My partner and I are getting pretty tired of emptying leaves/grass out of the beds of our trucks by hand, and loading bags of salt into our tailgate salters by hand in the winter. I wonder if there is a dump box insert for a pickup that might also come with a removable salter? So that when salting you elevate the dump box to empty the bed feeding the salt into a spinner back under the tailgate. I'm going to search the net for something like that, but I thought I'd ask you guys first. It'd be great to get one piece of equipment that could be used all year-round.
I know I've seen dump beds for pickups, but I don't know if that would do what you're looking for. Might want to check Northern Tools. -Tim
Yes their are two models out there for that application. The First, Downeaster, http://www.sandspreader.com the second http://www.maxidump.com/ Geoff
Geoff, The sandspreader looked exactly like what we're after. I e-mailed them to ask about Ontario distributors and if it is also effective using only salt. The maxidump site didn't have anything that looked similar. It only showed standard dump inserts, no augers/spinners for salt or sand.
My frind owns that exact set up, he ran pea stone through his, if it will spread pea stone sand/salt should be no problem. The cost of the insert body from Costal Metal Fab, makers of the the Downeaster spreader, is $ 1800 us, I think that is installed. The cost of the spreader I am not sure on, but It may be worth a trip to maine, to cut out the middle man. However your looking at a 10 or 12 hour road trip, i think. Geoff
First the Down East company is 45minutes from our company and they sell EZ Dumper inserts with optional tailgate spreader, the Maxi Dump is the same configuration, the down side to the spreaders are they are not a self feed you have to raise bed to feed the auger. This means when you get towards empty your insert is way up in the air and can catch low powerlines and limbs. If this doesnt cause a problem they are a decent unit running around $1700 EZ Dumper and $2400 spreader and the Maxi Dump insert is more and spreader is close to the same cost. Hope this helped shed some light on this subject as a matter of fact by weeks end we have to go up to DownEast to pick some parts up Ill try to get some more litarture for you.
Geoff: A road trip to Maine would be lovely...but it's too far. I'll probably phone them and ask about CDN distributors. Obryan: The truckcraft model looks cool in the aluminum. Is the T-120 aluminum model with the T-130 spreader the same one you've got. If so how much did you shell out for it? Brian: Thanks for the info. So it'd be $4100.00US for the EZ dumper + tailgate spreader? Pretty pricey. And the Maxidump equivalent is more expensive still? "Aiieee carrrumba!" Convenience is costly.
Dont quote me on costs but i bet im within a couple hundred of dollers of list price. I go to the Fryburg fair up here in Maine its only 1/2 or so from home and Down East always bring down there stuff in exibit area. Nice stuff they got, plus if I have a problem im only 45 minutes from them. Give them a call tommorow and find prices then give me a email see how far I was off ok. I also live in Maine!
I would e-mail ez dumper, I knew it was a ez-dumper body, I didn't know it was a ez-dumper spreader. Sorry about the confusion. I think you will have some $$ by being able touse bulk salt over bagged. Geoff
i have the steel version yes alumnium looks nice and is lighterbut it is 1000 more the spreader i have is the easy dumper model that is actually made by down easter dump bed was around 2000 and the spreader is around the same maybe 2300 another reason i went with the steel insert is thespreader that fits the alumnium is also alum and is very expensive, it also feeds to the side not in the center my easy dump spreader had to be slightly modified to fit the truck craft insert not a problem since everything is steel(weld away,really very minor,but looks trick)with the alumnium your stuck with that alum spreader the insert is now dual purpose unlike a v box and one of the major pushes for an insert (or v box) is bulk salt major dollars saved at overhead level while still keeping the same salting prices ===more than double the profit that i was happy with before salt here is 40 a ton bulk and 130 a ton bagged have not used it yet but i think i will learn to get over raising the bed but v box is on the one day shopping list still the spreader goes on and off just like the tailgate 2 man operation doug [Edited by OBRYANMAINT on 11-15-2000 at 03:55 AM]
Truckcraft makes an alumiunm one and has a talgate spreader for it too.Very pricy for the spreader but your getting use of your whole bed for sand/salt plus easy clean out at the end of the storm.Worth looking into i think.I would like to know what you decide.
