Icy driveway

[teletech]

Hello all
I recently got our Baltmatic broadcast spreader freed up(guess we never cleaned and lubed it to good ten years ago when it was last used).
Anyway I have a long sloping driveway that becomes very icy at times during the winter, I was thinking of using this spreader to toss sand out. Anyone use one for this purpose? Chris

 

[Jim in Ma.]

It will work just fine.
just try to keep your sand dry or it will plug in the spreader.

 

[showcrop]

(reply to post at 16:55:01 11/20/11)

Having too much "fines" in the sand will make it tend to pack and bridge over also. If you get it from your highway dept. it should be good. a little salt mixed in will also keep it from bridging. Unplugging a bridged sander is not fun. It usually happens when it is cold and dark. don't ask how I know.

 

[teletech]

Thanks for the reply's, i was thinking of mixing in some rock salt. Mostly happy I got the darn thing "unfroze"!

 

[JDseller]

I have a similar spreader. The sand will bridge when it is cold and damp. I found that fine gravel works much better. I get a small load of number 8 stone in July. I spread it out on a old corn crib foundation. I let it dry out in the summer sun. I then stock pile it inside of a shed I have. I then mix salt with the small gravel. I usually shovel the spreader full and I go one salt to eight gravel.