What Do You Use For Anti Skid and How Do You Spread & Store it?

[bdhsfz6]

I am enjoying this thread. I am still using coal ash here in north central PA. I have been watching the coal prices rise every year and have still been burning coal because i need the ash for my long steep driveway as well. Storage is key. I went and took some off a friend and it was frozen solid. I keep my ash in 55 gal barrels. Most are cut in half for easier handling with a plywood laying on top to keep water out. This works for me but if I had a way to store bulk anti skid material I would probably be able to switch from using coal. I believe it is regulations that are driving the price of coal up.

I used to take my dump trailer over to one of the coal dealers south of Scranton to get a better price. I parked it in the barn and used it as a coal bin over the winter. I only bought 5 tons at a time though, and most of the coal breakers now have a 10 ton minimum. The cost of gas and my time, ate into the $$ savings though.

I stored the ash in 30 gal cans, which were fairly easy to load into the spreader. I thought about using 55 gallon drums but the weight would have been too difficult to manage. How do you spread the ash, and if you use a spreader, how do you load it?

 

[RjCorazza]

Many years ago I recall short metal barrels beside the roads filled with ash here in Maryland. Haven't seen one in a very long time, but a few years ago I tried to source it here.... Non existent.

Funny how a tractor forum thread can put one on a trip down memory lane. Parents were from the Hazleton area, and as kids we always went fossil hunting on the strip mines of the area while visiting relatives. Good times!

 

[bdhsfz6]

Many years ago I recall short metal barrels beside the roads filled with ash here in Maryland. Haven't seen one in a very long time, but a few years ago I tried to source it here.... Non existent.

Funny how a tractor forum thread can put one on a trip down memory lane. Parents were from the Hazleton area, and as kids we always went fossil hunting on the strip mines of the area while visiting relatives. Good times!

I also remember those short barrels. My grandfather burned coal when I was a kid and he had several around the property. They had lids to keep the ash dry. It was my father's job to shovel ash from the furnace and keep them full.

We burned 18 tons a winter back then and the leftover ash was put in larger galvanized barrels. The town had a truck that came around and collected it. It took two men to dump them into the back of the truck. I think the town then used it to spread on roads.

Memory lane indeed!

 

[dj1701]

I have been burning coal since 2009. I get it delivered in bulk from the guy at the bottom of the hill. I usually get around 5 ton. He just backs into the barn and dumps it for me. Since I live so close, he just brings it up with his big Farmall.

I use the coal ash for the walkways and driveway area where we park. I keep a galvanized trash can with a scoop on the front porch. That stuff is great for traction, the only downside is I have to hose it off the stairs in the spring.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I have been burning coal since 2009. I get it delivered in bulk from the guy at the bottom of the hill. I usually get around 5 ton. He just backs into the barn and dumps it for me. Since I live so close, he just brings it up with his big Farmall.

I use the coal ash for the walkways and driveway area where we park. I keep a galvanized trash can with a scoop on the front porch. That stuff is great for traction, the only downside is I have to hose it off the stairs in the spring.

I buy from a dealer less than a mile away. He delivers free since I'm so close. He offloads it into my 12K dump trailer / coal bin.

Some years, especially those like this one, I would burn more than the 5 ton I got delivered. When I ran out, I would take the tractor over to the dealer and buy a FEL bucket full. Sometimes had to do it twice.

Ahhh, the things I'm going to miss by switching back to oil heat.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I don't spread anything. If the yard get too slippery I hook onto my diamond tooth harrows and run them over the ice. The ice shavings refreeze onto the ice and the driveway is no longer slippery. I repeat as necessary. I do have the advantage of a flat driveway.

 

[dj1701]

I buy from a dealer less than a mile away. He delivers free since I'm so close. He offloads it into my 12K dump trailer / coal bin.

Some years, especially those like this one, I would burn more than the 5 ton I got delivered. When I ran out, I would take the tractor over to the dealer and buy a FEL bucket full. Sometimes had to do it twice.

Ahhh, the things I'm going to miss by switching back to oil heat.

I have found the bulk is a better option because it gets a chance to dry out and will flow more consistently and give a better fire. Many times, that bagged stuff is too wet and won't fully drop in front of the pusher block. I'm running a Harmon DVC-500 and know it like the back of me hand. LOL

Dave

 

[bdhsfz6]

I have found the bulk is a better option because it gets a chance to dry out and will flow more consistently and give a better fire. Many times, that bagged stuff is too wet and won't fully drop in front of the pusher block. I'm running a Harmon DVC-500 and know it like the back of me hand. LOL

Dave

I don't buy bagged coal, I take the dry stuff off the top of the pile with the FEL bucket at the dealer. It's still a bit damp but not wet like a bulk delivery. I dump it in the trailer and it can dry a few days before I burn it.

