looking for opinions on sanders [Archive] - Snowplowing-Contractors.com

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jazzbo

11-08-2008, 06:01 PM

Hi new here on this site. I've been in business 30 years. I am looking to see if anyone has any experience with the new 2 yd poly sanders. I've heard fisher has problems with the rubber conveyor belt not pulling. I have seen some with the auger type feed instead of a conveyor.
I really need to replace my sander this year. It's just rotten away. I should have bought the stainless just couldn't see the cost then. Now, well I've seen the light!
Any suggestions would be great. Thanks

OSCLandscaping

11-08-2008, 06:19 PM

Welcome to LTS, I can't help you with info on the poly sanders, we run all stainless. I am sure some one here can give you some feedback. Did you try searching the forums?

Mr BigBlock

11-08-2008, 08:41 PM

jazzbo

11-08-2008, 09:03 PM

Welcome to LTS, I can't help you with info on the poly sanders, we run all stainless. I am sure some one here can give you some feedback. Did you try searching the forums?
Hi OSC, Nce country up there! I vacation on the five Kezars over in N.Waterford. Like I said very nice.

jazzbo

11-08-2008, 09:05 PM

I bought a Vmax 8500 sander last year its poly with an auger so far no probs still looks great. II usually run straight salt only ran sand a few times sand is a pain in the ass. I am currently looking for a second vmax.

Hi Mr Bigblock, Did you have trouble with the sand and the auger or was it just you don't want to deal with the mix?

urethane dino

11-09-2008, 05:37 AM

4 spreaders come to mind

Smith industries with electric drive all SS

Airflow SS with electric drive

Snowway/ Iceo way SS with electric drive

Downeaster SS with electric drive

See a theme, I thought you might
Gas engines on small spreaders are not meant to mix.
The elctric and SS is a proven and super reliabale combo.
I have 2 smiths I have been running both for over 8 years and they are rock solid. I would add another in a heartbeat.
Swing away or drop off shute is a must as well.
Dino

Pelican

11-09-2008, 08:33 AM

I don't have direct experience, but my friend and member John DiMartino has a SnowEx he swears by. He's had it a number of years and I believe the only problem he's had is a burned out controller.

There's a contractor I work with at the Town highway who uses a Salt Dogg, he's had it for 4 or 5 years now. I've talked to him about it, he's very happy with it, says it's been trouble free.

There's been a lot of discussion on this new style spreader here, it seems the only problems are bridging of moist material (solved by adding a vibrator) and the controllers burning out.

T-Zab

11-09-2008, 08:48 AM

I have run over 225 tons of Bulk salt in a 2 yard Buyers salt dogg over the last 2 seasons. No problems other then freeze-ups from wet bulk.
I never spread sand, but I did spread several loads of salt that had water running out of the pile and It did so with out a hitch. I did make sure I got the product spread as quick as I could though.
The controller's that come with the Salt Dogg are Karrier so no worrys about the controller burning up. The shute removes easily for towing too.
Its not a bad lil salt spreader for the buck, and no black steel (other then the grate) to rot and fall off, or re-paint every season.
I know several snow ex owners with there v-'s and they have done well, they just have to re-paint the frame every year.

I dont think you could go wrong with an electric stainless v-box like Dino mentioned. If you have the extra cash to spend, there proven products for sure as well.

jazzbo

11-09-2008, 10:19 AM

Thanks everyone. I know stainless is the way to go but the cost was whats stopping me. I do like the idea of a lighter poly sander if the auger would work. Plus the cost seems to be a lot cheaper by a third. I'm also worried about the stresses on the poly will it tend to crack.

urethane dino

11-09-2008, 11:54 AM

My hesitation with a auger fed spreader is that if you plan on running sand or sand salt mix, the auger is not you best means of doing so.

A drag chain is best if you are running sand, augers have a tendency to tunnel out. Drag chains just keep brining the materials to the spinner. Plus the poly can crack, and I know of a few people who have backed into things and cracked their hoppers.
I know stainless hopper are more money but longevity will more than make up for the extra cost.
If I remember, the air flow electric is in around 4500, not to bad.
Dino

paulsoccodato

11-09-2008, 12:34 PM

stargazer

11-10-2008, 08:37 AM

Dino's right on.

