Spreader Chains: The Unsung Heroes of Road Treatment and Snow Removal

Spreader Chains: The Unsung Heroes of Road Treatment and Snow Removal — When winter arrives, bringing with it the beauty and challenges of snowfall, cities around the globe gear up to ensure safety and accessibility on their roads. A key player in these efforts is often overlooked – the spreader chains. In this blog post, brought to you by our team at United Rotary Brush, we take a closer look at the importance of spreader chains and their critical role in road treatment and snow removal.

 

What are Spreader Chains?

Spreader chains are integral components of salt and sand spreaders. These essential items work tirelessly behind the scenes, making our winter roads safer. Spreader chains are responsible for moving deicing materials (like salt or sand) from the storage area of the spreader to the spreading mechanism. Essentially, they ensure a steady and controlled flow of material onto the road surface. Essentially, spreader chains play a critical role in making sure that salt, sand, and ice melt get applied properly.

 

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The Role of Spreader Chains in Road Treatment

When temperatures drop below freezing, ice can form on roads, creating hazardous conditions for drivers. That’s where road treatment comes into play, and spreader chains assume a pivotal role.

The spreader chains help distribute salt, sand, or other deicers evenly across the road surface. The salt lowers the freezing point of water, preventing ice formation, while sand increases traction, helping vehicles grip the road better.

Without the reliable operation of spreader chains, the distribution of these materials would be inconsistent, which could lead to untreated patches of road and increase the risk of accidents.

 

Spreader Chains and Snow Removal

Spreader chains also play a critical role in snow removal. After plows clear the bulk of the snow, there’s often a thin layer left behind that can quickly turn into slippery ice. By enabling the even spread of deicing materials, spreader chains help break up this layer, making it easier for plows to completely clear the road.

 

The Impact on Safety and Mobility

The importance of spreader chains becomes evident when considering their impact on safety and mobility during winter months. By facilitating effective road treatment and snow removal, these chains help reduce the number of weather-related accidents and keep traffic moving.

This not only ensures that drivers can safely navigate the roads but also that essential services – like emergency response and public transportation – can continue to operate effectively.

 

The Importance of Maintenance and Spreader Chain Replacement

Just like any other piece of equipment, spreader chains require regular maintenance to function optimally. Over time, these chains can wear out or break due to the heavy loads and harsh conditions they encounter. Regular inspections can help identify any signs of wear or damage early on, allowing for timely repairs or a spreader chain replacement.

Neglecting to replace worn-out spreader chains can compromise the effectiveness of your road treatment efforts. It can lead to uneven distribution of deicing materials, leaving some areas untreated and increasing the risk of accidents.

 

Digging Deeper: The Science Behind Spreader Chains

To truly appreciate the importance of spreader chains, it’s worth understanding the science behind their operation. As part of a spreader system, these chains are responsible for moving the deicing material from the storage hopper to the spreading disc or auger.

The chains’ design and the speed at which they operate control the amount of material distributed on the road. By adjusting these factors, operators can ensure the right quantity of salt or sand is spread, depending on the specific road conditions. This precision is crucial in effective road treatment and snow removal.

 

Spreader Chains: An Economical Choice

Beyond safety, spreader chains also contribute significantly to the economical aspect of winter road maintenance. By ensuring a controlled and even distribution of deicing materials, these chains help avoid wastage.

Considering the high cost of deicers like salt and sand, this efficient use of resources can translate into substantial savings over a season. Additionally, an even spread of material prevents over-salting, which can have detrimental effects on the surrounding environment.

 

Quality Matters: Choosing the Right Spreader Chains

Given the critical role spreader chains play, choosing high-quality chains is paramount. Good quality chains are designed to withstand heavy loads and resist the corrosive effects of deicing materials, providing reliable performance throughout the winter season.

When selecting spreader chains, consider factors like chain strength, corrosion resistance, and compatibility with your spreader system. Remember, investing in good quality chains can pay off in terms of enhanced performance, longer lifespan, and lower maintenance needs.

 

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Spreader chains might not be the most visible part of winter road maintenance, but their contribution is undeniable. These hardworking components play an essential role in road treatment and snow removal, helping to keep our roads safe and accessible throughout the winter season.

As we navigate the challenges of winter, let’s take a moment to appreciate these unsung heroes of road safety. And remember – regular maintenance and timely replacement of spreader chains are just as important as the chains themselves. With well-maintained spreader chains, we’re all set to face the winter head-on and ensure the safety of our roads.

 

 

United Rotary Brush Corporation has been one the nation’s most reliable sources for all of the brooms listed in this article and many other items. We supply our clients with important items, such as airport runway brushes, street sweeper brooms, snow plow edges, spreader chains, and more. It is our mission to help our clients keep their environments clean and clear of trash, debris, and any other object that might get in the way.

For more information about our expansive inventory of gutter brooms, tube brooms, main brooms, strip brooms, wafer brooms, and more – contact us today at (800) 851-5108. You can also go online to see our full assortment of products from highly acclaimed brands like Global, Elgin, Schwarze, XBroom, SB Manufacturing, TYMCO, Bucher/Johnston, Virnig, Bobcat, Laymor, Paladin, and many others. We look forward to assisting you!