I have a Harman Magnum Stoker which handles wet coal very well. Never was a problem.

 

[LouNY]

I use my coal ashs also for driveway grit, I don't generate enough to do all the driveway most years so I have a salted sand pile. This is also my last year of burning coal

I looked at the fel mounted hydraulic spreaders that also tilted for loading, and yes, I agree that is a back saving feature!
My climate doesn't really require sanding, as the primary objective is to salt on occasion so packed snow and ice will melt off. The current 3 point spreader handles salt fine. Will sand be a problem ?

Most 3 point spreaders will have issues with sand. If you use dry sand such as the play sand from box stores and don't fill the hopper it will work.
If you are using salted sand which has picked up moisture it will cake and bridge in the hopper.
I have an actual sander that I use and a large sand pile. I hadn't had to sand much the last few years and I neglected to prep my sand pile and sander this fall so the rain has leached the salt out of the outer layer of sand and it has froze a foot or further into the pile. So this winter I've been scrapping at the face of it with the loader bucket and salting the face, actually used an 80# bag of calcium flake to try and pull some of the frost out and put a new tarp on it just the other day.

Most years; piled up and tarped ready to be used. Screwed up this year and didn't get it ready

Sander mounted on a trailer to use behind the tractor

 

[bdhsfz6]

I use my coal ashs also for driveway grit, I don't generate enough to do all the driveway most years so I have a salted sand pile. This is also my last year of burning coal


Most 3 point spreaders will have issues with sand. If you use dry sand such as the play sand from box stores and don't fill the hopper it will work.
If you are using salted sand which has picked up moisture it will cake and bridge in the hopper.
I have an actual sander that I use and a large sand pile. I hadn't had to sand much the last few years and I neglected to prep my sand pile and sander this fall so the rain has leached the salt out of the outer layer of sand and it has froze a foot or further into the pile. So this winter I've been scrapping at the face of it with the loader bucket and salting the face, actually used an 80# bag of calcium flake to try and pull some of the frost out and put a new tarp on it just the other day.

Most years; piled up and tarped ready to be used. Screwed up this year and didn't get it ready
View attachment 2796550View attachment 2796551

Sander mounted on a trailer to use behind the tractor
View attachment 2796552

Yeah, even though this is the heart of Anthracite country, many around here are giving up burning coal. The price has crept up to the point where there isn't enough savings to justify the effort required.

Clogging is definitely a problem with those cone ag spreaders. I had to cut larger openings in the hopper and put in more aggressive agitator paddles to break up ash clumps.

I talked to the dealer yesterday about this FEL spreader from Blue Diamond:

HD Material Spreader Attachment | Blue Diamond

A multi-use tool from Blue Diamond Attachments, this HD Material Spreader can be utilized on Skid Steer Loaders to spread material in an even pattern up to 30'.

www.skidsteersolutions.com

The manufacturer says it will spread anything that will pass through the screen. I'd like something that would also work on a 3pt hitch though. That way, I wouldn't have to remove the plow to put the spreader on.

 

[terraformer]

I have a pair of boots with hex head sheet metal screws driven into sole from the outside. Sure traction. On my dirt bike I use ice racing screws in the knobs.

I save my wood ash and will get a tractor bucket of sand from a bar in the creek.

Have most of my ash from this winter. Spread ash and chicken litter on the pasture in the shape of a #47 to celebrate the rebirth of the country.

We have had winters here with 2-3" of ice for a month. Snow then thaw then snow or ice then thaw keeps building up. If it is too bad I stay home and walk around in my ice boots. No one else who lives on a secondary road is moving either. Better stock up on essentials.

This winter has been average. No ice more than a day or 3.

 

[DougPA]

I used to take my dump trailer over to one of the coal dealers south of Scranton to get a better price. I parked it in the barn and used it as a coal bin over the winter. I only bought 5 tons at a time though, and most of the coal breakers now have a 10 ton minimum. The cost of gas and my time, ate into the $$ savings though.

I stored the ash in 30 gal cans, which were fairly easy to load into the spreader. I thought about using 55 gallon drums but the weight would have been too difficult to manage. How do you spread the ash, and if you use a spreader, how do you load it?

