How Does the HARDER Spreader Dump Box Work?
After the Dump Box is loaded with the salt/sand material to be spread and the Delivery chain Drive Motor (hydraulic) is energized, the salt/sand material begins to be conveyed away to the Spinner Assembly. After some time, most of the contents of the Dump box have been conveyed away and the Delivery Chain is no longer buried in the salt/sand material. There is still a quantity of material alongside both sides of the HARDER unit, tapering up toward the top of the Dump Box walls. The driver of the truck then pulls off the road to a level surface and stops the truck. He/she raises the Dump Box, causing the salt/sand material to flow to the back of Box, once again covering the conveyor. This process (we call it “bumping the load”) is repeated 2 or 3 times during the course of a “run.” There will still be a small amount of material near the tailgate which will not make it onto the conveyor. Even still, more material will have been spread by the Dump box with the HARDER Spreader than could have been spread by a Hopper-type Spreader installed on the same size truck. Reason: The Dump Box will hold more material — and at a lower center of gravity.
Why should I consider purchase of the HARDER Dump Box Spreader?
- You can use your conventional dump truck for spreading
- You can dump your load with the HARDER Spreader in place
- HARDER Spreader slides in or out in 15 minutes
- Unique single pin attachment
- Safely spreads material with the Dump Box in the lowered position — not raised as with tailgate spreaders
- Don’t need to haul conveying/spreading equipment around with you all year round as with combination bodies
- Durability – this is a very ruggedly built spreader. Talk to HARDER users to find out how many years service they get out of a HARDER Spreader
- See our Brochure for more information.
What is required for installation of a HARDER in my Dump Truck?
Your truck should have a central hydraulic system with adequate output capacity to supply and operate the HARDER Spreader plus any plow equipment. Speed controls for the conveyor drive and spinner motor will need to be installed in your truck’s cab. Hydraulic lines will need to be installed to the rear frame member of your truck’s chassis. The HARDER Tailgate Kit will need to be fabricated into your truck’s tailgate.
Why do these HARDER ‘s cost as much as a low end hopper spreader?
When there is a snow/ice emergency, there can be no excuses why the spreader isn’t operating. We design and build HARDER Spreaders to give many years of service with minimal maintenance. This means using thicker material, using quality components and having top notch service and parts availability.
Why doesn’t it have a hopper?
Your Dump Box is the hopper — no need to double-up on containers for carrying the salt/sand mix. Your Dump Box will hold more material — because it has a greater volume — than a hopper would, anyway. And, it’s not economical to haul around the extra weight of the hopper.
What happens to the material that lays along the sides of the conveyor?
After most of the contents of the Dump Box have been conveyed away and spread, the Delivery Chain is no longer buried in the salt/sand material. There is still a quantity of material alongside both sides of the HARDER unit, tapering up toward the top of the Dump Box walls. It is time to “bump the load”.
What is “bumping the load”?
After the HARDER has conveyed and spread most of the contents of the Dump Box, the driver of the truck finds a safe place to pull off the road (level, solid ground with no overhead wires or trees) and stops the truck. He/she raises the Dump Box causing the salt/sand material to flow to the back of Box, once again covering the conveyor. This process (HARDER users gave it the name “bumping the load”) can be repeated 2 or 3 times during the course of a “run”.
But isn’t there still material left along the sides of the conveyor?
Yes, there will still be a small amount of material near the tailgate which will not make it onto the conveyor. Even still, more material will have been spread by the Dump box with the HARDER Spreader than could have been spread by a Hopper-type Spreader installed on the same size truck. Reason: The Dump Box has greater volume and will hold more material — and at a lower center of gravity.
Can I run one of these off my truck’s hydraulic hoist system?
No, you need central hydraulics.
How does one dump a load with the HARDER Spreader installed in the Dump Box?
Chain the Tailgate to allow a maximum 10 inch opening. This will prevent the Spreader from being pinched in the Tailgate Kit opening. This opening will allow you to dump your salt/sand mix or small stone or gravel.
Why do you recommend a space between the front end of the Spreader and the front wall of my Dump Box?
We like to recommend a size/length of HARDER Spreader that will leave a gap of approximately 10 inches between the front (inserted) end of the HARDER Spreader and the back/rear face of any doghouse or front wall of the Dump Box. This gap is helpful when/if you should want to haul granular material without removing the Spreader from the Dump Box. If there is no gap or if the gap is too small, the material will tend to pack in that space. If too much material accumu-lates, it will prevent the Dump Box Tailgate from latching.
Can you make special length units?
Yes, we need to know the floor length dimensions from the back side of (the front wall of the box or) any doghouse to the rear outside face of the tailgate.
Can you provide a speed sensing hydraulic motor?
Yes, please let us know your requirements.
Do you have parts for older HARDERs?
Yes, because there are still 20 year old HARDER ‘s out there and hard at work.
How did it get the name HARDER Dump Box Spreader?
The unit was invented and patented by a talented highway superintendent by the name of Ken Harder.
How does the HARDER Dump Box Spreader work?
The HARDER is inserted into the Dump Box through the opening of the HARDER Tailgate Kit. The HARDER Spreader is pinned to the lower edge of the Dump Box tailgate with a single pin. Hydraulic Hoses are connected and the unit is test run.
After the HARDER has been inserted into the Dump Box, the Dump Box is loaded with the salt/sand material, burying the HARDER conveyor.
When the spreading operation begins, the Delivery chain Drive Motor (hydraulic) is energized and the salt/sand material is conveyed away to the Spinner Assembly.
After some time, most of the contents of the Dump Box have been conveyed away and the Delivery Chain is no longer buried in the salt/sand material. There is still a quantity of material alongside both sides of the HARDER unit, tapering up toward the top of the Dump Box walls.
The driver of the truck finds a safe place to pull off the road (level, solid ground with no overhead wires or trees) and stops the truck. He/she raises the Dump Box causing the salt/sand material to flow to the back of Box, once again covering the conveyor.
This process (HARDER users gave it the name “bumping the load”) can be repeated 2 or 3 times during the course of a “run.” There will still be a small amount of material near the tailgate which will not make it onto the conveyor. Even still, more material will have been spread by the Dump box with the HARDER Spreader than could have been spread by a Hopper-type Spreader installed on the same size truck. Reason: The Dump Box has greater volume and will hold more material — and at a lower center of gravity.
