CRM Systems in Snow and Ice Removal

CRM systems are invaluable tools for managing customer interactions and data throughout the customer lifecycle. In snow and ice removal services, these systems can organize information and service requests from customers, and streamline communication. By keeping detailed records of customer interactions, preferences, and feedback, businesses can offer more personalized services, improve customer satisfaction and boost retention rates.

The Power of HTrack Integration

Hilltip’s HTrack software offers real-time tracking and management of snow and ice removal equipment. When integrated with a CRM system, HTrack can provide valuable data directly into the CRM platform. This data includes performance metrics, dates, times, and specific details about spreading amounts.

Improved Efficiency from Data-Driven Decisions

The data collected can help businesses enhance their operations. By identifying service delivery patterns, companies can streamline routes and improve response times, leading to better resource utilization, lower fuel expenses, and heightened service efficiency. This integration also facilitates effective cost monitoring, minimizes discrepancies, and supports liability claims, such as in slip-and-fall incidents.

Moreover, the wealth of data from this integration provides insights into peak service periods, customer service trends, and equipment performance. These valuable analytics are instrumental for strategic planning and resource management, allowing businesses to identify areas for improvement and refine their strategies for optimal results.

Documentation and Communication

Integrating HTrack data enhances record-keeping accuracy regarding time and resource usage, ensuring that fixed fees accurately represent services provided. This precise documentation aids companies in optimizing their resource distribution and workforce management by utilizing historical data insights.

Furthermore, the integration enables businesses to offer customers real-time updates on service progress, estimated completion times, and adjustments in response to weather changes. Such proactive communication builds trust and reliability with customers, contributing significantly to their satisfaction.

In conclusion

The integration of HTrack with CRM systems provides snow and ice removal companies with a powerful tool, significantly enhancing their service delivery, operational efficiency, and customer relationships. The tracking software is a standard inclusion with every Hilltip machine purchase, giving businesses a distinct advantage in a challenging market.

To learn more about the Hilltip HTrack tracking software, visit the product page or get in touch with us today!

The post Optimizing Winter Services: Integrating CRM with Hilltip’s HTrack™ appeared first on Hilltip.

Battery Performance in Cold Weather

In low temperatures, typical of snow removal operations, EV battery efficiency can decrease, affecting the vehicle’s range and power. This impacts the ability to perform extended or intensive snow removal tasks.

Hilltip’s Solution: Hilltip addresses this by designing lightweight snow removal equipment and with energy-saving features to reduce energy demand on EVs. They employ advanced insulation and smart technology to optimize operation, minimizing energy wastage and maximizing efficiency, thus easing the strain on the vehicle’s battery in cold conditions.

Power and Towing Capacity

Traditional, heavy snow removal equipment may surpass the power and towing capabilities of some EVs. Despite ongoing advancements, many EVs still don’t match the power and torque of diesel vehicles, crucial for effective plowing and hauling.

Hilltip’s Solution: Hilltip has developed not only lightweight but also highly efficient equipment, with innovative designs for even weight distribution, a patent pending energy efficiency pump system for de-icing sprayers and improved equipment aerodynamics for snow plows. This reduces overall power requirements. Hilltip also collaborates with EV manufacturers to ensure compatibility and enhance the power and towing capacity of EVs equipped with their snow removal tools.

Range Anxiety

Snow removal requires vehicles to operate for long periods over extensive areas. The limited range of some EVs, especially when loaded with snow clearing equipment, necessitates careful operation planning to avoid frequent recharging.

Hilltip’s Solution: Hilltip’s equipment includes advanced control systems for efficient energy management. This allows operators to conserve battery life through precise control over functions like plowing depth and salt spreading rate. Strategic route planning is also recommended to improve efficiency and reduce recharging needs; here is where the Hilltip fleet management & control system HTRACK comes in handy.

Vehicle Weight and Balance

Adding snow removal equipment like plows and salt spreaders can significantly change an EV’s weight distribution and balance, impacting handling and performance.