The first v-box, I bought years ago was a plain steel torwell, with a Briggs. I washed it after every use, and it still rotted on me. The engine, while being mostly trouble free was noisy, needed gas, tune-ups, oil changes. I have since gone to electric, stainless ice-o-ways. Night and day difference. No worrying about gas, oil, sparks plugs. Nothing to them, wire it up and go.

I also looked at the smiths, I would’ve bought one, but they were sold out. Rock solid units as well. I don’t have any experience with the poly units, but the best advice I could give you is, don’t buy anything in haste, if you can’t afford it, wait and save.

You guys have convinced me to try electric. I was interested in poly and weight reduction also. I went to the Fryeburg fair specifically to check out the spreaders. They had lots of models there. None are perfect. The fisher poly was cheap, but seemed cheaply made. The top screen was one piece - hate that very much - and was very flimsy. I can walk around on my downeaster top screen! Then I worried about UV, all plastic I've ever seen cracks from sun. I'm not going to store it inside. I also thought about the occasional desire to pump heat into it. I've seen plumbers hold PVC in front of their tailpipe in winter and bend 4'' heavy PVC pipe.

Last winter my helper backed the sander into an oak tree. Hard! It bent the motor mount tray and shoved the sander ahead so hard it bent the headboard forward. Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. I've since talked to a dealer who sold a fisher poly to a young guy who backed it into something - could have been a frozen snowbank - and totally shattered it.

I've decided on a regular downweaster electric in stainless steel. I don't like the price but I like the brand and the stainless. I've been hanging out at this site reading all I can find about wiring. When I learn enough I'll be able to know (I hope) what to ask. Too ignorant at this point. I had no idea how complex wiring can be. Kudos to Jerre, Fred, Wizard, Wildman and all the other brainiacs with experience, knowledge, and a very helpful attitude. :notworthy

Wizard

11-10-2008, 08:59 AM

Brainiac? Naaah... Just willing to share my experiences and what little I know... :o

Best part about stainless, is a little polish and it looks good as new... And it took a whole let less time to polish the stainless spreader than scrape and paint the lopro... :rolleyes:

http://www.wizardsnow.com/ltsimgs/buzz08.jpg

Big Dog D

11-10-2008, 12:17 PM

Brainiac? Naaah... Just willing to share my experiences and what little I know...

Best part about stainless, is a little polish and it looks good as new... And it took a whole let less time to polish the stainless spreader than scrape and paint the lopro...

http://www.wizardsnow.com/ltsimgs/buzz08.jpg

Now there's a guy with priorities....the truck, plow and sander all sleep inside. Where does your wife park? :beatsme

:popcorn2

What no lights on the sander stand????? :D

Wizard

11-10-2008, 09:00 PM

Now there's a guy with priorities....the truck, plow and sander all sleep inside. Where does your wife park? :beatsme

What no lights on the sander stand????? :D

Nope, no lights on the jacks, sorry to disappoint you... :(

Wife parks where I'm standing to take the pic, she was gone to work when I snapped the pic... The chevy barely fits over there... I have about 1.5" between the rear bumper and the garage door, and thats with the front bumper tight to the front wall. The door barely brushes the ladder... No more scraping ice off the ladder or having to lug around an extra 20 pounds of ice on the ladder this year... :D I still need a bigger garage since the F350 doesn't fit, it still sleeps outside. The spreader will be sleeping outside soon, in the back of the truck, I plan on just leaving it in this year since I got the chevy for work...

stargazer

11-11-2008, 03:45 AM

Nope, no lights on the jacks, sorry to disappoint you... :(

The door barely brushes the ladder... No more scraping ice off the ladder or having to lug around an extra 20 pounds of ice on the ladder this year... :D

Do you mean you don't have to scrape the ladder because the garage door does it for you? :grinz

That polished Buzz Box looks way too nice to put on a truck and put dirty things in. Wouldn't it make a nice dining room table? Or a fancy coffee table in the living room?

