Pre-season spreader preparations

Imagine a teacher walking into the classroom on the first day of school having not touched a textbook or lesson plan since the spring. Or a professional athlete on opening day who hasn’t picked up a ball or hit the gym since the final play of the previous season. Chances are that these individuals are not ready to perform as expected.

Whether they realize it or not, some fleets may have salt and sand spreaders in a similar unprepared situation as they get ready for another season of snow and ice control. Nothing good can come from sending a spreader into battle at less than 100 percent. That’s why it’s a beneficial practice to run your spreaders through a preseason maintenance checklist to ensure they’re in good working order before the snow flies and another winter season begins.

Different needs for different spreaders

With spreaders as unique as the fleets that employ them, the best maintenance solution is to follow the suggested procedures outlined in the owner’s manual. A good manual will include specific details such as proper belt and chain tension settings. It will also identify common grease points. Engine-powered spreaders should also have an individual manual from the engine manufacturer providing maintenance details for the engine itself.

No single article can adequately address everything there is to know about spreader maintenance, simply because there are so many equipment variations and options available. For example, a spreader built with polyethylene will require a different maintenance approach than one constructed of steel or stainless steel. However, while every spreader will have its own set of maintenance activities, there are some universal practices that every fleet should do, and some things they shouldn’t, to prepare for an upcoming season.

Do: Clean the spreader thoroughly.

Before winter hits in full force, all fleets should give their spreaders a thorough cleaning. This is particularly important for spreaders with metal hoppers because residual salt will corrode the surface and eventually lead to rust. And since so many deicing materials are corrosive in nature, metal hoppers should actually be cleaned out after every use. Even if the spreader was cleaned before storage, it’s still a good idea to clean it again as a new season approaches to ensure that any caked on salt is completely removed from the surface.

Cleaning also presents an opportunity to check the spreader for areas where paint or finish may have been scratched or chipped off, exposing metal below. These areas should be touched up to reduce the possibility of corrosion and rust. Components can also be looked over during this time to see if any are in need of replacement or repair.

Don’t: Use corrosive materials to clean the spreader.

Some like to use chemicals during the cleaning process, but they should be careful about what types of chemicals are used. For example, alkaline-based cleaners like those containing acetone, benzene, leaded gasoline or brake cleaner should not be used when cleaning hoppers made of polyethylene. These chemicals can damage poly and hurt its structural integrity.

For the most part, chemicals usually aren’t necessary when cleaning a spreader. Water is generally all that’s needed to clean the hopper and other components. Just prop the spreader up on its side and hose it out. The water will carry any dust, dirt or deicing material with it as it flows from the hopper.

Do: Keep engine and hydraulic components clean.

Spreaders powered by engines or hydraulics will need to undergo some additional preseason maintenance.

An engine, like the spreader itself, should be cleaned before returning to work. This can be done simply by spraying with water to remove any residual salt to guard against the corrosion of metal engine components. For hydraulic units, inspect all hoses and fittings for signs of damage or leaks and take care of any issues.

Don’t: Ignore the engine or hydraulic system service intervals.

Besides performing a simple cleaning, fleets should follow the separate service intervals for the spreader’s engine (if equipped). This includes regular changing of the oil and air filter, spark plug inspections and other maintenance checks suggested by the engine manufacturer in the manual.
For hydraulically powered spreaders, be sure to change the hydraulic fluid unless, of course, it was already changed prior to being stored for the off-season. Use a new hydraulic fluid of the type and viscosity recommended by the pump manufacturer.

Do: Grease moving parts.

After cleaning and perhaps a few touchups or fixes, the next step for all spreaders is to grease all necessary parts. Components will vary from one spreader to the next, but every unit will have moving parts and connectors that require lubrication.

Moving parts like bearings, chains, conveyors, rollers and augers should all be lubricated with a high-quality, multi-purpose grease or oil. The same applies for integrated grease fittings. How much time, effort and grease are needed will differ depending on the type of spreader. Conveyor-fed units and some other models have more moving parts and therefore require more lubrication. Conversely, some auger-fed spreaders operate without pulleys, chains and conveyors and only need grease in a few areas to facilitate auger articulation. The owner’s manual will show where and how much lubrication is necessary.

Don’t: Forget to coat electrical connections with dielectric grease.

When greasing components, sometimes the electrical connections are forgotten. But for spreaders that feature electric motors or other electrical components, such as lights, a coat of dielectric grease should be applied to all terminals to prevent corrosion and ensure easy reconnection. In actuality, dielectric grease should be applied anytime these terminals are disconnected.

Do: Check the tension of belts, chains and conveyors.

Finally, fleets using spreaders with belts, chains or conveyors should be sure to adjust the tension before the season starts. This should also be done throughout the winter to reduce the chances of slippage or other performance issues. Tension adjustment varies depending on the spreader, so consult the owner’s manual for the recommended procedure.

Don’t: Overtighten the belts, chains or conveyors.

While tensions may vary by the spreader, one thing is universal: the belts and chains should never be overtightened, as this could damage the motor or gearbox bearing. Additionally, before attempting to adjust conveyor belt tension, check to make sure there is not sand or deicing material trapped underneath the belt.

Fleet maintenance crews typically focus on servicing their larger equipment, but spreaders should never go ignored. Work will go much more smoothly if some time and attention is dedicated to a little preseason preparation. When the brunt of winter hits, the snow won’t be slowing down. Make sure your spreaders don’t either.