April 2003
BID LIST
Materials for Deicing and Anti-icing
by Kerry Clines, Associate Editor

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Manufacturers listed in this feature responded to a special mailing by Better Roads and do not necessarily represent the entire market for this product. 

More automated equipment, as well as improved materials, means better driving when ice and snow hit bridges and roads.

Road deicing and anti-icing have become more sophisticated as improved equipment and materials offer opportunities for better control at a reasonable cost. The arsenal of the winter maintenance manager is made up of weather forecasting and in-road sensor systems that determine the need for anti-icing in a timely fashion, sprayers with automated dispensing, snowplows or trucks with specially designed blades for quick snow removal, and chemical materials that melt snow and ice, even in very low temperatures.

Anti-icing plays an ever-increasing role in winter maintenance, largely because it lets the agency or contractor to whom the work is outsourced prepare the road’s surface before a storm hits. Anti-icing is less labor intensive and provides immediate relief from snow and ice.

Spraying or other equipment with automated dispensing systems controls the types and amounts of material needed to melt predicted amounts of ice or snow. In many areas, salt and other chemicals may be combined to control costs, yet provide superior melting capabilities.

Use of specialized chemicals alone may be saved for tough spots, such as freeway entrances and exits or bridges and overpasses. Although more costly than salt, use of a low-corrosion chemical on bridge decks, with their susceptibility to corrosion, can be an economical investment indeed.

Deicing, applying material to the snow or ice after the storm has begun, is not as immediate as anti-icing and often means a larger amount of chemical will be needed. However, deicing still plays a big role in winter maintenance — especially if weather forecasting services don’t provide ample warning for anti-icing methods or when the agency or contractor is not authorized to use anti-icing.

Snowplows make up an important part of the equipment force for deicing. New blades have been designed to make plowing more effective and help move more snow faster, reducing costs.

Both equipment manufacturers and chemical suppliers keep improving their products and the effectiveness of winter road maintenance, as shown by the information in this report.

Cargill Deicing Technology
Salt/cane molasses deicier

ClearLane, manufactured by Cargill Deicing Technology, is a treated deicing salt that combines the ice-melting power of magnesium chloride with the stickiness of cane molasses, which gives the product its brown color. The cane molasses helps the product stick better to the pavement, minimizing scatter and waste, and reduces corrosion on snowplowing equipment. According to the company, numerous cities and municipalities have already achieved time and cost savings with less salt use, fewer passes of trucks to effectively treat a stretch of roadway, and fewer return trips to the garage to reload.

Tiger Calcium Services Inc.
Liquid deicers

Tiger Calcium Services recently developed TC Econo brine, a corrosion inhibited liquid form of sodium chloride and calcium chloride. The active ingredients for anti-icing/deicing are 20% sodium chloride and 4% calcium chloride. CorGuard TG is a corrosion inhibited liquid form of calcium chloride and magnesium chloride. The active ingredients for deicing are 29% calcium chloride and 1% magnesium chloride. Both products meet or exceed all Pacific Northwestern Snow-fighting specifications, including chemical analysis, corrosion rate, minor element purity requirements, toxicity tests, friction tests, and BOD tests.

Reed Systems, Ltd.
Anti-icing brine solution

Reed Systems has re-entered the business of supplying brine solutions to be used for anti-icing, pre-wetting, and soil stabilization. They distribute a high quality (up to 35% strength), naturally occurring brine solution, containing no manufactured chemicals or heavy metals, to customers in the northeast — New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Vermont, and New Hampshire. The solution is priced at levels at or below currently available products. With the addition of a low phosphate organic melting agent, EnviroBrine can meet the Pacific Northwest States standard for corrosion inhibited melting agents. The corrosion inhibitor used, EnviroBrine Plus, meets the demanding standards of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection for use in reservoir drainages.

Quixote Transportation Safety, Inc.
RWIS/FreezeFree system activates deicing functions

Quixote Transportation Safety has integrated technologies from its Surface Systems, Inc. and Energy Absorption Systems, Inc. resulting in a road weather information system that not only gathers weather data but, when conditions warrant, automatically activates a deicing function that dispenses a deicing agent on roadways, bridges, runways, and other areas that are prone to icing and inclement weather conditions that can result in dangerous driving conditions. DOT studies have shown that the system increases winter travel safety while reducing the amount of deicing chemicals needed, thus decreasing the cost of maintaining roads for the traveling public.

