10 Best Walk Behind Salt Spreaders

In winter, it is crucial to salt your driveways and walkways properly. Salting manually is not very efficient since salt tends to clump therefore reducing its effectiveness. Using a walk behind salt spreader results in an even salt spread to clear all the snow.

How does a walk behind salt spreader work? This is a spreader that looks like a wheelbarrow but has an underneath hopper that evenly distributes salt as you move along. It is easy to work with and also has an auger that spreads the salt on the surface. Its auger is driven off the axle using a simple but durable gearbox.

Before buying one, it is crucial that you look at the main features that contribute to its overall efficiency. These include the tires, handles, capacity, durability, weather resistant material, and quality of the construction. It can even be used to spread fertilizer or seeds making it versatile and useful all year long.

1. Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard Mini Broadcast Spreader

Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard Mini Broadcast Spreader

This salt spreader model is efficient and effective at spreading salt. It’s equipped with the exclusive EdgeGuard Technology for accurately spreading material as desired. It allows you to control the panel’s precision rate setting for a more accurate coverage of up to 5,000 square feet. It calibrated and ready to use out of the box.

It is one of the smallest walk-behind spreaders that can cover a large area of spread. The small hand-held broadcaster can handle areas under 5,000 square feet making your life easy. Just select the spread depending on the area you need to work on.

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2. Scotts Pro EdgeGuard Broadcast Spreader

Scotts Pro EdgeGuard Broadcast Spreader

Other than spreading salt, the Scotts Pro EdgeGuard Broadcast Spreader can be used to apply seeds and fertilizer. This makes the model useful in all seasons. It holds enough lawn care products to cover up to 18,000 sq. feet. It is delivered pre-calibrated and requires no assembly, just unbox and start working.

It is designed to provide uniform coverage of any granular product like salt and fertilizer. Without this, you may end up with an uneven application of products resulting in diseases, weeds, uneven feeding, or poor insect control. It can be used to spread grass seeds or distribute salt to melt ice in the driveway.

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3. Earthway 2150 Commercial Broadcast Spreader

Earthway 2150 Commercial Broadcast Spreader

Are you looking for a compact commercial spreader? The Earthway 2150 Walk-Behind Broadcast Spreader will deliver as required. It has a 50lb capacity hopper, which is ideal for small jobs and suits a person with limited space.

The handle has a two-position adjustment for different heights and features a T-speed lever to give you total operation control and user comfort at different heights. It has a unique shut-off system, which ensures an even spread and feathered spreading edge for the most accurate applications. The three-inch pneumatic tires can handle snow and tough conditions with ease.

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4. Earthway 1001-B Precision Garden Seeder

Earthway 1001-B Precision Garden Seeder

Take the guesswork out of planting with this excellent row crop planter. The Earthway 1001-B Precision Garden Seeder provides a more efficient way to seed a large garden or flower bed. It comes with six standard seed plates for planting different seeds including beets, carrots, peas, beans, radish, and sweet corn.

Once you install the right plate, it will evenly space the seeds as desired. This model even marks the next row ahead of time, therefore, making your work easy. It is made of durable weather-resistant material and requires no assembly when purchased.

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5. Agri-Fab 45-0462 Push Broadcast Spreader

Agri-Fab 45-0462 Push Broadcast Spreader

This 130 lb broadcast spreader from Agri-Fab is a perfect appliance for spreading fertilizer and grass seed. It also works as an excellent salt spreader to melt ice in winter. It features an ergonomic handle design that will not tire you even if you work for long.

The large pneumatic tires make it easy to work within snow and long grass. The spreader is easy to control and makes lawn care fun. It has a rustproof poly hopper and a solid rod gate control.

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6. Lesco 50Lb Push Spreader

Lesco 50Lb Push Spreader

Get the Lesco 092807 walk-behind Push Spreader for a smooth spreading operation. It has durable tires that can handle almost any terrain and makes it easy to control. Its frame is made of a powder-coated steel carbon to help withstand the elements and give it excellent durability.

This model is designed to withstand the rugged outdoor environment and serve you longer. The hopper has a 50lb capacity and is ideal for spreading ice melt, salt, seeds, fertilizer, and other granular materials.

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7. Chapin International Salt/Ice Melt Spreader

Chapin International Salt/Ice Melt Spreader

You will get all that you expect from a salt spreader for home use. It has an 80lb capacity poly hopper rested on a powder coated steel frame. The model is designed for durability and ergonomics. The 12-inch pneumatic tires can handle any terrain very efficiently.

You will like the new spike auger that effectively agitates the salt to minimize clumping. Its enclosed gear system is designed to withstand the elements and serve you longer. With a simple gate adjustment, the spreader can work as a salt spreader, fertilizer, and seed disperser and handle more materials that are granular.

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8. Chapin 80088 Salt and Ice Melt Spreader

Chapin 80088 Salt and Ice Melt Spreader

This 80-pound salt spreader features a large rugged hopper design to cover a large area. Its powder-coated steel frame offers excellent durability and reliable support. Its aggressive spiked auger agitates salt for smooth flow and even spread.

