[nick858]

After searching the site, it looks like people havent been happy with the Western Tornado. Have there been ant changes to the unit? Does anybody that has one like it? What are the problems you have seen with them?

 

[ptllandscapeIL]

yeah the first gen was bad some sheer pin problem but from what ive been told there very good now

 

[The mayor]

I have one and think it is great...no problems. That being said it will break down the next time I use it. It is so big that I have no room for a single stage blower.

 

[nick858]

Thanks for the replies...Do you guys spread salt, sand, mix?

 

[Oasis]

I had heard only good things about the Western Tornado since they had made the adjustments from the first generation models. They fixed the shear pin problems and reinvented their conveyor belt system. The only reason I didnt end up buying it was I needed a larger capacity spreader. The Tornado I was told holds only about 1.5-2 tons of salt so I went with the dual electric Airflow where I can hold 2-3 tons.

 

[MIDTOWNPC]

Love It

We had the upgrade kit installed before this season however last year we never had a problem except for one freeze up. That was cause we got a load of wet sand and we had a good long drive before we started spreading. This year we rigged it up a little different. Put it back a bit and raised it up on 4x4's so we can wash underneath it really easy. Also this allows up to stack a few 5 gallon pails of straight salt for sidewalks when we head out. The tornado is attached to the 4x4's and then strapped down. Going to put another strap on but this is my work so far today and it might get tested out later tonight as it looks like we are going to get some. I loaded it up and spit the sand back on the pile and it holds the weight good. I forgot to grab a pic when it was loaded. Will try and remember tomorrow. Enjoy.

 

[MIDTOWNPC]

more

more pictures.

 

[MIDTOWNPC]

my crib for salt pails. raised up so you can grab them over the rail.

 

[JD Dave]

Why don't you keep it flush with the front of the box? On edit I see that it's a salt crib.

 

[MIDTOWNPC]

One of my contracts that requires salt/sand mix is about 20 mins / half hour drive and we have to salt the walks also. Everything else is mainly just salt and salt walks. So this way 1 guy can do everything in one trip. Also we don't plow with this truck, but probably will add a plow next year, just for backup. If not a plow atleast a western harness so we can switch the plow from one truck to another if something went down.

 

[PLM-1]

Man, I don't trust those tailgate cables!

 

[Clapper&Company]

I agree, thats alot on the tailgate

 

[JD Dave]

Man, I don't trust those tailgate cables!

You can upgrade to the old school metal flat bar ones. That's what I"m going to do. Even then I wouldn't set my salter on them but that's just my opinion. Hope it works good for you Midtown.

 

[Lynden-Jeff]

Could always build a hitch support to help with the weight aswell.

Cheers
Jeff

 

[MIDTOWNPC]

Ya the hitch idea was suggested and I like it just need to play with the welder again. Its sitting on 4x4s that run all the way to the front of the bed so it does spread out the weight. This isnt the ideal truck for it, I would rather use the longer bed but its in getting a tranny done. So your suggesting take the tail gate off and run a cross bracket under the salter and then T it down to the reese hitch? I could mount lights to that puppy from the underside and wire them into the trailer connection... hmmm 3 2 1 happy new year, gotta go honey welding to do. lol

 

[FIREMAN Q]

If you check back on some of my posts you will see some of the troubles I have had. I got the upgrade kit done this year and in between 2 ice storms the motor died. the brushes froze. I got it fixed on a warranty but the down time cost me lots of $$. the new motor is a stainless steel motor that looks to be more suited for its purpose.

With all the problems I have had with the unit I will say that when it is up and running it is great. Good luck with it

 

[Lynden-Jeff]

That's what I would do, it doesn't have to be fancy just strong. I know a class 4 hitch can take 1500 pounds of tongue weight no problem so you shouldn't have an issue. Also check out my sig, its a bit of a treck for you but you might still be interested.

Cheers
Jeff

 

[nick858]

So midtown, are you running sand/salt mix? 50/50?

 

[MIDTOWNPC]

Either straight salt which I buy in bulk or a mix of about 10%salt / 90%sand
both which we store in piles tarped and covered with skid and old tires.

For some reason in our town the older factories want sand, I think years and years ago someone must have just racked up the bills with salt or people just want to see the sand I dont know but I really dont like sand however its still a great money maker... payup

If there is any wet sand I add it on to the last bucket that is loaded into the sander and it spreads fine. The first bucket is always a nice dry one. It has a grate on top so any clumps get held up and you can just break them apart, but I dont get many at all.

 

[nick858]

Interesting you say that, nobody here wants salt either. They dont want to pay for anything, but they will choke down sanding a parking lot. Its messy and tracks in, and doesnt do as well as salt, but they dont care. I would be using mostly sand too, thats why I wondered if anyone had run straight sand through. Just wanted to make sure the Tornado was capable of running sand. The few people around here have gas Vboxes, Im liking the poly/electric ones though myself.