Broadcast or Drop Spreader

[River Hill]

I have just picked up another large townhouse coummunity that has approx. 1 mile of walks. I need to find a better method for spreading MAG flakes other than by hand with a bucket. Have you found a spreader that works well, with out throwing alot of material on the grass? Is there any other ideas you may have?

[BRL]

Congrats & good luck with the new account!

I've never used a drop spreader for fert or salt, but I've seen them up close. I can't imagine they'd spread deicing materials well with the way they are set up. So go with a broadcast IMO. Most of them have optional side deflectors that you can buy to keep the materials from spreading wide (or make one yourself as other members here have). I'd go large with a 100 pound hopper, and you can also get stainless steel to help it last longer.

Also, what are you clearing the walks with? 15 laborers with shovels (yes there are a few complexes around here done that way LOL), an ATV or mower with plow, snowblowers, or other? If you're using the ATV or mower method, the spreader companies make salt spreaders that mount on them, so that is an option also.

[76chevyman]

Id go with a broadcast if your worried about it going on the grass or want to contain it more. Just add a defleter to the side's of the spinner were you dont want it to go the it will only through the salt front and back rather then all 4 coners .

Rich:burnout

[River Hill]

I used a sub who has two large Ariens snowblowers and that worked out good. I am in the process of looking for a large 2 stage unit. The Honda 621 I have is fast and light but I need something larger. I think each snowblower will have it's place. I wish the rubber paddles would last longer as it's costing us about $100.00 for parts and time changing them every two storms. I have a Lesco spreader and I have the right side deflector. I does ok but the MAG still goes over too much to the left. I might try using some mud flaps or something else.

I have thought about getting a ATV, but I it can only do so much. There are times when a large 2 stage will come in handy.

[BRL]

The flaps I bought for my Earthway can be separately adjusted up or down, left right & front. So you can really put the material where it is needed without waste & damaging stuff that doesn't need to be deiced. So I'd say just get something on the other side for sure.

I have a friend with lots of toys that he subs to a large landscape company that does many of these townhouse\condo type complexes. He subs his ATV's with plows & they do miles & miles of walks, just the real long runs. Separate crews do the paths from the main runs to the buildings etc. with shovels & blowers.
So with a mile total including those little paths, I agree that the ATV wouldn't be right for that situation, unless you already had one sitting around doing nothing ;) And I agree that the little Honda is probably not the best thing to use there either.

[mdb landscaping]

we use broadcast spreaders, and rivet pieces of old mudflaps on the side. we got two new spreaders the other day, and we didnt have any mudflaps, so i cut the pliable cheesier planting pots in half and riveted them on....they worked great.