Spreader tarpaulin

[cutntrim]

Anyone cover their bed sanders with a tarp? I'm planning to go to a local tarp manufacturer around the corner from me to have them measure and make-to-order a heavy tarp for my new AirFlo sander. I'm going to see if a weld shop can weld a "channel" around the perimeter for me to hook/bungee the tarp to when it's on.

I'd like to keep the spreader covered between salt trips and if I'm just out plowing w/o salting.

[Alan]

I use a sheet of rubber roofing membrane over mine. Cheap and totally waterproof. I ran three rubber cords across the top to hold it down. Works really well and it's heavy enough to not get shredded from the wind.

I thought about having a cover made from the material they use for boat tops, but I figured the cost would be wicked high.

[Mick]

I use a cheap Blue Poly and hold it down with two 2" straps.

[John DiMartino]

I use the rubber membrane like Alan does.It works great and is extremely durable.Also it is pretty heavy and wont blow away,it may come off the spreadr if you dont tie it,but it will not blow away.

[cutntrim]

The tarp company quoted me $150-$200 for a heavy-duty rubber/vinyl tarp custom fitted to the size/shape of my spreader with grommet tie-downs. Basically like the types you see on open-roofed tractor trailers.

I paid extra to go stainless steel with the spreader, so I'd like the tarp to last as long as the spreader does. Also then I'd be able to take the highway without worrying if it'll flap around or blow off.

[Snowboy]

Just wondering why would you want to cover your Sand/Salt you have a gas spreader so it shouldnt matter if it gets wet ? Wouldnt your truck be too heavy if you had the plow on it and full of salt / sand in the back ?


Just Curious... :huh


Dave.

[cutntrim]

Well, the salt is relatively dry when it's loaded into the spreader but I would have the cover on between runs - not when I've filled up and am out salting. One of the reasons I got a 2500HD was specifically because it can handle the weight of a spreader. However, unlike some guys, I don't plan on extending the side boards in order to increase the load I'm carrying.

[Lawngodfather]

Western/Fisher has one for their spreaders, might fit on others.

It's custome fit for it too.

I do not have one, my dealer told me about it when I was talking about a tarp to cover it.

We only load up salt to spread, We don't go out with salt in the spreaders.

If we do load any up before hand, they get parked indoors or trow a small tarp over it, while the trucks are sitting.

[Snowboy]

Ok i still dont get it thou.. Whats the point ? So it gets wet ? Will it not spread far enough if its wet or will it fudge the spreader ?

If its wet its almost like useing pre treated sat and in essence if its wet it will have salt brine on it and it should work faster since it's wet and it wont bounce as much off the ground like dry salt does. I dont think you would loose that much salt if thats what your worred about by the snow getting at it, i understand why you cover your stock pile but not the spreader.

I am new to this so excuse me.

[4evergreenlawns]

As far as the weight goes, I just ran a dry run both of my trucks to check weights.

My 2500HD scaled at 11,500 with the 8' Western and the 2yd Swenson loaded level plated for 12,000.

My F-450 scaled at 22,500 with the 8.5 MVP and the dump bed about half full. I wont be ging far before I start dropping salt with the dump, but if I do have to go a little distance I know I'll have to back off a bucket or two.


I just got the factory cover for the Swenson in the mail, 155.00 including shipping looks like it has some bolt on J hooks. Waiting for the roll back tarp for my dump, just under 300.00 shipped. I like to keep it covered for a few reasons. If the weather conditions change and I am loaded with salt I want to keep it as dry as possible. As with most later season storms as soon at the snow stops the temps drop and winds start up. That will play hell on a wet load of salt.

I agree with making the equipment last. I am bringin my brand new V box in to be sprayed with a smooth coating of Line X on Monday. Just under $500.00 and they will pull out the inverted V and lower plates and spray them too. I hope to make this thing last 5 - 8 years. Or atl east keep it in the best condition possible for resale later. I will see how my dump bed hold up before I get it sprayed.

[Lawngodfather]

Speaking of Line-X they guy I went to, in the convo spreaders came up, he has done several of them

I was thinking of having mine done there.

I would like to see how one looks first.

[Mick]

Originally posted by Snowboy
Ok i still dont get it thou.. Whats the point ? So it gets wet ? Will it not spread far enough if its wet or will it fudge the spreader ?

I use a Vbox and want to keep any snow, rain or other material out of it for a couple of reasons.

I leave it on the truck the whole season.

I use a sand/salt mix.

To start, if it start out above freezing, then the material is liable to get soaked and freeze solid in the box - very bad news. Not only would your material freeze, but the chain and possibly the spinner.

I don't want the sand covered with snow so I can monitor the need to refill.

I charge by the amount spread. If I can't see the level in the box, I can't judge how much I've put down.

