[PremierLand]

I am only using about 1 ton per storm. I was thinking about buying it in bulk and storing it at the yard at about 5 tons until I use it all up, or become low.
Question I have is for such as small load, can I just get one tarp like 20x30 and drop the 5 tons on top that and then fold the tarp over to cover it? and then just shovel it in the spreader when needed or is that a bad idea?

other idea I have is... Since I have an 16ft I-beam hoist..... Get the bulk and load it into big cans, and then make a contraption that hooks up to the hoist that can hold a big arse garbage can, then lift it up into the bed height and tilt it and unload 1/4 ton per time.

That way if the supplier runs out, or if they are not open soon enough I can still load up. Even if I have to shovel it, I'm sure I could load 1 ton in about 10-15min, which is about the same time it'd take me to get to the supplier or load that in bags.

 

[Snowpower]

A lot of people do that. It's not the perfect solution but will fix some of the problems you mentioned.

Im in the same position you are and am getting tired of paying bagged prices, but 1/2 the time I drive past the local supplier on my way to a run and they are closed with halkf a dozen guys sitting there wondering what to do.

Rasch.

 

[DaySpring Services]

I have my bulk outside. It sits on plywood, and I have it covered with a tarp. Just make sure you dont have any holes. To Load I scoop it with my bobcat, raise the bucket to my tailgate salter, hop in the bucket and shovel it into the spreader. Kinda a pain but it's the best I can do. Im thinking about getting a Vbox next year so I can just load with my Bobcat.

 

[WINTER 3]

What I would do if you have the space is to use the pre cast cubes to hold the salt in and put a tarp over that. I use to do what you are thinking, it was a pain to load with a machine and not rip the tarp (even more of a pain if you have to load by hand). Now I use a bunker made w/ cubes and load with my skid steer. Are you useing a v-box or a tail gate sander? Do you have a machine to load with?

 

[powerjoke]

premier: if you have a hoist how about buying it in supersacks? you know the white plastic reusable sacks that hold one ton and you can just raise it over your salter and choke off the fill neck when spreader is full?

 

[PremierLand]

no suppliers sell supersacks around here

 

[JD Dave]

We use to have 3 or 4, 35-40 ton piled on pavement and covered well and we had no problems with the salt. We'd even store it on gravel for the summer and use it again trouble free in the winter. The key is to keep it covered at all times!! You might find it alot cheaper just to buy a larger load, it will keep fine.