Pre-Season Spreader Prep Checklist
Summer! A time for parties, pools, barbeques… and preparing your salt spreader for winter use. Having functional equipment when the snow starts to finally fall calls for attentive preparation well before the start of the autumn season.
From Smith Metal Works’ shop foreman, Chuck Raes: a Pre-Season Salt Spreader checklist to help keep you on track and prepared for the winter weather to come.
1. Check All Electrical
Connections
- Inspect wiring for damage – both truck side and spreader
side; replace or repair as necessary. - Look for corrosion on components. Clean with corrosion
inhibiting spray or di-electric grease to ensure good
connection.
2. Inspect Spreader for Damage
- Look for bent shafts, blown bearings, rusty chains, or a
seized motor.
3. Before You Test Run The
Spreader
- Have a can of chain lube or used motor oil handy. Spray the
chains before you run the spreader. Safety first! - Grease the spreader bearings, using a low viscosity moly
grease.
4. Running The Spreader
- Watch your amperage. High amp draw indicates problems.
- Don’t be stingy with applying chain lube. Rusty, crusty chains
will cause your spreader to “over-work.” - Listen to your spreader. Unusual groans, moans, squeals and
squeaks tell you something needs attention. - Look and listen for vibrations. If your spreader is shaking
excessively, the spinner shaft is probably bent or the
bearings need attention.
Remember: An ounce of prevention…
is worth a pound of Cure!
Thank you for owning a Smith product, we wish you luck and a happy salting season. Questions, requests or concerns? Please contact us here, or use this form to submit a specific spreader part request.