I buy my coal from a seller close to home. I only have a small 4x8 trailer which holds about a ton. I use wood for the fall/spring and its looking like i am going to use 2 tons this winter.
The ash I store in 55 gal plastic barrels that are cut in halve. My spreader is mounted by the hitch on my RTV and is controlled on/off wirelessly with a keychain controller. I load the spreader with a shovel until the half barrel is light enough to lift and dump. Loading is easy enough as it only takes about 2 minutes.
My problem with the spreader is it is cone shaped but there is not enough agitation so it will wormhole quick. I've tried a few things to help but it is still frustrating. What i have found to help is I was able to fabricate a post with chains. I used a 1 inch EMT conduit cut to the depth of the spreader. I slit the conduit to slide over the auger and used a hose clamp to make it tight. The conduit i drilled holes and bolted 1/4 inch chain to it so it is shaped like this (I). It still wormholes but not as fast. The best way I have found for now is I have my son drive and I ride in the back of the RTV with a stick and keep it flowing. This is where the wireless controller shines because I can turn it on and off while I am riding in the bed.

 

[bdhsfz6]

If I go back to burning coal, I'll likely pic up one of these pivoting drum slings:

Drum Tilt Ring H-5733 - Uline

Tip and pour 55-gallon steel drums with your forklift. Pivoting fork pockets allow tipping and emptying. Adjustable locking latch. Welded steel construction. ULINE offers over 42,000 boxes, plastic poly bags, mailing tubes, warehouse supplies and bubble wrap for your storage, packaging, or...

www.uline.com

That way, I can dump the cans into the spreader with the forks.

 

[DougPA]

I tracked the coal prices over the years and it hurts just looking them up
2016 $180 a ton
2017 $166
2018 $166
2019 $180
2020 $175
2021 $200
2022 $342
2023 I did not buy any 2022 i did not use what i bought in 2022 it was a warm winter here
2024 $340

sorry if i drifted your thread.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I tracked the coal prices over the years and it hurts just looking them up
2016 $180 a ton
2017 $166
2018 $166
2019 $180
2020 $175
2021 $200
2022 $342
2023 I did not buy any 2022 i did not use what i bought in 2022 it was a warm winter here
2024 $340

sorry if i drifted your thread.

Sounds about right. I'll check my records to compare.

I just got my second fuel oil delivery at $3.39/gal. Paid $3.09 back in November. Even with the price increase, using oil instead of coal will only cost around $250 extra. Still worth it to me at my age.

There were years back in the 1980's & 90's when the savings were well over $1000. I could be wrong but with the way coal has been going up relative to oil, I doubt I'll ever see that kind of savings again.

 

[John_Mc]

I don't spread anything. If the yard get too slippery I hook onto my diamond tooth harrows and run them over the ice. The ice shavings refreeze onto the ice and the driveway is no longer slippery. I repeat as necessary. I do have the advantage of a flat driveway.

I rarely spread anything myself. We have a driveway with an east facing hill. It can get bad when it ices up in the winter. AWD/4WD and a good set of real snow tires does it for us (not "all season" tires - they don't even come close.) The smaller, lighter vehicles get studded snows. If things get really slick, I drop the ripper shanks on the box blade and break the ice up a bit.

Our town does leave a small pile of the sand they use for traction on our gravel roads in the winter for residents to grab. I keep a couple of 5 gallon buckets of that around, just in case. I don't have to use it unless someone is coming to visit who does not have a car properly equipped for Vermont winters.

 

[DougPA]

Sounds about right. I'll check my records to compare.

I just got my second fuel oil delivery at $3.39/gal. Paid $3.09 back in November. Even with the price increase, using oil instead of coal will only cost around $250 extra. Still worth it to me at my age.

There were years back in the 1980's & 90's when the savings were well over $1000. I could be wrong but with the way coal has been going up relative to oil, I doubt I'll ever see that kind of savings again.

I will probably be there too. I’m 48 raising two great kids. But just this weekend making a dozen trips down the basement stairs with two drywall buckets full of coal I always wonder how long I will be able to keep this up.

 

[LouNY]

I tracked the coal prices over the years and it hurts just looking them up
2016 $180 a ton
2017 $166
2018 $166
2019 $180
2020 $175
2021 $200
2022 $342
2023 I did not buy any 2022 i did not use what i bought in 2022 it was a warm winter here
2024 $340

sorry if i drifted your thread.

Just add about $100 to $150 per ton for what I've paid.

 

[DougPA]

Just add about $100 to $150 per ton for what I've paid.

Wow! Really? Do you buy bag or bulk? I buy mine bulk. Just wondering bdhsf and I are very close to a coal region.

 

[LouNY]

I get bagged by the pallet either 2000# or 2200# per pallet.
This is my last year even though I enjoy the coal heat. Getting the second knee replaced this spring so no more kneeling down to shake or knife the grates for me.

Not much difference in price per ton up here unless getting a 20 ton load at a time, bagged or bulk pretty close to the same price