Ratio of salt to sand mix
1 - 20 of 28 Posts
Joined
·
1,114 Posts
Hey Dewey, welcome to LTS.
What area are you from.
We mix our sand / salt 3 to 1. If we need more control, like during ice storms it's 50 / 50 or sometimes alittle higher.
What area are you from. We mix our sand / salt 3 to 1. If we need more control, like during ice storms it's 50 / 50 or sometimes alittle higher.
Joined
·
18 Posts
Sand Mix Ratio
We Supply our towns and regional services, where I work, our mix is 5 to 1.
Regional Services now use straight salt with brine solution.
In Canada
We Supply our towns and regional services, where I work, our mix is 5 to 1.
Regional Services now use straight salt with brine solution.
In Canada
Joined
·
2,178 Posts
Hi Dewey
Welcome to LTS. While I am far from an advocate of Sand/Salt I do admit that it has its place on gravel surfaces. We do sell it to contractors and homeowners and use it on gravel roads and lots that we do. We do not treat our Sand Salt with white salt but rather we use Magic Salt in our blends. The following below are what we have found when blending with white salt. The results using Magic were better.
5-1 (20%) is just about keeping the sand pile from freezing and minor deicing depending on conditions.
3-1 (33%) keeps the pile flowing with decent deicing in areas of sun and temps above 22
1-1 (50%) will give decent results in most situations to 18 or so
Welcome to LTS. While I am far from an advocate of Sand/Salt I do admit that it has its place on gravel surfaces. We do sell it to contractors and homeowners and use it on gravel roads and lots that we do. We do not treat our Sand Salt with white salt but rather we use Magic Salt in our blends. The following below are what we have found when blending with white salt. The results using Magic were better.
5-1 (20%) is just about keeping the sand pile from freezing and minor deicing depending on conditions.
3-1 (33%) keeps the pile flowing with decent deicing in areas of sun and temps above 22
1-1 (50%) will give decent results in most situations to 18 or so
thanks for the info
I'm in the middle of putting up my sand/salt mix this weekend I've been mixing it about 6 to 1. just a little about me and my plowing...I put up around 100 yards of sand. I plow with a 99 GMC 1 ton with a 9-2 Boss Power V. My second truck is a 96 chevy 1ton with a 9' fisher and a 2yd stainless fisher I use this truck mostly for sanding . I plow mostly private some commercial.:grinz
I'm in the middle of putting up my sand/salt mix this weekend I've been mixing it about 6 to 1. just a little about me and my plowing...I put up around 100 yards of sand. I plow with a 99 GMC 1 ton with a 9-2 Boss Power V. My second truck is a 96 chevy 1ton with a 9' fisher and a 2yd stainless fisher I use this truck mostly for sanding . I plow mostly private some commercial.:grinz
Supplier here is doing 10%, theirs doesn't freeze... :beatsme
Joined
·
5,479 Posts
When I worked for the town we always did a rough 4-1 and the pile was left outside uncovered (3k yards +-). It froze on top and we piled the chuncks off for spring storms or to be recycled into next year.
Keep in mind, damp climates require more salt whereas ( and I'm assuming here) places like CO that tend to be drier may not need as much. Can anyone confirm that for me or am I talking out my Renda?:ff
Keep in mind, damp climates require more salt whereas ( and I'm assuming here) places like CO that tend to be drier may not need as much. Can anyone confirm that for me or am I talking out my Renda?
:ff
Joined
·
5,479 Posts
Your only issue may be it freezing in the hopper, especially after running around all day with snow blowing into it. Leaving sand in a hopper is a recipe for disaster anyway, ask me how I know.
I didn't notice your location, welcome to LTS, btw. Nice to see some more Mainers here. I think I used to know the fire chief from Liberty, is she still it?
I didn't notice your location, welcome to LTS, btw. Nice to see some more Mainers here. I think I used to know the fire chief from Liberty, is she still it?
Joined
·
35 Posts
We always mix ours with about a 10 percent mix. Never had any problems with freezing at all.
ya been there with frozen in sand I hear ya....Most of my sanding is done day after plowing and almost every day until next snow storm so when I sand I don't usually travel a long time with sand in the hopper. I plow with a differant truck...And no she is not the fire chief anymore....she gor done a couple of years ago
Joined
·
70 Posts
straight salt , all the time .
Joined
·
2,236 Posts
Pretty much. Let me know if you need help with mixing your sand or plowing this winter. You've stumbled onto a pretty tight bunch of guys here. I've met several of them at a few functions over the years in Poughkeepsie, St Louis and Erie. Generally, a mix of 5:1 will keep your pile from freezing. That's what I used in my shed with the south-facing end open.
Joined
·
5,479 Posts
Worked with her at the PFD when she was there, class act, nice lady.
Joined
·
1,160 Posts
I used to buy mine already mixed. When I began to mix my own I asked the local road superviser what ratio he used. If my memory is correct, he told me 7 to 1 when they stored it outside. That is richer than those who use 10% which would be 9 to 1 if I'm not too brain dead to think.
Since then I have bought from someone who mixed 12 to one.
I have tried a lot of different ratios and I agree with atgreene that dampness is the biggest issue. Also, the outside of the pile freezes first, like a shell. An advantage to less salt when doing gravel roads is that during warm spells it doesn't sink out of sight. So lately I have mixed a lighter ratio in the pile, then I throw pure salt over the exterior of the pile (to keep the "shell" from freezing). I cover the pile.
When I dig out a section, I throw salt over the exterior of the disturbed area. If the temperatures drop way down I throw extra on the area I'm digging and even into the sander. I also have a cover on my sander. I started with the cover because the little blue DOT trucks (or whoever they are that bust you) would hide on the back road I had to use. If they could bust me it would justify their existence goofing off. But I found that the cover kept my load dry and I could leave it in overnight. Check the spill on the outside, if it isn't frozen you are all set. If the spillage begins freezing check your load and get it off.
Since then I have bought from someone who mixed 12 to one.
I have tried a lot of different ratios and I agree with atgreene that dampness is the biggest issue. Also, the outside of the pile freezes first, like a shell. An advantage to less salt when doing gravel roads is that during warm spells it doesn't sink out of sight. So lately I have mixed a lighter ratio in the pile, then I throw pure salt over the exterior of the pile (to keep the "shell" from freezing). I cover the pile.
When I dig out a section, I throw salt over the exterior of the disturbed area. If the temperatures drop way down I throw extra on the area I'm digging and even into the sander. I also have a cover on my sander. I started with the cover because the little blue DOT trucks (or whoever they are that bust you) would hide on the back road I had to use. If they could bust me it would justify their existence goofing off. But I found that the cover kept my load dry and I could leave it in overnight. Check the spill on the outside, if it isn't frozen you are all set. If the spillage begins freezing check your load and get it off.
I've built a building with cement blocks I guess they call them jersey barriers they are 2'x2'x6' used them for the walls then built a truss roof over that . The building should hold a good 100 yds. with 6-1 ratio I think I should be all right I also cover my sander when I am on the road I think it does help the freezing
Ya She comes to my mill off and on for lumber she is a smart cookie
1 - 20 of 28 Posts
