smaller v-box spreaders here, not 2.5 ton and up units with hydraulic drive. Muni's/State dont tarp either but there also running larger equipment with plenty of power to move heavy water laden material, and spinners that dont need to spread past 10'.
thats my 2 cents

On a side not you should see my latest sander, she's a beaut... Made in germany by Festool

[Lawn Lad]

I've not used him for salt spreaders yet - but think I will after reading through this post.

However, we used Hogan Awning (Jim) in Willoughby, Ohio (440.951.3908) to make covers for sand boxes that we installed this summer. He calls them 'toaster covers'. You give him the dimmensions and he makes it. He has a number of different grade materials including the heavy duty dump truck black or red material. Sand box covers were between $90 and $150 depending on size and material selected.

[Big Dog D]

In my experience dry salt spreads better. I've also experienced Zero jambs with my electric salt spreader. Compaction would be the worst problem, especially on some of the more poorly designed units. Were talking smaller v-box spreaders here, not 2.5 ton and up units with hydraulic drive. Muni's/State dont tarp either but there also running larger equipment with plenty of power to move heavy water laden material, and spinners that dont need to spread past 10'.
thats my 2 cents

On a side not you should see my latest sander, she's a beaut... Made in germany by Festool

Im just running 2.5 yard Torwell sanders that are powered by a Honda engine with belts, no hydro's. The way the sanders are usually set we typically throw a 25ft. swath but can go much further by turing up the RPM's on the engine.

I find that the biggest key to the spread pattern is the type of disc being used. The sanders we run come with a steel 4 flute disc. We take them right off and put on a 6 flute poly disc and it makes a huge difference.

[wingplow]

Matt, heres a couple places that are local that you might try

Commercial Sewing Inc..482-5509, i know that make alot of snowmobile and boat covers, seen there work and its wicked nice

J.D. Industrail Sewing, 482-0088, seems like a smaller place, maybe a better price

also i got a callto my buddy but havent heard back from him about where he gets is, but if i had to bet i'd bet it was commercial sewing

[hlntoiz]

Matt, heres a couple places that are local that you might try

Commercial Sewing Inc..482-5509, i know that make alot of snowmobile and boat covers, seen there work and its wicked nice

J.D. Industrail Sewing, 482-0088, seems like a smaller place, maybe a better price

also i got a callto my buddy but havent heard back from him about where he gets is, but if i had to bet i'd bet it was commercial sewing


Thanks Brian, I will call them tomorrow.


What makes you want to cover it? I have been running sanders for 25 years and currently run 3 without covering them and have had no problems. Have you had a pronlem that made you want to do it or is it a preventative thing?

I dont' usually cover it when I first go out to pretreat. It usally isnt' snowing or hardly at all. But once the snow flys I like to keep it as dry as possible. i always keep a yard or so in the sander for spot salting plus it helps balance out the truck nice. A good amount of snow will dilute the Magic Salt and loose it potency. Magic is to expensive to just let drip away.

[T-Zab]

Matt,
The Salt Dogg tarp is 48X95 1/2".

[atgreene]

It is amazing that Downeaster, Fisher and the others haven't made these up as an option. I need to see about a couple as well, good project for next week.:popcorn2

As for throwing material, I'm in a different boat all together. I need to regear my Downeaster so it throws a narrow path as everything we do is small with the exception of two parking lots that are 50' at their widest.

[hlntoiz]

Matt,
The Salt Dogg tarp is 48X95 1/2".

Thanks Todd.

I was thinking of a draw string type?????what do you guys think??

It is amazing that Downeaster, Fisher and the others haven't made these up as an option.

Seriously D:huh

[urethane dino]

I use a canvas tarp. Always wanted to hinge 2 pieces of ply wood that would fold out to let extra material slope off the truck, and then fold in to cover the load, but I have yet to take the time to do so.
Dino

[hlntoiz]

I use a canvas tarp. Always wanted to hinge 2 pieces of ply wood that would fold out to let extra material slope off the truck, and then fold in to cover the load, but I have yet to take the time to do so.
Dino

To redneck! I have a guy here in town who does some sweet work. I am getting the spreader worked on Thurs. I am going to ask him what it would take to put to SS doors on top? He is pretty good.

here is the Diamond plate box I had him make years ago that went with the F450:

(17412


Never mind the Aluminum Sideboards on the 6500

17413

He does pretty trick work!

[Tileman]

Matt and guys been reading this for a while, and have a couple of thoughts on the tarps. First I have a VP800 in the back of the service body and it has a tarp on it, it came with the unit. Now I use it all the time I like others like as dry a salt as I can have. Down here in southern Ohio we get to play in the frezzing rain as much if not more than snow. Ok all of this said I get real tired of climbing up on the side of the bed and rolling the trap out of the way to refill. Now here is what I have been looking into, but have yet to got it done.