Each RWIS site contains surface sensors embedded in the pavement that measure both pavement and atmospheric conditions — temperature, freeze point, form of moisture (snow/ice), and amount of deicing chemical. The sensors also determine air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, precipitation, and visibility. All sensors connect to a remote processing unit that transmits the data to activate a six-spray FreezeFree component engineered into the system. A FreezeFree component can be retro-fitted to existing RWIS systems already in place and operating.

VariTech Industries Inc.
Low-profile anti-ice tank unit

The 1850 LP Tank from VariTech employs a tank designed to lower the center of gravity. The low-profile, anti-ice unit addresses the issue of properly bridging the weight onto the front axle of the host vehicle. The unit is designed with a relief in the molding that allows the tank and frame assembly to be properly positioned in the dump body of the truck — slid completely forward. Proper axle loading and a lower center of gravity enhance safety and reduce road surface damage. The tank is available in one-, two-, or three-lane spray booms.

SnowEx, a division of TrynEx International
Spreader with cab-mounted controller

The Sand Pro 1875 spreader from SnowEx offers a two-stage auger system, independent spinner/auger controller, low-maintenance direct drive system, and more. The two-stage auger system design assures a positive, steady feed of materials, eliminating clogging and flow problems. The cab-mounted, independent spinner/auger controller allows for both independent spinner speed and flow volume calibration. Spread width is variable from 5 to 30 feet. The low-maintenance, direct drive system is mounted in a weather-tight enclosure and offers trouble-free operation. The spreader features a heavy-duty modular steel frame with a high-density polymer, UV-protected material hopper. The unit holds up to 9 cubic feet of material and can be easily attached to any vehicle using a fixed or pivot mount available from TrynEx. Optional accessories include a lighting kit for night operation and a hopper-top screen.

Norstar Industries, Inc.
Variable orifice nozzles for spray systems

Norstar Industries’ variable orifice nozzles enhance the productivity of spray systems. Key benefits include waste reduction, a solid stream with low drift, positive shut off, adjustable opening pressure, and a wider range of application rate and speed. The nozzles open when pressure and flow is increased and close as pressure and flow drop.

Dultmeier Sales
Anti-ice/deice skid sprayers

Dultmeier Sales’ 200 Series skid sprayers for pickups and small trucks come in 200-, 300-, and 500-gallon sizes and are constructed with a heavy-duty welded steel frame with a tough powder-coat finish for durability and chemical resistance. All tanks come with vented top lids and molded-in gallon markers. The standard skid includes a single-lane DU PB80R steel spray boom with 12 brass solid stream nozzles and standard pressure-based control system. Options include a stainless-steel, single-lane DU PB80R-SS boom, ground-speed oriented control system, or a three-lane stainless-steel boom.

SnowEx, a division of TrynEx International
Heavy-duty polyethylene spreader

SnowEx’s new Vee Pro 6000 salt/sand spreader is designed primarily for bulk material spreading with a unit hopper constructed entirely of heavy-duty polyethylene. Polyethylene eliminates the corrosion and constant maintenance commonly associated with steel alternatives. The spreader features very few moving parts and a low-maintenance, direct-drive system, making the unit virtually maintenance free. The Vee Pro is 60% lighter that steel units and can be easily installed or removed by two people. Installation is simplified with the exclusive rapid bed-mount system featuring metal rails bolted to the receiving truck bed, allowing the unit to slide easily into place in a matter of minutes. The innovative, cab-mounted, spinner/auger controller allows for both independent spinner speed and an infinitely adjustable ratio between spinner and auger, maximizing material usage. Spread width is variable from 5 to 35 feet. The spreader is powered by twin 12-volt DC direct-drive motors and features a unique auger feed system that provides continuous flow of ice control products. The unit is built to fit both short-bed and standard pickup boxes, and can be mounted in a standard 1-ton pickup bed.