Very nice!!!!!!!!

Wizard

11-11-2008, 08:07 AM

That polished Buzz Box looks way too nice to put on a truck and put dirty things in. Wouldn't it make a nice dining room table? Or a fancy coffee table in the living room?

Very nice!!!!!!!!

Dont give me any ideas... :D

Looks like it may get some use today... Coating of snow on the ground, just switched over to rain, temp is 29... :rolleyes:

DLCS

11-11-2008, 08:28 AM

Wizard

11-11-2008, 08:55 AM

With all that stainless steel, that spreader looks like it belongs in a commercial kitchen. I've never seen one that shiny before. :grinz I bet it gets alot of stares with the stainless and all the lights?

It does get quite a bit of attention... But contrary to popular belief, that's not why I bought it. :rolleyes: It's quite frankly the most versatile piece of equipment I've ever owned and has dang near paid for itself in time and materials saved in 1 year... :D

2lilweeds

11-11-2008, 05:41 PM

Buzz box is cool, wish I could get my hands on one!

Snowboy

11-11-2008, 06:31 PM

Here is the best of both worlds possibly.

Plastic spreader but with a drag chain.

http://www.downeastermfg.com/files/polyspreader_front.pdf

http://www.downeastermfg.com/sitebuilder/images/poly2_copy2-499x345.png

http://www.downeastermfg.com/sitebuilder/images/poly5_copy-219x301.png

http://www.downeastermfg.com/sitebuilder/images/poly4a_copy-324x233.png

Wizard

11-11-2008, 10:36 PM

Happy DJ... Now it's sleeping outside AND dirty... :cash

http://www.wizardsnow.com/ltsimgs/dirtybuzz08.jpg

Wizard

11-11-2008, 10:49 PM

Buzz box is cool, wish I could get my hands on one!

Yeah, I feel very fortunate. I jumped on this thing right away and didn't let up on Rockit until there was one in my driveway. It was worth the 6+ month wait, and glad I got it when I did. I'm still holding out hope that Rockit corp either starts mfg them again or sells the patent to a worthy party who will make them. Only problem with the buzz box is the cost. So much fun trying to justify it to your accountant and insurance lady when you add it to the ol' inland marine policy... :rolleyes:

todddude

11-12-2008, 03:42 PM

Snowboy

11-12-2008, 06:24 PM

. Remember, that downeaster is a new model, not yet proven. In fact, it's a prototype, that's how I know I saw that exact spreader.
.

Oh I didn't know it was a prototype. What could go wrong with it thou? Same motors on the dump insert salter they sell. Same drag chain on the steel version?

stargazer

11-12-2008, 06:49 PM

Oh I didn't know it was a prototype. What could go wrong with it thou? Same motors on the dump insert salter they sell. Same drag chain on the steel version?

I don't know if anything would go wrong, It's not like they never built a spreader, they'e built all kinds and sizes so lots of experience. Could be I just didn't want to wait. Their phone number is 207-729-8782.

I forget the price, $4K+, around what I paid for the electric stainless. I think there were options, maybe electric or hydraulic or selfcontained hydraulic, so price varied with options. I do know it was in the running for my final choice.

IIRC the "U" channel has conveyor chain above and below the bottom. Some sand always carries around and lands in the truck bed in my experience. That's why I use wooden feet, to give a wider stance and to allow an aluminum square shovel to slip under and pick up the sand now and then, like when I'm stuck on ice.

Yes, same drag chain. I've never had a problem with their chains. Wash'em in the spring and fall, oil them up good (while running). I use foaming motorcycle chain lube. Seems better than the bar oil I used to use, and easier.

Wizard

11-12-2008, 08:20 PM

I aleays have used SS Smith & Airflo. Like the smith electtric a bit better. The gas Airflo is tempermental in cold. But I might trade them both in for that Buzzbox thing! It's like Xmas on your own truck! Nice set up. Anyone in CNY sell them?

