Don’t purchase a Downeaster insert w/ spreader

Lazer Man · Dec 20, 2008

I run a Truckcraft TC120 dump insert and a TC130 D-ICER, dump unit I just love works like a dream. The spreader works fine to but not without some modifications. We removed the baffle, works much better now. I will say this it does take some getting used to running with the bed partway up some of the time, and having to raise the bed to get the salt to the back of the bed. Also I know of a few running the TC160 undertailgate spreader and they love them. Our town has 2 TC140 units they run and have another on order.

Bob

flykelley · Dec 20, 2008

hlntoiz said:
J, Thanks alot but lets hold off right now. Let me work out some of the things I want to first. and then worry about the controller. Maybe we can figure something out before the GTG. I am coming up early anyway.

OMG not the 2002 F450?

Mike do these spreaders fit an XC90 volvo? I really would like to see my wifes go up in flames!

Hi Hintoiz
You know with a mig welder and some time Im sure we can make it fit your wifes car!

Regards Mike

Mark Oomkes · Dec 20, 2008

hlntoiz said:
OMG not the 2002 F450?

Heck no, that truck is going to be around until somebody totals it or it rots away.

That's the one that needs the spreader.

My '04 that needs to be deStroked is the one I wouldn't mind a fire in it. POS takes so long to shift, I think we could cut an hour off that route if we could eliminate the delay.

wyldman · Dec 20, 2008

EIB said:
Isn't true that the auger is at top speed now. The only thing the control will let you do is slow the auger down?

That's correct.I don't see the need for the separate auger and spinner controls for this unit.The auger is already too slow.

wyldman · Dec 20, 2008

hlntoiz said:
This morning I reached my boiling point with the entire unit. :headwall I loaded up the insert with treated salt last night. Got to the first account this morning and turn on the spinner and pull the switch for the auger and NOTHING omg . I am seeing that it is drawing amps from my volt meter on the truck so I know the motor is getting power. I worked fine the other day. I double check the connections and still nothing. Thinking that it may be jammed. I unlatch the bottom pins of the tailgate and open it up from the bottom. A bunch of material is wasted on the ground at this point. I clean it out some and put it back. Pull the switch again and it starts working. Apparently the treated salt was too much for the motor to start spinning. This is NOT A GOOD thing and The motor inefficient and could be a major problem.

The biggest issues is being able to control the electric motors. (see pics) The controllers need to be synchronized. The auger speed should work in tandem with the spinner speed. With a separate switch for the auger on and off. (to control material flow) The current setup with the large pull switch (for auger) and the omega controller for the spinner just doesn’t make sense.

You need the other Karrier contoller.It is still a single output controller (spinner speed),but it has an output that you can use to trigger a spinner light.Use this output (the pink wire),and run it to the downeaster solenoid (trigger) that currently runs the auger.Now when you turn on the spinner,it automatically turns on the auger.Works well.

The unit is not powerful enough,and is very slow.If your coming from a small tailgate unit,it's a step up.If your coming from a big gas v-box,it will seem very slow.

These units are not powerful enough to work with treated salts either.They get extremely slow.

The dump unit itself also needs some work.Weak frame,poor weld quality,and poor assembly.

I've seen the crossthreaded fittings at the lift cylinder many times.There is no excuse for that.Both crappy assembly,and poor quality control.

Once you fix all the issues,they are not a bad unit,just slow.

hlntoiz · Dec 20, 2008

wyldman said:
You need the other Karrier contoller.It is still a single output controller (spinner speed),but it has an output that you can use to trigger a spinner light.Use this output (the pink wire),and run it to the downeaster solenoid (trigger) that currently runs the auger.Now when you turn on the spinner,it automatically turns on the auger.Works well.

The unit is not powerful enough,and is very slow.If your coming from a small tailgate unit,it's a step up.If your coming from a big gas v-box,it will seem very slow.

These units are not powerful enough to work with treated salts either.They get extremely slow.

The dump unit itself also needs some work.Weak frame,poor weld quality,and poor assembly.

