V box questions

[chtucker]

So know that I have a few events/spreads under my belt...

1) I actually like the smalller size of my v box as I only have 2-3 acres to cover and I don't have to worry about leaving product in the spreader (did that the first time uncovered DOOOHHH!!!*Q@&!@*&)....

But, Being that the box is from a pickup, it has the shorter chute. How high should the spinner be from the ground? What is the downside of having it higher? Would you go through the trouble of lengthing the chute/spinner?

2) I want to weld on some square tube and cover the back of the truck with 4 mudflaps and wire up a second set of tailights/reverse lights. Do you think I am asking for corrosion trouble by using the 7 pin trailer plug? (Unused it is sealed from the salt)

3) If I was to mount a vibrator, where would I put it?


4) I put the spreader on two 2x4s to lift it off the bed so I could wash underneath it.... Shoud it sit on the bed to carry the product or am I just getting some spillage?

5) I have it secured with 4 10k straps.. Do you think if I weld on some d rings I could get away with 4 2.5k ratchet straps? It is only a 1.8 yard...

that is all for now.


THANKS!

Howard

[Chuck Smith]

Well Howard, it's late so I will tough on two things. Get yourself a piece of rubber or vinyl "runner" like that used on floors, and bolt a piece across the back of the body edge. You can cut a slit at the top, just enough to snake the trailer light harness through the hole. Cut a small piece to use as a flap, to cover the slit.

Get yourself a set of trailer lights, and mount them on the V box. Also, you might want to move your license plate onto the V box too. Maybe in your state it is not mandatory to have a front plate, so if you can move the front plate to the spreader, then leave the back plate on.

Use dielectric grease on the trailer plug, not gobs of it, but coat it lightly, and you should be all set. You can add a second flap of rubber / vinyl over the trailer plug too, to help keep salt off it.

The downside of having the spinner higher is a wider spread pattern, and more "bounce" when the product hits the ground. That can be good and bad.

Sitting on 2x4's is fine. The bottom of spreaders are not perfectly sealed, and there is residual on the drag chain/belt that ends up in the bed.

Ok, so I gave $0.02 on more than 2 things.... LOL

~Chuck

[CPSS]

If the spinner is low, you can get more salt under parked cars in parking lots.