Your complete guide to selecting the right spreader size, material, and controls — featuring insights from BOSS Snowplow, Metal Pless, and Berlon Attachments.
When the snow starts falling, plows may get all the glory — but spreaders keep your profits flowing. The right system saves time, reduces salt usage, and keeps lots safer with less material waste.
This article breaks down every factor: spreader type, vehicle compatibility, capacity, and control systems — so your fleet runs smarter, not harder.
1️⃣ Define Your Spreader Mission
Before choosing a spreader, clarify your core operation:
- Residential driveways: Short pushes, frequent reloads, lighter equipment.
- Commercial lots: Long passes, stacking areas, salt efficiency matters most.
- Municipal/industrial: Continuous runs, large coverage, high-capacity needs.
- Campus or sidewalk work: Precision over power, smaller spread widths.
Every job type has its own demands. Knowing this determines capacity, material flow, and mounting type.
📘 Want to compare plows first?
See our Winter Snow-Plow Buying Guide.
2️⃣ Match Spreader Type to Vehicle & Route
Tailgate Spreaders
- Mount directly to the truck’s rear hitch.
- Ideal for ½-ton pickups and residential jobs.
- Capacity: 200–800 lb.
- Best examples: BOSS TGS 600 & 800 series.
Hopper / V-Box Spreaders
- Sit in truck beds or dump bodies; larger capacities (1–4 yd³).
- Perfect for ¾-ton and 1-ton trucks.
- Offer enclosed auger systems, variable speed, and pre-wet options.
- Examples: BOSS VBX 8000 / Forge 2.0.
Skid-Mount or Compact Spreaders
- Used on skid-steers, UTVs, or compact tractors.
- Great for sidewalks, campuses, and small lots.
- Brands like Berlon excel here — with multi-use attachments that handle snow, salt, and fertilizer.
Liquid De-Icing Systems
- Apply brine before storms (anti-ice) or inject it into salt (pre-wet).
- Improves melt speed and reduces bounce.
- Compatible with Metal Pless and BOSS Forge liquid systems.
🧊 Need help calculating capacity?
Use our Get a Quote Tool — we’ll size your spreader for route volume and truck class.
3️⃣ Capacity & Material: Find the Right Balance
Choosing capacity is about matching route length, material type, and reload plan:
| Route Type | Vehicle | Recommended Capacity | Ideal Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | ½-ton | 200–800 lb | Bagged rock salt |
| Commercial | ¾-ton / 1-ton | 1.5–2.5 yd³ | Bulk salt or mix |
| Municipal / Industrial | Medium-Duty / Dump | 3–4 yd³+ | Bulk salt + pre-wet |
| Sidewalk / Campus | UTV / Skid | 100–300 lb | Brine / fine salt |
Material Types:
- 🧂 Rock Salt: Standard de-icing.
- 🪨 Sand/Salt Mix: Added traction on gravel lots.
- 💧 Brine / Liquid: For pre-treatment and anti-ice.
Pro Tip: Choose a spreader that handles multiple material types for maximum ROI.
Example: The BOSS VBX Series supports rock salt, sand/salt, and liquid pre-wet integration.
4️⃣ Mounting, Weight & Compatibility
Never overload your truck. Always check:
- GVWR & GAWR: Stay within manufacturer weight limits.
- Mounting Style: Tailgate hitch, in-bed frame, or skid-mount.
- Harness Compatibility: Ensure the controller wiring matches your vehicle.
- Material Weight: Remember—a full hopper of wet salt can exceed 5,000 lb.
👉 Use the 10 % rule: Your spreader and payload combined should not exceed 10 % of the vehicle’s curb weight on the front axle for proper steering.
5️⃣ Controls & Calibration
Modern spreaders offer smart controls that cut salt use up to 30 % while keeping coverage even.
Look for:
- Dual auger/spinner control knobs.
- Variable speed and digital calibration.
- Auger “blast” or pause modes for fine control.
- LED diagnostic feedback and automatic flow memory.
BOSS SmartTouch2, VBX Digital Controllers, and Forge Systems are contractor favorites.
These same technologies integrate seamlessly with Metal Pless plow systems and Berlon compact attachments.
6️⃣ Brand Insights
BOSS Spreaders
- Product Range: Tailgate TGS, Hopper VBX / Forge, Liquid Systems.
- Strengths: Wide vehicle compatibility, intuitive digital controls, and enclosed augers that resist corrosion.
- Best For: Contractors managing multiple commercial accounts.
➡ Explore BOSS Spreaders.
Metal Pless
- Known for: Heavy-duty commercial and municipal setups.
- Focus: Integrating high-capacity hoppers and LiveEdge technology with plow systems.
- Strengths: Reliability, large-lot performance, and advanced anti-ice integration.
➡ Explore Metal Pless Equipment.
Berlon
- Specializes in: Compact equipment and multi-use attachments.
- Ideal For: Sidewalks, campus, and secondary lot service.
- Strengths: Simplicity, versatility, and American-built durability.
➡ Explore Berlon Attachments.
7️⃣ Durability & Maintenance
Proper care extends lifespan and ROI:
- Flush the hopper and augers after each storm.
- Keep materials dry — moisture accelerates corrosion.
- Inspect spinner motors, bearings, and controllers monthly.
- Store indoors or cover when off-season.
Stainless and poly bodies resist corrosion better than painted steel — but every spreader benefits from post-season cleaning and dielectric grease on connectors.
8️⃣ Cost, ROI & Efficiency
A spreader isn’t an expense — it’s a profit multiplier.
Consider:
- Reduced trips for reloads.
- Lower salt usage per acre.
- Faster route turnaround.
- Less labor fatigue and downtime.
Smart controllers and pre-wet systems often pay for themselves in one winter through salt and time savings.
9️⃣ Fleet Setup Recommendations
| Fleet Type | Vehicle | Recommended Setup |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Contractor | ½-ton | BOSS TGS 600/800 + pre-wet |
| Mid-Size Commercial | ¾-ton / 1-ton | BOSS VBX 6500/8000 |
| Municipal / Industrial | Medium-Duty | Metal Pless PlowMaxx + hopper system |
| Sidewalk / Campus | Skid-steer / UTV | Berlon Compact Spreader |
✅ Combine each setup with a pre-wet or direct liquid system for faster melt and better coverage.
🔟 Buying Checklist
- Identify route type & volume.
- Verify vehicle GVWR / GAWR.
- Choose spreader type (tailgate, hopper, skid-mount).
- Determine material type & storage method.
- Pick capacity suited for route length.
- Ensure controller compatibility.
- Select dealer for install + support.
- Review manuals & maintenance guides → Resource Hub.
🌨 Final Word
Your plow clears the way — but your spreader keeps it safe and profitable.
The right unit helps you cover more ground, control materials, and build a reputation for clean, efficient results. Whether you choose BOSS, Metal Pless, or Berlon, your success depends on matching your gear to your workflow.
🧾 Need expert help?
Visit plowandsalter.com/get-a-quote for a custom recommendation for your vehicle, route, and snow conditions.
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