Verglimit
Anti-icing pavement additive

Verglimit is a chemical multi-component deicer that is added to the top course mix of bituminous surfacing. It consists primarily of deicing salts and caustic soda. The product is added cold, directly into the pug-mill, during or after the asphalt cement addition. Placing is done conventionally (repaving possible), with compaction being the most important criterion. A Verglimit surface helps reduce the amount of salt used on roadways and in certain conditions can eliminate salting entirely if mechanical snow removal is intensified, thereby cutting down on or eliminating environmental damage from salt. The use of Verglimit on bridges and overpasses cuts down or eliminates the amount of salting required, thereby reducing corrosion and giving them a substantially longer life. Pavement quality is as good, or better, as that of normal pavement and the product remains active during the whole life span of the surface.

Highway Equipment Company
Multi-purpose, all-season, dump body

Highway Equipment has introduced a new multi-purpose dump body that performs a variety of all-season applications for municipalities and contractors. The XT3 spreads deicing materials in the rear with a 28-inch-wide center conveyor and quick-detach spinner assembly. An optional front cross conveyor broadcasts material on the centerline and in front of the rear axle. The XT3 is available in lengths of 9 to 16 feet, is constructed of carbon steel or optional 304 stainless steel, and offers a variety of features and options, including a new pre-wet system. When not being used as a deicing spreader, the truck can be used for dumping and hauling.

Boschung America LLC
Anti-icing spray system

The Boschung America LLC system uses the power of prediction to prevent roadway winter-weather hazards. This proactive system not only predicts current surface conditions, but also adjacent area conditions, so road crews can better manage limited resources and deploy where needed. The system uses patented road sensors to predict road surface freezing before it occurs, and then triggers their fully automatic, patented Thawspray TMS 2000, anti-icing spray system to treat the road surface and eliminate ice before it happens, enabling traffic to flow freely. The spray disks and pre-pressurized delivery units are powerful enough to cover up to four lanes, plus they continually self-test to assure proper working order. The flexible TMS 2000 is suitable for installation in all types of road and traffic surfaces.

Component Technology
Switchable anti-icing/ deicing system

Component Technology’s IceGuard allows you to switch between anti-icing and deicing, saving the expense of dedicating a truck fleet to a liquid system. The tank, working deck, delivery system, and boom are mounted on a free-standing frame with self-folding front legs and a universal tailgate bracket. A single operator can load or off-load the system in minutes. The system is driven by StormGuard controls available in a manual liquid sprayer design (ML400) or automatic ground speed controller (LA700). With the LA700, an exact GPLM is maintained, regardless of how often the vehicle speeds up, slows down, or stops. The dual boom system is equipped with a double row of quick-change nozzles for high- or low-flow liquid dispersion. With the in-cab control, operators can switch from one-, two-, or three-lane operation. IceGuard can be used year round — anti-icing/deicing in cold weather, vegetation and dust control in warm weather.

Mack Trucks, Inc.
Granite series snowplow

This snowplow is the latest version of the Granite series of vehicles designed and manufactured by Mack Trucks, Inc. The truck is exceptionally lightweight, but extremely durable. A heated windshield and mirrors, aerodynamically sloped hood, Mack visibility door, and large peep window provide excellent visibility in wintry weather conditions. The high-strength steel in front that carries the plow and hitch is an extension of the frame rail, assuring maximum durability. The large, comfortable cab includes a steering column that tilts and telescopes, a multi-adjustable seat, and easy-to-read gauges — features that can significantly reduce driver fatigue.

Western Products
New hopper spreader line-up

Western’s new line of hopper spreaders are ideal for ice control on roadways. Available in 7-, 8-, and 10-foot body lengths in powder-coated or stainless steel, these rugged V-box spreaders mount easily on pick-up, dump, or platform trucks. An offset drop chute distributes more material toward the middle of the road and less over the curb. A direct-drive system coupled to gear case input eliminates the problem of chain disengagement and means there are no chains or sprockets to rust.

Dultmeier Sales
Easy clean-out brine production system

Dultmeier Sales’ Brine Production System combines a downward flow brinemaker and their patent-pending rotating trash screen that allows the user to clean the system in less that 15 minutes. Simply move the loader bucket under the lower brine tank and trash screen, release the safety pins, and use the self-contained hydraulic system to lower the trash screen and dump the debris into the bucket. The salt hopper is built entirely of 10 gauge 304 stainless steel. The high-capacity hopper holds 6.25 cubic yards of salt. Large salt storage combined with 2-inch plumbing and a 3-horsepower stainless-steel pump provides a capacity of 4,000+ gallons per hour. The easy-to-use control panel automatically regulates water and brine flow. Turn on the water valve and the system does the rest automatically.