I've seen the crossthreaded fittings at the lift cylinder many times.There is no excuse for that.Both crappy assembly,and poor quality control.

Once you fix all the issues,they are not a bad unit,just slow.

Chris, You hit the nail on the head. With all your points. The auger is definately to slow. I just opened the shoot all the way today. Still getting the timing down.

wyldman · Dec 20, 2008

I've done enough of them,and spoke to enough of our customers,to know exactly what goes wrong with them.Downeaster needs to get its act together,and fix a lot of these little issues.

It's like any other product out there,nothing is perfect,and will always require work to make it work like you want it too.

Switching to a hydraulic drive would make this a sweet unit,as you will have all the power and speed you will need.The drawback is the fairly expensive truck side system you need to drive it.

I will be making up a central hydraulics kit for a Dodge\Cummins specifically to drive the downeaster unit,and a Blizzard.I'll keep you updated,as this will be right up your alley.

chtucker · Dec 20, 2008

Actually I would like to see a Ford fire like this closer to home, more ruined/less time:

http://www.newson6.com/global/story.asp?s=9459526

http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/1208/575152.html

NewsChannel 8 - Share Fire Destroys Landmark Car Dealership In Bristow NewsChannel 8 - Print Fire Destroys Landmark Car Dealership In Bristow NewsChannel 8 - Email Fire Destroys Landmark Car Dealership In Bristow NewsChannel 8 - RSS Feeds NewsChannel 8 - Send Fire Destroys Landmark Car Dealership In Bristow via Instant Messager
NewsChannel 8 - Share This Article
Stay on top of breaking news! Sign up for NewsChannel 8 e-mail alerts.
Your Email:
Bristow - A Bristow car dealership has burned to the ground after a fire broke out Thursday afternoon.

The fire broke out around one o'clock at Bolin Ford, a Bristow landmark located along Main Street.

Terry Baviset with Bristow Emergency Management tells NewsChannel 8 the dealership was fully engulfed. Two firefighters were hurt battling the blaze, including one that was taken to an area hospital to be checked out for minor injuries.

The fire continued to burn more than an hour after it started.

Officials tell us the fire started in the mechanic area and that a mechanic was working on a car when it somehow caught fire and exploded.

According to VisitBristow.com, the building has been there since 1923 and was the first building in the block. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Baviset tells NewsChannel 8 because of the fire, tonight's Christmas parade has been canceled.

hlntoiz · Dec 31, 2008

I have a question. Maybe Chris or Jerre can answer. If I run aux lights off the same power as the spinner motor(will only come on when the spinner is on) will that draw to many amps? will that hurt the performance of the motor?

Jerre Heyer · Dec 31, 2008

Matt, you will be pulling power from the spinner or the auger. IMO I like to attach to the auger vs the spinner that way the spinner control does not see the extra draw. If you use the Karrier unit that Chris talked about they add the extra wiring you need for the light.

J

hlntoiz · Dec 31, 2008

J, I would like to run off the power of the spinner. I leave the spinner running and turn the auger on when I want to feed it. I just dont' want to add another switch and wiring on the truck.

Jerre Heyer · Dec 31, 2008

It will run off the spinner if you want to Matt.

J-

EIB · Dec 31, 2008

My Down easter gave me fits today. Everytime I wanted to ue it the auger motor wouldn't run. Had to hit the by pass switch on and off until it started. PITA

hlntoiz · Jan 1, 2009

Frustrating isn't it Everet? Spend that kinda money for something and it doesn't perform as advertised.

I will be doing some mods in the next few days. I am very unhappy with the spread pattern. I have a few ideas to make it better. We will see if it works. of course I will let everyone know. If it does I will patten it like the Erie Special package :wink

Pickering Snow · Jan 1, 2009

I havent seen the Newer Carrier controller but all the gol dam units i have ever used Snowex, DD, Byers, if you hook the flood to the spinner it will cause a Circ overload code to trip.

The Fisher unit has the extra wire but i had to run it to a seperate switch, the Snowex i bought from J if you hook it to the spinner the controller locks out with overload code.

flykelley · Jan 1, 2009

hlntoiz said:
Frustrating isn't it Everet? Spend that kinda money for something and it doesn't perform as advertised.