The ergonomic bail system allows you to use either the right or left hand in the operation. To handle most terrains, the spreader is fitted with pneumatic tires. It is all-season equipment and will not rest since it can disperse seeds, fertilizer, and other granular products in addition to spreading salt.

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9. Westward 10F633 Broadcast Spreader

Westward 10F633 Broadcast Spreader

With a hopper capacity of 60 lbs, this spreader is the right model for home use. It has an average spread width of 10 to 12 feet and has a calibrated flow rate control plate. It has 10-inch pneumatic tires to handle most terrains easily and even includes a hopper cover. Its durability comes from the ¾-inch tube steel frame, steel axle, and the handle loop.

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10. Giantex 65lbs Weight Capacity Seed Grass Spreader

Giantex 65lbs Weight Capacity Seed Grass Spreader

If you are looking for the right spreader for fertilizer, seeds, and salt, then this is the model to buy. It is designed to make you work easier, efficient, and alleviate your workload. Its wheels help you move quickly to finish the task and move on to something else.

It has a basket with a maximum weight capacity of 65lbs meaning it can cover up to 11,000 square feet. This is a durable product made of heavy-duty steel frame and a high-quality plastic basket. Use it on the farm, garden, lawn, or backyard to seed, fertilize, and salt.

The rustproof hopper and heavy-duty steel frame increase its durability and service life. It is pre-calibrated and requires no assembly when you purchase it. Just unbox and start working.

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Salt spreader buying guide

In winter, even the best snow thrower will not guarantee you a clean, dry and ice-proof pavement. When the snow melts, it runs back onto your pavement as water, and when the temperature drops again, you will have more challenges. The best solution to this has always been salt. The question is how best do you spread it. Here are some solutions for you.

Types of salt spreaders

ATV salt spreaders

These types are designed to be attached to the back of an all-terrain vehicle. ATVs serve a variety of purposes one of them being to spread salt around the home. Once you attached the salt spreader to the back, it becomes easy and fun to spread.

Snow blower salt spreader

When you have so much on your plate, then this is the best solution for you. You will kill two birds with one stone and save time and fuel. A walk behind snow blower can attach a spot spreader to melt away whatever is left behind after blowing. They are, however not equipped to fit all models so check before ordering one.

Tailgate spreader

If you have a lot of pavement to salt, the most efficient salt spreader will be a tailgate spreader. It is designed for big jobs and attaches to the hitch on the back of a truck. This is the best way to spread salt on a large drive. Often they are equipped with durable augers to chip and spread salt more efficiently.

Walk-behind spreaders

They are probably the most common on the market. They have two large tires and a spreader plate that turns with the axle using a set of gears. Salt pours over the spinning spreader plate as you chug along. This action broadcasts the salt over snow to keep it from forming into ice on the pavement or driveway.

Tow-behind spreaders

If you have a garden or lawn tractor, you can benefit from this type of salt spreader. They are similar to the walk-behind types, but are designed to attach to the hitch of a garden or lawn tractor. They can cover a large area easily as the tractor cleans away snow.

Factors to consider when purchasing a salt spreader

If you are new to de-icing, you will learn that it is not as simple to apply salt to the snow. There are various issues to consider including the amount and type of material needed, the durability and strength of the equipment, and the size of storage required.

What customers think about the product

Check plenty of customer reviews before settling on a specific product. Past customers will give unbiased feedback to help you recognize the positive and negatives of each product.

Product rating

The rate given the product by buying customers will indicate how good it is. Any rating of three and above out of five is dependable and will satisfy your needs. If it is below this, look at the feedback in details to ensure there is no malicious feedback.

Price range

Every type and model has different prices and may end up confusing you. It is not always that the high priced ones are the best in quality and performance. However, for frequent usage, go for a product in the high price range. If you have a small pavement or lives in an area with little snow, then a product in the mid-price range is recommended.

Where you will use it

If you will use it on your property or a residential application, then a small salt spreader is adequate. To de-ice a walkway or a little patio, just go for a handled model. For small driveways, decks, and sidewalks, a tow-behind, walk-behind or snow blower spreader will suit your needs. Using a walk behind is easy, just push it the way you would a lawn mower and a set of gears will turn the salt dispenser.

For a large parking lot or roadway, a large capacity tailgate spreader or insert hopper spreader is the best option. Always consider the work ahead when buying a salt spreader.

Durability

The construction is crucial as it contributes to the product durability. Corrosion and rust resistance are features you should look out for when shopping for a salt spreader. Stainless steel or polyethylene materials are reliable and can last long in tough conditions.
Conclusion
Spreading salt on your compound and driveways is a good way of eliminating snow and keeping the pavement clean. The best spreader for the job depends on the amount of work and the available machine it can be attached to. For a small lawn or walkway, a walk-behind salt spreader is adequate. Since there are many models on the market, it is a challenge choosing the right product. You must consider the size, available storage space, salt type, material, durability and more to get the most out of the salt spreader.

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