Suggestions for Under tailgate spreader purchase

[Lawn Lad]

Well, it's that time of year again to buy equipment. I may be blind, but didn't find my answers searching. In fact, found very little on under tailgate spreader discussions.

Last year I bought a Smith Electric in stainless to insert in a one ton w/o hydraulics. Well, this year I bought a truck with hydraulics (again, a 1 ton). I called the Smith supplier and the price installed is about $2900 to $3000 depending on what hoses he'll need ($2500 spreader/$400 labor).

Is the Smith under tailgate the best spreader? Why, why not? The only option as far as I know for Smith is to have the discharge on one side, no center discharge (one auger, not two). I thought a center feed/drop might be a better option for doing aisles and general salting. Never used the under gate variety that was driver side.

Any other brands I should consider? I know dealer support is critical, but let's look at the features/durability, etc. first and then I'll select the dealer that carries the product.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions.

[Mike Nelson]

I too run Smith electric, DownEaster electric, several hydraulics, and a couple of gas jobs.

I would be interested in seeing if I could find a manufacturer to make an electric under tailgate spreader. Would like to have two motors for better control. I believe the downfall would be the draw?

Doug are you looking for a hydraulic sander? I have a 4 yarder.

[Mark Oomkes]

Doug, we've had 2 Monroe under tailgate spreaders. They both have been very good for us. Usually replace the chain at least every other year, sometimes once a year. We've had to replace some bearings also, but that was mostly from not being greased enough. Both have been run off central hydraulics with a 'manual' valve in the cab. We can control the spinner and auger speeds individually. It is invaluable IMO to be able to control these operations separately. This is why I would buy a gas or electric model as a backup only.

I would strongly recommend a 2 auger model, they chew up most chunks that you will get, but not all.

There are times that a spinner off to the side is nice and other times when it is not so nice. I am a little biased towards our tailgate vs v-box, because we don't get nearly as good a pattern out of our v-box as our under tailgate. It is nice for getting under cars during the day, as long as the spinner is low enought that you don't hit the bumpers. When the offset spinner is not so nice is when you are going through a narrow lane\driveway and trying to get the salt in the middle and not on the curb\landscape\whatever. I think each type has its place.

[wyldman]

First off,you need fairly capable hydraulics to run one.Some of the smaller units are 16 GPM up to 25 GPM for the bigger units.It also should be a full time open center system,so you don't cook the fluid.

We use Henderson unit's which are left side offset.They do throw a little left side heavy,but by slider the spinner across,and adding a baffle,you can salt laneways\aisles in one pass.

By raising the box up,which drops the spinner,you can get right under the cars.

Most common problems are bearings seizing\wearing out,and general rot\rusting.If you keep them clean\lubed,they will last for a few years with minor maintenance.

I prefer the single augers,as they are less likely to chew up things that will jam them.Try to get a direct or gear drive,as the chain drive units tend to rust up the chain quickly.

[D.J. Vander Slik]

Doug,

We have had good success with our Henderson. As you stated it is very important to have dealer support. We have back up spreaders so it is not such a big deal here. But we have had no break downs in 3 years and we probably have run 1500 tons through out spreader.

Let me know what you find.

Thanks

D.J.

[4evergreenlawns]

Well on my dump truck I am running a Flink CENTER dischage undertailgate HYD spreader. It has work great and yes you are right about the parking lanes, same with gas stations, as well as getting the salt where you want it when foot there it alot of foot traffic. I feel it cuts down my time.

[4evergreenlawns]

As for the DUMP INSERT, I also added a dump insert to my P/U and just sold my V box.

I will be getting the all electric Downeaster Tailgate spreader they make for the dump insert. It too is Center Discharge with two motors one for the auger and one for the spinner and an adjustable speed control unit upgrade which is a must.

They do not have any in product at of yet but I will post some picture as soon at I get it mounted.

Hope that helps.

[Mike Nelson]

Hi Ron,

When I called Downeaster about their electric undertailgate spreader, they told me they don't make it anymore. That was about a month ago. Let me know if you hear different.

Thanks

[4evergreenlawns]

You are correct about the UNDERTAILGATE all elec. but they are still making the Tailgate replacement for the Dump insert. You need to talk to BOB.

HYD is hte way to go with a UNDERTAILGATE unit as shown.

[Lawn Lad]

Thanks all... I'll check into the Henderson, Monroe and Flink. I also should check to see the gpm on the truck's hydraulic system, I guess I was a little naive to think that it was simply plug and play. I know there is an adjustment knob on the pump under the bed.

Has anyone used or had experience with a Smith hydraulic undertailgate spreader?

[Lawn Lad]

One brand no one mentioned was Buyer's. The cost difference for a Buyer's versus Swenson/Monroe is about $800 - $900. Is there enough of a difference between brands to justify the cost difference? These seem like simple enough machines/mechanics so what really makes the difference?

[wyldman]

While I have never used the Buyers,I have seen them.They look as if they are a decent unit.These type of spreaders are quite simple,so I would assume it should work as good as anything else.

[obryanmaint]

doug

i have the meyer under tailgate(munroe with a meyer sticker) we like how you can easily"undo" the bottom of the spreader to clean out, i think many of the newer models will have this , ours is direct drive so there are no chains, which is also something that most will be that are new.....my spinner is mounted offset, but there is some adjustment to it

[Del-Mac]

Well, I'll give you my 2 cents worth. I've personally used both v-boxes (1.5 yrd to 13 yrd), and undertailgate spreaders on 1 ton dumps up to tri axle dump trucks. my personal prefrence is for the undertailgate spreaders with a left side discharge, reason being I have better visibility of the salt going down, I'm also able to get the salt under parked cars alot easier. With the manufacturers now making them in stainless steel I think these are just about perfect. Now for the down side of these, you have got to raise the truck body in the air to get salt to the spreader, not the greatest thing in a parking lot with lots of overhead wires :greenange. So be careful. They also tend to jam if the salt gets clumpy. V-boxes, don't like so much I know I'll get hammered for this but its my OPINION. They DO have their place, driveways, small parking lots, keeping asiles open in businesses. On the plus side for v-boxes they use all of the available salt, not prone to jamming, dont have to raise body. On the down side LOTS of moving parts that need LOTS of attention, As I said before I'm not a big fan of center discharge, but understand it's benefits in the right areas. I think it all comes down to the type of areas you need to salt, as both units have thier own distinct personalities. Just my 2 cents.


P.S. Get the stainless model you'll be happy with it.