Hilltip’s Solution: Hilltip’s equipment is designed to maintain the balance and handling of electric vehicles. They use modular designs on the salt spreaders and sprayers for even weight distribution across the vehicle, minimizing impact on performance and handling. Hilltip also offers customizable solutions, adapting their snow plow equipment to a variety of electric vehicle models while considering their specific weight and balance properties. The most common EV vehicles that are equipped with Hilltip snow plows and salt spreaders are brands like GOUPIL, EVERUM, ALKE and MUP Technologies, which fall into the category of special municipial vehicles. The more traditional vehicle manufacturers are Ford Lightning, Ford Transit trucks as well as FUSO, MAXXUS and FOTON trucks that are equipped with Hilltip snow and ice removal equipment.

Embrace the Future with Hilltip

Hilltip has proactively tackled these challenges through innovative design, strategic collaborations, and smart technology integration, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of snow removal operations with electric vehicles.

Explore our wide range of snow and ice removal equipment today, and discover how they can revolutionize your winter maintenance strategies!

The post Challenges and Solutions in Electric Snow and Ice Removal appeared first on Hilltip.

Understanding the Snow Plowing Business

The snow plowing industry is defined by its seasonal nature, with businesses gearing up to combat winter weather challenges. Snow plowing is not merely a service but a lifeline for communities, ensuring roads and pathways remain navigable. Safety and accessibility are paramount during winter, making the snow plowing business indispensable.

Choosing the Right Equipment

High-quality equipment is the backbone of any successful snow plowing operation. Hilltip offers cutting-edge products designed for the unique needs of professional snow plowers in Europe, including tractor, pickup, and truck mounted snow plows. Hilltip’s industry-leading pickup-mounted snow plows are known to be the best professional snow plow on the European market. The Hilltip Snowtriker SP (straight blades) and -VP (V-plows ) series snow plows are designed to perfectly fit European pickup sizes, in terms of front axle weight distribution and electric can-bus light integrations.
The Hilltip HTrack tracking system ensures fleet management monitoring, while the patented salt spreaders and brine sprayers provide durability and efficiency in various conditions.

Operational Tips

Running a successful snow plowing operation requires attention to detail. Snow removal techniques, vehicle and equipment preparation, maintenance of equipment both pre- and post-winter season, crew management, and safety compliance are critical components. Adequate training for crews ensures efficiency and adherence to regulations, keeping both the team and the community safe.

Efficiency and Cost Management

Optimizing routes and schedules is key to efficiency in snow plowing. Hilltip’s products contribute to cost-effective strategies through features like the HTrack system, which allows real-time monitoring and route optimization. Additionally, the innovative design of Hilltip’s spreaders helps minimize fuel consumption with their versatility and in combination with Hilltip snow plows on the same vehicle. Managing both snow and ice removal with the same pickup or truck is a great efficiency factor and even better when empowered with state-of-art technology.

Customer Service Excellence

Exceptional customer service is a hallmark of successful snow plowing businesses. Clear communication during snow events, proactive updates, and responsiveness contribute to client satisfaction and foster long-term relationships. Satisfied clients become loyal customers and a source of valuable referrals.

Technology and Innovation

Technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing operational efficiency. GPS tracking and digital dispatch systems streamline processes, allowing for real-time monitoring and quick response times. Hilltip’s commitment to innovation is evident in features like the Hilltip HTrack system, showcasing their dedication to advancing the snow plowing industry. With Hilltip’s own tracking system, developed in-house, there is no need for a third-party integration to your equipment. With HTrack, you get information that a 3rd party supplier could not report, such as snow plowing routes, salt usage and application rates in the same system.

Sustainability and Environmental Considerations

As the world leans towards sustainable practices, the snow plowing industry is no exception. Hilltip recognizes this shift, offering eco-friendly practices, such as the installation of snow plows on electric vehicles. Sustainable snow plowing not only preserves the environment but also aligns with the values of conscientious clients.

Snow Plowing Success

Mastering professional snow plowing requires a combination of the right equipment, operational efficiency, excellent customer service, and a commitment to sustainability. Hilltip’s innovative products and dedication to advancing the industry make them a valuable partner for businesses navigating the challenges of winter. By embracing these principles, snow plowing businesses can thrive, ensuring safety and accessibility for communities across the world.

If you’re looking to elevate your snow plowing operations, we invite you to explore our comprehensive range of products and get in touch!

The post Mastering Professional Snow Plowing with Hilltip appeared first on Hilltip.

New technology on University of Vermont’s campus hopes to limit salt use during snowstorms

This Road salt can contaminate drinking water, be harmful to animals, increase soil erosion and can be damage infrastructure.