I'm putting down sand to give traction on snow/ice. Putting down more snow with it would look pretty stupid.

I try to keep the box as dry as possible to keep it from rusting. It's stored in the garage during the off-season.

I'm sure others can come up with other reasons.

[RPM]

I use a tarp especially during freezing rain, because we use treated salt and I don't want all the clearlane washed off of the salt. If that happens it doesn't take much to freeze in the hopper.

[Snowboy]

Post some pics on your set ups. If you take a tarp and pull it over and strap it down it might just fly away since it's just straped at the side and you had it tied to the bottom of the V.

[Mick]

I don't have any pictures of my Vbox with a cover right now. But the way it is - I have a top screen that I put the tarp over. Fold it to fit the top and tuck any excess under. Then, put a 2x6 the full width of the box on top of the tarp - one on the front and another at the back. Then use 2" ratcheting straps that go over each board from one side of the bed over the Vbox to the other side of the bed. Tighten. Check tightness periodically while using. For added security, you could put a third board/strap in the middle of the box.

I have a flat bed with angle iron on both side to attach to. But I would think you could hook to the frame of a pick up bed.

[festerw]

Originally posted by Alan

I thought about having a cover made from the material they use for boat tops, but I figured the cost would be wicked high.

It shouldn't be real expensive, to have one made for our 21' boat it was only like $400, it was called top gun or something to that effect, basically a nylon fabric coated with something to repel water, works very well on the boat, but I don't know what salt would do to it.

[BWinkel]

I just had a cover custom made for my Fisher V-box. Only cost $126. He made it out of rubber coated vinyl with grommets for tie downs. The front corners are are boxed so it won't blow off going down the road. I'll post some pics when I can.

[BWinkel]

Some pics installed

[BWinkel]

Another

[cutntrim]

Is that a 2"x4" you're hooked onto with those bungees down there? I was contemplating having a steel "channel" welded to the spreader sides to hook to.

[BWinkel]

cutntrim,
I bolted a 2x4 to the ribs on each side of the spreader. I installed screw eyes spaced evenly to match the grommets on the tarp. Then I attached bungees from the screw eyes to the grommets. I cinched the bungee hooks arond the screw eyes with a pair of channel locks so they won't come off when I unhook the tarp. Should work slick.
Bill

[V65Sabre]

BWinkel that set up is slick. I use kind of the same thing but because of the extensions for loading with 8' bucket they end don't work as nice as yours,but repels 95% or so. My tarp is $6 at WalMart and usually last the season. I throw a couple 2x4's together lengthwise down the center just to give a tent type thing. I usually leave 1/4 load in the bin for spot sanding and emergencys (saves firing up the equipment for a quick job)

[myoder]

I use a 6'x8' tarp from walmart also. Bungee it down to the corners and along the front, and have had no problems with it. I have gone on the highway and hasn't tried to blow away.

[CPSS]

We don't cover ours. We use straight salt or MAGic salt. Don't usually leave the spreader full, but we also keep the truck inside so it doesn't really matter.

[4evergreenlawns]

I know it has taken a while but there is the cover I got with with spreader works nice.

[4evergreenlawns]

And a few picture of the V box coated with Line-x

[4evergreenlawns]

1 over the side coating

[4evergreenlawns]

inside the box

[CPSS]

Ron, thats a good idea with the Line-X. How long have you had it? Keep us advised how it holds up, and how much was it?

[cat320]

Ron that is a great idea never thought of line-xing the inside of the sander.
I have some questions

1. How is it performing to dumping material on it (how long will it last before it wears out or come apart from the steel?

2. How much did it cost to line?

3. Using the line-x verses going stainless was there alot of savings?

If there is alot of savings that might me a great way to go .:D

[Lawngodfather]

an 8' stainless runs about $800 more...

line-x $500

when you get the stainless, you get the whole spreader in stainless, chute, and chain bed. Can't line x the chain bed

[4evergreenlawns]

LGF,

You are correct. However, at the time SS was not available and was a 2-4 week wait. Meaning 4-6 weeks. The mild steel was in stock and Line-x within two days. Had already paid for the Honda upgrade so, yes I would have paid for SS that is why I paid for the Line-X. Next best thing IMO.

Cat,

So far so good. My bed has Line-X for three years and not one sign of wear. So far the V box looks like the day I picked it up. It was coated vrey think with a smooth texture not like the bed. They remove the plates and V coated them by themselves and put it back togahter. I do keep it very clean but if I have to leave it set after a salt application I am not as worried knowing there is Line-X in the V box and the P/U bed.

If you are spending the money on a V than yes get the SS with the Honda engine. I will get my dump insert iin SS without a doubt.

[cat320]

This may not fit here but as every one has a cover for the top I saw a dump that was using a bedlinner inder the sander not to have the salt sit in the steel bed of the truck.