They're not for sale anywhere, the company that made them shut down right as production started due to health issues of it's owner. I haven't heard an update though in quite a while. It is believed that there are less than a dozen units that made it out the door, only 1 of which was stainless.

stargazer

11-22-2008, 04:13 AM

They're not for sale anywhere, the company that made them shut down right as production started due to health issues of it's owner. I haven't heard an update though in quite a while. It is believed that there are less than a dozen units that made it out the door, only 1 of which was stainless.

Guess you don't feel too special then, do you? By the way, how did you polish your (one and only) unit so nicely, polishing compound first or just wax and buff? Very atractive finish.

Wizard

11-22-2008, 07:26 AM

Guess you don't feel too special then, do you? By the way, how did you polish your (one and only) unit so nicely, polishing compound first or just wax and buff? Very atractive finish.

Special... I could have sold this thing 10 times over for twice what I paid for it. It's a huge time and money saver in my operation, I wouldn't trade it for anything. No, it's not special at all... :wink

Zep Flitz, a power ball (which dont hold up very well BTW), and a whole lotta rags and elbow grease... :wink Flitz works great, you should see the old diamond plate tool box I attacked with the stuff... BTW, dont drive behind my work truck with your brights on... :D

DLCS

11-22-2008, 11:41 AM

Brendan,

Can you get parts for your Buzz box if needed or is everything pretty much universal?

atgreene

11-22-2008, 12:24 PM

Elect. is definitely the way to go. I've run all the different styles of V boxes, the electric beats hydro and gas engine versions hands down.

Not to hijack your thread, but I'm looking for a tailgate sander (one of those hitch mount types). What have you found on those in your research? I need one just for salt at a couple accounts and am looking for someone to do the leg work for me :D.:popcorn2

Welcome to LTS btw.

paulsoccodato

11-22-2008, 06:05 PM

Not to hijack your thread, but I'm looking for a tailgate sander (one of those hitch mount types). What have you found on those in your research? I need one just for salt at a couple accounts and am looking for someone to do the leg work for me :D.:popcorn2

Alan,

I've had a couple different hitch mount snow-ex salters. Quality units,They worked great.

coolcatman1

11-22-2008, 07:03 PM

we have a self contained curtis v box sander on one of our falt beds it works great the only thing is getting it started when first going out after its started it runs like a champ ours looks just like the one on this flat bed

OSCLandscaping

11-23-2008, 06:11 AM

Wizard

11-23-2008, 09:26 AM

Brendan,

Can you get parts for your Buzz box if needed or is everything pretty much universal?

All of the wear parts so far have been universal parts. The bearings I needed I was able to walk into a supplier and match them up. The blades are standard box cutter blades. Most of the structural stuff is custom, though it shouldn't break, this thing is built heavier than it needs to be... So far so good, all the wear parts are greaseable and easy replaced if needed.

atgreene

11-23-2008, 05:20 PM

Alan, is the p.u. with the sander electric? I'd like to look at it next time you come over for salt, if it is.

Yup, the '98 has the electric Downeaster. Works awesome. I still need to change the gear to slow it down, but other than that it is nice. He'll probably be over Mon to get a little just in case.

I'm looking for a small unit for the ghetto truck. Just something to hold 500 lbs. or so for a couple small lots.

Wizard

11-23-2008, 09:52 PM

I'm looking for a small unit for the ghetto truck. Just something to hold 500 lbs. or so for a couple small lots.

Too bad them little snowex mini-v's are so expensive. For what they run, you can dang near buy a 2 yard in stainless...

miles

12-12-2008, 06:38 AM

any thoughts on tailgate spreaders? salt dogg? snow ex? boss? looking to buy one but no idea what to buy?:popcorn2

miles

12-12-2008, 08:04 AM

it seems with snow ex and boss you have to buy the mount kit at an additional cost. that puts you up to like 2k. or more. like the wizard said... to much money for a gate spreader. the salt dogg 10 cu. ft. "TGS06" is selling for 1k around here (buffalo) and even comes with the vibrator, another extra with the other guys. that seems like a no brainer to me. anything i'm missing?:beatsme