BURLINGTON, Vt. — New technology that’s been in Finland for several years has now arrived to the University of Vermont campus.

The equipment, produced by a manufacturer called Hilltip, uses software that can determine how much salt is needed on any given street or sidewalk being treated during a snowstorm. University-reserved sustainability funding bought the technology for just over $20,000.

“We have the control of the amount of product we deliver,” Matt Walker, Grounds Manager at UVM, said. “It uses GPS technology to locate your truck, your piece of equipment, and give us the ability from a remote location to determine spread amounts.”

Any time salt is used during snowstorms, it can have harmful impacts.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), road salt can contaminate drinking water, be harmful to animals, increase soil erosion and can be damage infrastructure.

“Salt is erosive,” Walker said. “It damages a lot of paved areas, concrete. We have underground utilities that have shown damage from salt. Door frames into buildings, stairs, all those sorts of things. A big piece of it too is water. The watershed run off.”

The university has put together a new Salt Mitigation Task Force made up of faculty, students and staff.

Students have been involved in water testing, which has helped to paint a clearer picture of what impact salt has had in and around campus. This summer, the students will also help to get the technology fully set-up and ready to go for next winter.

“They’re interested. They care,” Walker said. “They want to do what’s right for the environment and getting their involvement we get to hear what they want.”

Reference:
Carolyn Sistrand. (Mar 11, 2022). “New technology on University of Vermont’s campus hopes to limit salt use during snowstorms”. NBC5 NEWS. https://www-mynbc5-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.mynbc5.com/
amp/article/new-technology-on-university-of-vermonts-campus-hopes-to-limit-salt-use-during-snowstorms/39414575

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HTrack

IceStriker

SprayStriker

The HTrack tracking system uses HillTip’s easy-to-use StrikeSmart controller, which is placed in the cab and connects to IceStriker and SprayStriker products. Through the industry’s only two-way GPRS transmission, users can have remote control over an entire fleet of equipment, create geofenced work sites for client areas with custom application rates and track route data including speed, GPS location, and material used.

HTrack also assists with route optimizations and resource allocations for increased efficiency and profitability. It can create reports of material used for each customer and provide detailed documentation of ice control activities at individual customer locations. Thanks to this unmatched level of automation, drivers can concentrate solely on completing jobs as quickly and safely as possible.

“We’re proud to include some of the most advanced tracking and management tools available on our base model equipment,” said Hilltip’s Sales & Marketing Director Frank Mäenpää. “This level of technology is typically reserved for municipal-grade machines, but we believe it will greatly benefit day-to-day operations for all winter professionals. When customers buy Hilltip, they expect the best. We intend to meet and exceed those expectations at every turn.”

Headquartered in Pietarsaari, Finland, Hilltip is a leading manufacturer of road maintenance equipment in Europe. With equipment designed and built in an area that averages at least six months of snowfall every year, Hilltip is known for its extreme durability and advanced technologies.

The post Hilltip HTrack™ Tracking System Now Standard on All IceStriker™ and SprayStriker™ Models appeared first on Hilltip.

IceStriker 900-1250 AM Combi Spreaders

Powered by either 12- or 24-volt dual motors, the IceStriker AM Combi Spreader line includes three models with capacities of 900 liters, 1150 liters and 1250 liters. The modular hopper bodies are constructed of polyethylene and all mounted components are stainless steel, which helps prevent rust and corrosion. Spreading material is driven by a heavy-duty, 115 mm diameter stainless-steel auger featuring a variable-pitch design to help ensure steady, consistent flow.

Every IceStriker spreader features liquid tanks integrated into both sides of the double-walled poly hopper, which hold up to 530 liters of liquid. By simply adding the optional pre-wet liquid kit, which includes a pump and spray nozzle, an operator can pre-wet spreading materials to help activate the salt as it’s spread and to reduce material bounce.

Furthermore, by adding the optional 2 m dual spraybar, an operator can now spray brine directly onto the driving surface with a maximum 5m spraying width. This makes the spreaders ideal for all operations, whether they are just getting into liquid applications or are well experienced in brine. The addition of a 12 m hose reel and hand-held spray nozzle allows for easier spraying in hard-to-reach areas, such as on sidewalks and steps. Also, an optional bladder tank increases the unit’s overall brine capacity up to 1500 liters.