Spray-Air Technologies Ltd.
Anti-ice spray system

The 1,000-, 1,650-(pictured), and 2,600-gallon anti-ice spray systems from Spray-Air Technologies are available in skid mount or self loading with a heavy-duty frame. The system features include quick-change side booms (vertical and/or horizontal); a stainless steel filter; quick-attach adjustable nozzles; and a floating agitation line. The tanks are available in a variety of sizes and boom configurations, and come in white or yellow. Special design and build by customer specifications are available by request, as well as all stainless-steel plumbing and boom.

Dultmeier Sales
Self-loading anti-ice/deice sprayers

The 400 Series self-loading anti-ice/deice sprayers from Dultmeier Sales can be quickly and easily loaded and unloaded into standard 8-foot pickup beds by one person. The sprayers feature low profile tanks, 2-inch self-priming polypropylene pump to load or unload product from the tank, steel frames with a tough powder-coat finish, rotating front legs, and telescoping rear legs. Options include stainless-steel single- or three-lane boom, ground-speed oriented Raven DCS400/410 control systems, a variety of nozzle sizes for different application rates, and boom windscreens.

Fisher Engineering
Two-stage delivery tailgate spreader

Fisher’s Speed-Caster 2 tailgate spreader is capable of spreading all types of material, including wet sand. The spreader features a two-stage delivery system with a 16-inch belt conveyor for positive feed of all materials. The high-strength poly hopper has up to 1,200-pounds capacity on properly equipped vehicles. Spreader height along with the feed gate and deflectors are all adjustable. The spreader features a one-third-horsepower 12V DC motor, 15.5-inch spinner, and CHMSL, as well as an in-bed truss mount or an under-bed frame mount that includes a Class IV receiver hitch. The unit is easily removed without tools.

Road Solutions, Inc.
Liquid deicers

The De-Ice line of products from Road Solutions, Inc. consists of de-sugared sugar beet molasses blends and is economical and environmentally friendly. De-Ice, contains 55% deicing solids with a freeze point of -25 degrees F and is void of admixed chlorides, making it a true organic and biodegradeable deicer. De-Ice M is a 50/50 blend, by volume, of 30% magnesium chloride and sugar beets. The product is 42% deicing solids with a freeze point of -42 degrees F and is ideal for anti-icing and for on-board pre-wetting of granular. De-Ice S is a 50/50 blend, by volume, of 23% sodium chloride brine and sugar beets. The product blend has 39% deicing solids with a freeze point of -30 degrees F and enhances home-made brine by lowering the freeze point and reducing corrosion.

Highway Equipment Company
Easy-mount tailgate spreader

The new SA-6C tailgate spreader from Highway Equipment Company mounts on a dump body for centerline deicing or windrowing. The 6-inch auger with bi-directional flighting ensures that the deicing materials feed evenly from both sides of the dump body to the left-hand spinner assembly. It consists of an 18-inch polyurethane spinner disc with six formed fins to provide a uniform spread pattern from 4- to 40-feet wide. The spinner assembly features one-person removal and installation and can be easily adjusted to vary the spread pattern.

The SA-6C also features a hinged bottom panel for one-person trough clean out and a sturdy seven-gauge cover. Other features include quick-disconnect mounting that enables fast removal and mounting of the spreader in minutes, and a direct-drive hydraulic motor that eliminates chain and sprocket maintenance.

Horizon Products
Anti-icing/deicing fluid

Geomelt anti-icing/deicing fluid from Horizon Products can be used to treat salt piles to reduce chlorides in the environment and reduce corrosion of equipment. Geomelt and ready-to-use pre-blends are stable, will store over the summer. Customers report using less salt, requiring less trips to finish a job, and superior residual performance. The picture (above or below) shows a snow-packed road where one lane was treated 15 minutes earlier with Geomelt fortified salt brine.

Hiniker Company
Stainless-steel salt and sand spreaders

Reprinted from April 2003 issue of Better Roads Magazine