Best machines to tackle icy paths and roads

Many of you will be thinking about buying a salt spreader in time for the winter snow and ice and here we review six of the best from a simple walk behind machine ideal for use at home or for small businesses to much larger commercial machines.
There are two basic types of spreader – that which allows salt or ice melt to drop through small holes as you walk along to those which have impellors with self-contained gearing to regulate the flow.
And of course the great thing about a salt spreader is that they can just as easily be used as fertilizer spreaders in the spring when the lawns need dressing.

Our own walk behind spreader, the MD 80P walk behind spreader has a 36 kg hopper so that you can cover a really large area before you need to refill.
The flow rate is simply adjusted with a lever, even when the machine is in use, and it has a spreading width of three metres.
The machine costs £79.95, has a one year manufacturer’s warranty and is delivered free the next working day.
The wheels have large pneumatic tyres to give maximum grip when walking through compacted ice and slush.
It also has a hopper screen to prevent the ice melt clogging up.
Another simple walk behind machine is the Agri-Fab 45-0462 Push-Type Smartspreaderwhich has a 130 lb hopper enough for treating an area of half an acre.
It has a strong, well-engineered gear box to ensure a long life and is suitable for larger businesses, visitor attractions, schools, hospitals and distribution centres.
Well-designed controls minimise waste as it is simple to select the right flow rate for the area being treated.
Large pneumatic tyres give good grip and manoeuvrability. And at £189 it is £70 off the manufacturer’s recommended price.
The third in our top six salt spreaders is our own MD Pro-125P Professional Salt Spreader, which at just £219 is a really worthwhile investment for businesses and public bodies which need to keep going throughout the winter.
This is a machine for the preofessional with stainless steel gearing and designed for hard prolonged work.
Flow rate can be precisely controlled and side flaps ensure against wasting the product being spread by preventing it from going on to flower beds. And it has a spreading width of up to 3.6 m.
The 60 litre hopper has a transparent weather proof cover so you can keep an eye on the amount left while keeping out the elements. Large pneumatic wheels make it easy to operate.
This is the lowest priced professional salt spreader in its class.
Another strong machine designed for professional use is the Agri-Fab 45-0471 Professional Salt and Fertiliser Spreader on special offer at £229.95, £120 off the manufacturer’s recommended price.
Very strongly made from materials resistant to corrosion, it has a very large hopper and wide spread area and has deflectors to keep the material where you want it and eliminate waste.
The handles are fitted with soft foam grips for easier working during long periods.
But if you have a really large area to cover you need a salt spreader that can be towed and Agri-Fab have two great little machines you should consider.
The first is the Agri-Fab 45-0463 Tow-Behind Smartspreader which can be towed behind lawn tractors and ride-ons and is ideal if you have large areas of roads and paths to clear.
At £189 it is £70 less than the manufacturer’s recommended price. It has a huge 130 lb hopper, ideal when clearing large areas of snow and ice and large wheels with deep tread tyres.
And a machine for towing behind quad bikes and all terrain vehicles is the Agri-Fab 175 LB ATV Tow-Behind Spreader which at £249 is £80 less than thn manufacturer’s price.
Designed to work over really large areas it is perfect for estates and large industrial areas.
Large hopper and wide broadcast spread mean you can carry on working for long periods of time without needing to stop. It is suitable for any make of all terrain vehicle.
One final tip. Make sure you give a thorough clean to the hopper each time you use the machine. Salts and ice melts will easliy clog if left in the hopper and may damage the spreader gearing.
A few minutes spent doing this wil prolong the life of any salt spreader.