I know some of you farm boys have an idea of what I am thinking. Yes a roll tarp for a salt spreader. One you can stand at the very back of the truck and roll it off the top of the speader to one side, fill the spreader, then roll it back over the load. And never get off the ground.

Did a search last night for roll tarps, got just under a gazillion hits. But did check out the first 20 or so. Some real nice stuff out there. Just need to get some ideas of how to best go about building one myself. There is a guy here in the county who makes all kinds of boat tarps just need to see if he thinks he can help me out.

[CGSI]

Rich
The only problem with what you are thinking with the roller is if it is not seriously wider than the spreader you may get a fair amount of flapping. I use the one on the F-550 but it is 8 foot wide covering a 6 foot wide spreader and if i am making a long run I put a couple tarp straps on the side edges

[Tileman]

Check this out http://www.agricover.com/index.php/products/category/C37/this is what I was thinking about. These tarps have a bulk head in front to stop the wind from getting under them and there solid on one side, and tuck up under the other side when they are set and locked in place.

[CGSI]

Rich.. That style would work well.... I used them on trailers before and are easy to make

[stuvecorp]

We had the custom tarp made for our 10' vbox and it keeps the product dry. After I got it I wish I would have taken some lexan with hinges at each end that could fold up like you are talking about and just use those rubber bugee thingys to hold the top down.

[hlntoiz]

Rich if you notice on the two pics of my dumps I have auto tarping systems. Those have a Asphalt tarp which was waterproof. Just let back and then fold the extra to the back to of the spreader. Then it was two bungys. It was pretty easy.

My issue now is I have the spreader in the back of my pickup and there is no tarping system. So far the best option is the custom cover.

[Mark Oomkes]

Thanks Todd.

I was thinking of a draw string type?????what do you guys think??



I have one on my 550. Didn't want the arms in the way of loading salt--read bent to crap--so I went this route. Works good, pretty good retraction spring in it so you have to have good footing when pulling it over the bed.

Works really good on the way back in. :eek:

[hlntoiz]

Matt,
The Salt Dogg tarp is 48X95 1/2".

I measured today. The lengh is good but my spreader has custom extentions and it is 60" wide:(.

I am going to have to do something custom.

[hlntoiz]

John here is a pic of my spreader on the dodge. I had a bar put in the center so the tarp wouldn't sag The spreader front to back is 8' and side to side (at the points) is 5'.

I got a price from a local guy for $250. I thought it was a little pricy.

17499

[CGSI]

John here is a pic of my spreader on the dodge. I had a bar put in the center so the tarp wouldn't sag The spreader front to back is 8' and side to side (at the points) is 5'.

I got a price from a local guy for $250. I thought it was a little pricy.

17499

Matt... Mine was 189 tax included

[hlntoiz]

John Thanks. I think i am going to go with my guy....after shipping and/or deisel It is the same price.

Plus most importantly "networking" is key!

Thanks for everyone's help. I really appreciate it!! Pics to follow next week!

Thank God for SNOW last night!

[mdb landscaping]

Dont order yet! I just had 4 custom made tarps made for all of our sanders. A man on the Berlin Tpke on the Meriden side made them. Its called Deb's Auto Upholstery. He used a boat like canvas, and put nice brass grommets in and re-inforced the stiching. They were $115.00 a piece and they work awesome. Then we drilled and installed two eye lets on the head boards of the dump trucks, and attached the front of the tarp with caribeaners. The back of the tarp is held on with two bungees. All you do when you load is undue the two bungess, peel the tarp to the head board, load, and recover. If you need his number let me know. He can even make them in any color you want.

-matt

[hlntoiz]

Dont order yet! I just had 4 custom made tarps made for all of our sanders. A man on the Berlin Tpke on the Meriden side made them. Its called Deb's Auto Upholstery. He used a boat like canvas, and put nice brass grommets in and re-inforced the stiching. They were $115.00 a piece and they work awesome. Then we drilled and installed two eye lets on the head boards of the dump trucks, and attached the front of the tarp with caribeaners. The back of the tarp is held on with two bungees. All you do when you load is undue the two bungess, peel the tarp to the head board, load, and recover. If you need his number let me know. He can even make them in any color you want.

-matt

Got any pics?

[mdb landscaping]

I dont have any pictures. If i remember tomorrow ill try and grab a picture. You are welcome to swing by the our shop if you are out this way at all to check them out. I ordered them over the phone without seeing the material and I was very happy how they came out. If you swing by his shop he can show you the product probably. Really nice guy named Fran. He made a jeep top for my father quite a few years back, and has done some other work for another buddies re-upholstering his boat. Stop by and see him. Tell him I sent you down.