Spreading just a tiny amount of road salt?

[Smokeydog]

We have put out tons of salt in 50# blocks for all kinds of livestock under trees for over 50 years without killing anything. Don’t have livestock anymore and the wildlife were digging deep holes and eating the dirt where the salt pans were. Now buy a couple blocks a year just for the wildlife. Like most things moderation is difference between nutrient and toxin.

 

[SpringHollow]

I do not want to use salt for corrosion and mess reasons. Sand piles do often freeze. Finely crushed (1/4") stone does not hold moisture like sand does so frozen clumps can be minimized especially if you cover it to protect from snow. From what I have read, most seem happy with it for use on ice.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I replaced the 540 rpm driveshaft with a hydraulic motor on my 3pt ag spreader. That way, I can vary the amount of material and spread path by adjusting the motor speed. I also removed 2 of the 4 rotary spreader blades to further reduce the material spread rate.

By varying the tractor speed and the spreader rpm, I can sand / salt a 3' sidewalk or a 16' wide road.

 

[SmallChange]

I replaced the 540 rpm driveshaft with a hydraulic motor on my 3pt ag spreader. That way, I can vary the amount of material and spread path by adjusting the motor speed.

Forgive my ignorance, but, how do you vary the hydraulic motor speed? Are you varying your engine speed?

Am I right to think that hydraulic remotes and accessory hydraulic motors do not have any way to adjust speed unless you change the speed of the tractor engine?

 

[bdhsfz6]

Forgive my ignorance, but, how do you vary the hydraulic motor speed? Are you varying your engine speed?

Am I right to think that hydraulic remotes and accessory hydraulic motors do not have any way to adjust speed unless you change the speed of the tractor engine?

Yes, the hyd. motor speed is controlled by varying the engine RPM. With a HST transmission, the tractor ground speed can be controlled independently of engine RPM. This makes it easy to adjust the material flow rate and ground coverage area.

The hyd. motor speed can also be varied by "feathering" the valve control lever for the remote if necessary. This isn't possible for solenoid operated valves, such as a third function valve, which is either on or off.

 

[shooterdon]

I replaced the 540 rpm driveshaft with a hydraulic motor on my 3pt ag spreader. That way, I can vary the amount of material and spread path by adjusting the motor speed. I also removed 2 of the 4 rotary spreader blades to further reduce the material spread rate.

View attachment 731880

By varying the tractor speed and the spreader rpm, I can sand / salt a 3' sidewalk or a 16' wide road.

That would be silly on a 250 ft drive. But the upside is the OP would only fill it once a year.

Anyway...the first suggestion of using a walk behind spreader is cheap and effective. Also low to the ground so easier to fill as you get older. $45 delivered.

Amazon.com

If it only last 3 years, it is still a bargain. If needed, get some small sheet metal screws and drive them into the tires for traction on ice so the thing will spin. KISS

 

[PILOON]

I have often simply filled a bucket with dry sand and sit that bucket on my PTO snow blower and then engaged my CUT in 1st low gear at near idle and simply walked along beside it all while scooping sand from that bucket and flinging it wherever needed.
LOL, an using a Folger's to fling it where needed.
I do add anti slip things on my boots so as to not slip however and hang on dearly to my CUT all the while.
I also use a bungee to hold the steering in a straight line.

OK, sounds crazy but it actually works for me.
On glare ice (and I'm hilly) one bucket carefully flung via Folger's is all I need.

Oh, for best traction results I do prefer crushed slag over sand any time.
Sand is easily washed away while crushed slag sits proud and provides best traction and even better than pea gravel.

Previously I had a walk behind broadcaster that was so-so as it wanted to skid without broadcasting.
Then I did have a PTO broadcaster but that seized up promptly and besides flung much to wide a swath and used way more abrasive than needed.

For rare occasions that demand traction I always keep a 2 qt (taped shut) milk carton in my car trunk, 'just in case'.
Also a 20 ft tow cable to be that good Samaritan! (twice this week)