Keeping roadways safe during winter isn’t just about plows and salt—it’s about the systems working behind the scenes to make sure everything flows smoothly. One critical but often overlooked component of winter maintenance equipment is the spreader chain. Without it, even the most advanced salt spreaders would struggle to do their job effectively.
Whether you’re managing a municipal fleet or maintaining airport runways, understanding how spreader chains work—and when to replace them—can make all the difference in performance and safety.
What Are Spreader Chains?
Spreader chains are the mechanical driving force behind salt and sand distribution systems. Found in the hoppers of salt spreaders, these rugged chains move de-icing materials toward the discharge chute, ensuring even, reliable distribution across icy roads and surfaces.
Constructed for durability, spreader chains are built to endure heavy loads, freezing temperatures, and corrosive salt mixtures. Without them functioning correctly, salt spreaders can become clogged or uneven in their distribution—leading to patchy coverage, unsafe road conditions, and unnecessary downtime.
Why Spreader Chains Matter for Winter Road Safety
Ensuring Even Salt Distribution
When spreader chains are working correctly, they ensure that salt is spread consistently across the road. This helps prevent ice patches, reduces accident risk, and makes the roads safer for drivers and pedestrians.
Minimizing Downtime and Maintenance Costs
A damaged or worn-out chain can bring an entire salt spreader to a halt. That means more maintenance, more labor, and more costs. Timely spreader chain replacement prevents expensive repairs and keeps equipment running efficiently through the toughest winter months.
Designed for Heavy-Duty Performance
Like road brooms built to handle demanding sweeping applications, spreader chains are engineered for high-stress environments. They’re expected to move heavy, granular materials like salt, sand, or a combination of both—even when conditions are wet, cold, or icy.
When to Replace Your Spreader Chain
Knowing when to invest in a spreader chain replacement is key to maintaining peak performance. Look for these warning signs:
- Visible rust or corrosion
- Slack or loosened links
- Unusual grinding or vibrating sounds
- Inconsistent salt flow or clogging
Chains should be checked regularly during the winter season, especially before major storms. Preventative maintenance not only ensures safety but also extends the life of your equipment.
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Spreader Chains vs. Other Essential Winter Maintenance Tools
While spreader chains are the unsung heroes of salting operations, they work in tandem with other critical components to maintain roads and runways.
Road Brooms
After the snow melts and winter fades, road brooms take over to clean up the remnants—salt residue, sand, and debris—that can accumulate throughout the season. United Rotary Brush manufactures all of these road maintenance tools with the same commitment to quality and performance.
Best Practices for Spreader Chain Maintenance
To extend the life of your spreader chain and ensure consistent performance:
- Inspect before and after each use – Catch early signs of wear.
- Lubricate as needed – Use a lubricant that resists moisture and corrosion.
- Clean thoroughly – Remove salt and grime after each job.
- Store properly – Keep chains dry and covered when not in use.
Just like you wouldn’t neglect maintenance on your tube brooms or sweeper attachments, your spreader chain deserves the same attention.
Why Choose United Rotary Brush?
United Rotary Brush has built a reputation for producing high-quality, heavy-duty solutions for sweeping and surface maintenance. From wafer brooms to spreader chains, every product is designed with performance, reliability, and longevity in mind.
Whether you’re maintaining highways, municipal roads, or airport runways, we understand your need for parts that can stand up to the harshest conditions. That’s why our manufacturing process includes rigorous testing and a commitment to excellence in every link, bristle, and brush.
Conclusion
Spreader chains may not be the flashiest component in your winter equipment arsenal, but they are undoubtedly one of the most important. Their role in ensuring consistent, reliable salt distribution is critical to maintaining safe road conditions. By recognizing the signs of wear, conducting regular maintenance, and sourcing high-quality parts from trusted manufacturers, you can ensure your spreaders are always winter-ready.
Contact United Rotary Brush today for high-quality street sweeping and runway sweeping solutions! Our team is here to help you stay ahead of winter with the best in brooms, brushes, and spreader chains.
United Rotary Brush Corporation has been the nation’s most reliable source for all of the brooms listed in this article and many other items. We supply our clients with important items, such as airport brooms, street sweeper brooms, snow plow edges, bucket blades, and spreader chains. Our mission is to help our clients keep their environment clean and clear of trash, debris, and any other objects that might get in the way.
For more information about our expansive inventory of gutter brooms, tube brooms, main brooms, strip brooms, wafer brooms, runway cassettes, plow blades, and more – contact us today at (800) 851-5108. You can also go online to see our full assortment of products for highly acclaimed brands like Global, Elgin, Schwarze, XBroom, SB Manufacturing, TYMCO, Bucher/Johnston, Virnig, Laymor, Paladin, and many others.
With more than 80 years of manufacturing experience in the rotary broom business, our team at United Rotary Brush has clearly established ourselves as a reputable source for all your brush and broom needs. Our full line of rotary broom products will be sure to include what you need.
We look forward to assisting you!