All spreader and sprayer functions are operated using the exclusive advanced StrikeSmart controller. Featuring a detailed color screen, the controller allows operators to customize virtually every aspect of their spreading sessions, such as adjusting vibrator settings, blast settings and much more. Also, the controller allows for exact material feed and spreading width settings (between 1-8 m), and all systems can be calibrated from within the cab.

Using the GPS speed-control function, the spreader will automatically adjust the auger speed depending on vehicle speed to achieve consistent material delivery, while the manual mode allows for setting a fixed auger speed. The controller also automatically collects and saves essential data to a USB memory stick. Logging data 24 hours a day, seven days a week, this feature provides operators with spreading reports that can reduce potential liability issues – a benefit to both contractors and customers. Accessory buttons are built into the controller, making the actuation of any standard or optional accessories simple.

Another exclusive ability with the advanced controller is the optional adjustable spreading symmetry function. Typically only found on larger truck spreaders, this feature allows the operator to adjust the direction of material off of the spinner from the cab-mounted control. This is ideal when working in parking lots or when working on properties adjacent to other businesses, so the operator can ensure that material is only being directed onto a paying customer’s property and away from vehicles. An easy to understand graphic indicates the current direction of the material, which can be easily adjusted with the integrated dial.

For maximum control and observation of an equipment fleet, all IceStriker spreaders are compatible with Hilltip’s exclusive HTrack tracking software technology as a standard feature. This allows for complete remote tracking and management of all software-installed spreaders from a computer, tablet or smartphone. One can monitor treatment routes, vehicle speed, GPS location and material usage in real-time. All of this information can then be used to generate PDF reports for the most detailed documentation. Also, the two-way GPRS communication channel allows application rates to be remotely set and adjusted for each customer’s site depending on weather conditions.

Other standard equipment on the IceStriker Combi Spreader includes a sealed, weather-resistant motor enclosure, automatic vibrator, integrated tie-down loops, top screen, pre-routed accessory wire for simplified light/rear camera installation and an inverted-V structure over the auger drive to reduce heavy start-up loads on the feed mechanism.

Additional accessory options include an LED work light, strobe lights, illuminated license plate kit, rear and indicator lights, legstand for more convenient storage/installation, end material alarm sensor on the spinner, tarp cover and an extended auger (+ 40 cm) for axle loading optimization. One can also choose to get the hopper in orange instead of the standard gray color.

Headquartered in Pietarsaari, Finland, Hilltip is a leading manufacturer of road maintenance equipment in Europe. With equipment designed and built in an area that averages at least six months of snowfall every year, Hilltip is known for its extreme durability and advanced technologies.

The post Hilltip Introduces IceStriker™ 900-1250 AM Combi Spreaders appeared first on Hilltip.

IceStriker 3000-5000 AM Combi Spreaders

Powered by 12 or 24-volt dual motors, the IceStriker Combi Spreader line includes models with capacities from 3000L up to 5000L. The modular hopper bodies are constructed of polyethylene and all mounted components are stainless steel, which helps prevent rust and corrosion. Spreading material is driven by a heavy-duty, 155 mm diameter stainless-steel auger featuring a variable-pitch or with a pintle chain conveyor designed to help ensure steady, consistent flow.

Every IceStriker spreader features liquid tanks integrated into both sides of the double-walled poly hopper, which hold up to 1200L of liquid. By simply adding the optional pre-wet liquid kit, which includes a pump and spray nozzle, an operator can pre-wet spreading materials to help activate the salt as it’s spread and to reduce material bounce.

Furthermore, by adding the optional 2 m dual spraybar, an operator can now spray brine directly onto the driving surface with a maximum 5 m spraying width. This makes the spreaders ideal for all operations, whether they are just getting into liquid applications or are well experienced in brine. The addition of a 12 m hose reel and hand-held spray nozzle allows for easier spraying in hard-to-reach areas, such as on sidewalks and steps. Also, an optional bladder tank increases the unit’s overall brine capacity to 2300L.

All spreader and sprayer functions are operated using the exclusive advanced StrikeSmart controller. Featuring a detailed color screen, the controller allows operators to customize virtually every aspect of their spreading sessions, such as adjusting vibrator settings, blast settings and much more. Also, the controller allows for exact material feed and spreading width settings (between 1 and 10m), and all systems can be calibrated from within the cab.

