Post Season Preservation- from SnowEx ( Ice Times)

These are a few basics on preparing your winter-maintenance spreader for the next season.

When winter ends, it's easy to forget about that spreader of yours, instead shifting attention to the aerators, mowers and the other moneymakers of the next season. But don't leave your spreader out in the cold. Before getting too caught up in the spring tasks at hand, give that winter-weather hero a little TLC by following these post-season maintenance tips so it's ready to rock (rock salt, that is) once the snow flies again;

First things first, its important to understand that today there's no cookie-cutter approach to maintaining a spreader. This is due to the fact that there are multiple varieties of spreaders on the market. From the different materials being used to construct them ( steel, stainless steel and polyethylene), to the different ways they're powered (gas engine, hydraulic, and electric), to the different material delivery systems they utilize (gravity-fed, auger-fed,or conveyor fed- with and without chains, pulleys, etc.) all spreaders have their own unique variations that require a different maintenance approach. One article that couldn't cover them all, but fortunately this isn't necessary as long as one reads the owner's manual. The manual includes more than just basic bullet points, but specific details such as proper belt and chain tension settings and common grease points. And if the spreader is engine powered, there should be a separate manual from the engine manufacturer including maintenance details.

- Keep It Clean

- Grease is the word

- Avoid Tension Headaches

- Engines and Hydraulic Tips

- Put it to bed.

More on these End of Season Tips, check out our Blog Each Week for more updates.