I will be doing some mods in the next few days. I am very unhappy with the spread pattern. I have a few ideas to make it better. We will see if it works. of course I will let everyone know. If it does I will patten it like the Erie Special package :wink

Hi Hintoiz
My downeaster will throw a bunch of salt, never a problem with the amount but it throws it heavy to the right. I have played with the salt doors and it didn't help it much. I do have a ploy spinner I bought from Jerre that I have not as yet installed. I also need to install the vibrator I got from Karrier, the slat likes to sit in the box and I then need to back up and hit the brakes. I am going to build a Liquid unit real soon but well still need to be able to spread salt at times.

Regards Mike

hlntoiz · Jan 1, 2009

flykelley said:
Hi Hintoiz
My downeaster will throw a bunch of salt, never a problem with the amount but it throws it heavy to the right. I have played with the salt doors and it didn't help it much. I do have a ploy spinner I bought from Jerre that I have not as yet installed. I also need to install the vibrator I got from Karrier, the slat likes to sit in the box and I then need to back up and hit the brakes. I am going to build a Liquid unit real soon but well still need to be able to spread salt at times.

Regards Mike

Mike, you took the words right out of my mount. Liquid and all. I find just goosing the throttle makes the salt fall back. I don't have to back up an slam the brakes. I am going to try the poly spinner also. But I am also going to cut the drop hole a little and add a little peice to get the salt to drop more towards the center of the spinner. I think right now it is falling almost to the edge and it spins off the spinner to quick. I think if I can get the salt to drop almost in the center it will stay on the spinner just the fraction of a second longer and therefore get a better spread. I am going to do it this week. I have about had it with the unit. Cant even load it up all the way with the fear of the auger not spinning

Oh ya......went to start the auger this morning and nothing........There wasn't even that much salt on the auger. I should have took pics. So I had to un pin it and dump my salt out and get it running first

:headwall

Downeaster should fire what ever engineer designed this thing or at least find new Beta Testers!

opcorn2

EIB · Jan 1, 2009

Matt,

I've had mine not work even when there is no salt in it.

What does the poly spinner do for you?

hlntoiz · Jan 1, 2009

EIB said:
Matt,

I've had mine not work even when there is no salt in it.

What does the poly spinner do for you?

It has 6 paddles instead of 3. It has a more even spread. you don't see the pulsating in the spread. worked nicely on the V box unit. I don't know if it will fit this spreader though.

Pristine Property · Jan 2, 2009

I have two downeaster dump inserts, two Voth Sales and Service inserts and 4 downeaster dump insert spreaders.

I have had many issues with the dump inserts so I deceded to go with a small manufacturer in Ontario to give him a try. They are working great, hold more salt, and are alot more stable due to having a piston on either side of the box instead of one in the middle.

I have had minor issues with the tailgates, and some are more own fault for improper maintenence.

My main issues with the spinners is that they all seem to have a personality. I have switched them between the trucks and they all have different cast patterns.... it doesn't make any sense.

You also need to zip tie the deflectors together because they move way to easily with the salt hitting them. We mainly do townhouse streets and it would be nice to not waste salt on peoples front lawns.

All in all I am happy with the way the new insert and downeasters unit work, but it still isn't ideal due to the mods that had to be made to make the downeaster fit the Voth. Voth has told me he is working on a salter to fit his dump insert and when that comes out I hope it will take care of all of the issues.

All in all I get annoyed the most with the salt wasted underneath the downeaster inserts. I swear for every yard we put down 3 bags of salt end up under the insert... The Voth sits flush to the pickup bed, so this is greatly reduced.

Don’t purchase a Downeaster insert w/ spreader

Lazer Man

flykelley

Mark Oomkes

wyldman

wyldman

hlntoiz

wyldman

chtucker

hlntoiz

Jerre Heyer

hlntoiz

Jerre Heyer

EIB

hlntoiz

Pickering Snow

flykelley

hlntoiz

EIB

hlntoiz

Pristine Property

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities