Western 1000 - To buy or not to buy

[Wizard]

Hello everyone. Seeking advice on buying a salt spreader. I'll be applying straight salt (dry bagged) to my accounts this year. In the past I have used a 2 ton truck with a big V-box that was owned by the company I used to work for, so I'm somewhat familiar with sanding, but am new to applying straight salt. I had a falling out with the company that had the sander, so I'm on my own for my accounts. Anyway, here's the requirements. I'm applying straight salt, so I don't need to spend the extra money for a 2-stage unit. I need something low profile, so I can see over it plowing. I also need a hitch mount, due to the set-up of my truck. Lastly, it needs to be light enough I can put it on and off the truck myself. I'm seriously considering the Western 1000 with variable speed controller. It seems like it would fit the bill perfectly, unless there's something I'm missing. My western dealer is open 24/7 during snow storms, so this is important to me too. Is the Western a good choice? What kind of problems can be expected? Should I carry an extra motor? Any problems with bearings, etc? Last question, and I'm gonna sound really naive... Does salt flow out of the bottom of the spreader as soon as you dump salt in it? Or is there a door of some kind that opens when the spinner starts turning. I know V-boxes don't flow unless the auger is draggin the material back to the spinner, but what happens on the tailgate units, how is the salt kept in the hopper until you decide to spread? :help

[Pickering Snow]

Iam not sure what the total amount the 1000 holds that would be my only issue if you have alot of accounts your gonna be getting out in the cold alot.


Has far has your question about flow the way a tailgate unit works is the salt cannot pass the auger until it spins similar to a V-box you may loose a little depnding on how rocky your bagged salt is. One big tip if this is your first tailgate unit DONT leave salt in it after your done it will harden and you will never get it unjambed with out messing around with a poker stick.

[Wizard]

The spec sheet says 400 pounds, which would mean I need to fill it 3 times for my biggest lot. This doesn't bother me because I have a helper with me anyway to do shoveling, so I don't have to load it all my self. This too is a trade-off to having a manageable unit which I understand. I would love a V-box, but I don't have room for it, nor do I have a way to put it in and out of the truck.

The V-box I used had an auger which dropped the material onto the spinner, which then spread it. When the chain broke on the spinner, it was still dropping material but in streaks. My main concern was dumping salt in, then having to race back to the cab and get it all spread before it drained out the bottom. My western dealer doesn't have any set up to look at, so I wasn't sure how they worked.

I intend to put in just enough salt to do a lot, and empty the spreader, so I won't be leaving any salt in it. I read about that problem before posting, so I'll consider myself "warned" about leaving salt in it.

[cardoctor]

i have a western 1000 . it a hitch mount which is a pita when im trying to drag out my blower . just ordered a swing away for the spreader
the best part of the spreader is the motor is mounted in the hopper
instead of hanging on the bottom. i use to have a buyer spreader
on the last stop on my route i backed into a low retaining wall
the motor was hanging by the wires

JOHN

[cardoctor]

heres a picture of my west 1000
JOHN

[apgarconstruction]

I'm sure you'd be fine with the western 1000. I have pro flo1 and it does take up some room on the back of my truck, especially with the utility body receiver hitch being up pretty high. mine has a custom made hitch attachment. i'd like to make one that is lower down, the guy I bought it from made it using the original bed attachment brackets. he didnt' want it permanently fastened to the bed of his pickup.
I can still see around mine good enough to plow. or I just use my mirrors.
the good thinga bout the proflo1 is it holds about 800lbs. it says it holds 900, but that's really pushing it to get it all in there.
good luck with whatever you buy. i got mine used, but it was in brand new condition for 850 on ebay.

[parrothead]

its a lot easier if you have four hands and arms to put the thing on. i've done it by myself on a concrete floor with a floor jack but it is still a pita. good luck, rob

[Wizard]

I was actually thinking about building a rolling stand for it. We'll have to see how much free time I have before winter (as it looks now, there wont be any). If I make a rolling stand, it will have the spreader sitting at about the right height to put the spreader on with 1k of salt in the back. Taking it off with no salt in the back of the truck, it will slide out and drop a couple inches into the stand, then roll it back in the corner until the next snowfall. Problem with my helper is that he's not available until about 2:00am, so I'm stuck loading the truck and putting the spreader on myself. If and when I build a stand, I'll post it in the projects area. Thanks again for the replies, and I appreciate the pictures.