Spreader Ice treatment using a manure spreader & sand

[RonR]

I watched a parking lot crew use about a 50HP JD pulling a fairly new manure spreader that was loaded maybe 4" deep with sand to spread on a lot prior to our most recent ice storm. They had a bobcat to load the sand from a load that had been dumped in one corner. The JD idled along and spread a thin layer of sand over the whole lot.

Seemed like a neat way to solve the ice problem--if you had the tools..............

Ron

 

[kokopelli2]

what good is sand going to do underneath the ice? seems to me that you would spread it out on top for tractions. plus that must have been an awful lot of sand?

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

A heavy layer of sand UNDER ice helps to prevent it from "bonding" to the pavement. It helps (on a very limited basis) when attemting to scrape the ice off. It's not the best way, but it does work. I have a VERY steep hill leading to my farm (On the county road) We sand it when we know there's heavy ice coming. After scraping, we sand it again. Like I said, it's not perfect, but with ice, you do all you can....(County won't allow salt on this road, do to potential run-off into a stae owned fish hatchery nearby)

 

[beenthere]

Most times sand used on roads in the winter has to have some salt mixed in it or it will freeze together in large chunks (been there). This small amount of salt would likely help the sand thaw the ice if underneath it. But a good concern with sand under ice.

Seems a manure spreader is a bit awkward for spreading sand, but not knocking the idea. Whatever works. Just might be worthless if the ice was on the lot first, and had to get the manure spreader over top of that ice. I can imagine what that is like. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif