How much salt?

[Jeff_eac]

Does anyone have a rule of thumb as to how much salt should be applied to a given area? I realize this number is going to change with the temperature, but I am just looking for a starting point for an estimate.

[wyldman]

400 lbs per acre is a good ballpark number a lot of guys agree with here.I always seem to use a lot more,close to double that,but we get much colder temps up here.

[GMC Driver]

As a fellow Canadian, I too find I use more than that. We'll apply about 600-800 lbs/acre. I am curious if others have their price figured out by the pound/kilo. I figure about $.50/kilo or I guess about $.25/lb.

[GMC Driver]

I realize that it would be different for everyone, as it all depends upon what you're paying for salt upfront. Again, I don't know how far out of line our costs are, but in talks with other local guys, we seem to be on par with everyone else. Around here (remember Can$), a tonne of bulk salt in $70/delivered (I believe this is 2200lbs). I also buy bagged salt for the smaller spreaders. This year, I bought all my salt in October - 50 skids of 40 KG bags (88-90lbs) at $4.25/bag. Again, it be nice to know if our costs are crazy, or if they are in line. As for applications, they are done after every snowfall - so no 2nd trips. We charge more for applications when no plowing has occured.