Using the GPS speed-control function, the spreader will automatically adjust the auger speed depending on vehicle speed to achieve consistent material delivery, while the manual mode allows for setting a fixed auger speed. The controller also automatically collects and saves essential data to a USB memory stick. Logging data 24 hours a day, seven days a week, this feature provides operators with spreading reports that can reduce potential liability issues – a benefit to both contractors and customers. Accessory buttons are built into the controller, making the actuation of any standard or optional accessories simple.

Another exclusive ability with the advanced controller is the optional adjustable spreading symmetry function. Typically only found on larger truck spreaders, this feature allows the operator to adjust the direction of material off of the spinner from the cab-mounted control. This is ideal when working in parking lots or when working on properties adjacent to other businesses, so the operator can ensure that material is only being directed onto a paying customer’s property and away from vehicles. An easy to understand graphic indicates the current direction of the material, which can be easily adjusted with the integrated dial.

For maximum control and observation of an equipment fleet, all IceStriker spreaders are compatible with Hilltip’s exclusive HTrack tracking software option. This allows for complete remote tracking and management of all software-installed spreaders from a computer, tablet or smartphone. One can monitor treatment routes, vehicle speed, GPS location and material usage in real-time. All of this information can then be used to generate PDF reports for the most detailed documentation. Also, the two-way GPRS communication channel allows application rates to be remotely set and adjusted for each customer’s site depending on weather conditions.

Other standard equipment on the IceStriker Combi Spreader includes a sealed, weather-resistant motor enclosure, automatic vibrator, integrated tie-down loops, top screen, pre-routed accessory wire for simplified light/rear camera installation and an inverted-V structure over the auger drive to reduce heavy start-up loads on the feed mechanism.

Additional accessory options include an LED work light, strobe lights, illuminated license plate kit, rear and indicator lights, legstand for more convenient storage/installation, end material alarm sensor on the spinner, tarp cover and an extended auger (+24-inches) for axle loading optimization. One can also choose to get the hopper in orange instead of the standard gray color.

Headquartered in Pietarsaari, Finland, Hilltip is a leading manufacturer of road maintenance equipment in Europe. With equipment designed and built in an area that averages at least six months of snowfall every year, Hilltip is known for its extreme durability and advanced technologies. For more information, contact Hilltip at +358 50 5983 026 or visit the website at www.hilltip.com.

The post Hilltip Introduces NEW IceStriker™ Electric Combi Spreaders appeared first on Hilltip.

This article is written by Paddy Hastie, Winter Equipment Manager at Peacock Salt and a member of the National Winter Service Research Group‘s (NWSRG) Technical Advisory Group.

Peacock Salt recently undertook a study to compare the salt saving recovered by a number of UK Gritting Contractors when they switched from a leading brand salt spreader, to the Hilltip IceStriker 850.

The Hilltip IceStriker 850 uses GPS technology to allow the driver to apply salt using a g/m² control. The system ensures the amount of salt is consistent with that target regardless of changes in the vehicle speed.The effect is a higher control over salt distribution and protection against over-salting.

The leading brand spreader’s technology is commonplace, with an auger and spinner control. Users can follow a calibration method at each site with the aim of putting down an appropriate amount of salt. Often this can lead to covering the ground in salt without adhering to any particular guidelines. There can be salt wasted and a high cost incurred, as a result.

Peacock Salt compared data over two winter seasons, one year with the leading brand spreader and one season with the Hilltip IceStriker 850. The comparison used the same region of the country and winters with similar weather pattern. It also accounted for the number of site visits and worked out a weight per site visit. Both spreaders held a similar weight of salt.

It was found that sites using the Hilltip IceStriker 850 used 33% less salt.

Customer satisfaction remained consistent over the period. No detrimental effect was noted on claims from slips, trips and falls. These spreaders also used Hilltip HTrack which helped one Contractor to more than halve the time taken to resolve any claims which did arise.

The post Article: 1/3 salt saving, same winter service with Hilltip Spreader appeared first on Hilltip.

In May 2018, The Highways Magazine (https://www.highwaysmagazine.co.uk/)  wrote a case study-article about the use of Hilltip SprayStriker on cykleways and footpaths. 

Safe cycling all year round

Peacock Salt’s Paddy Hastie, a member of the National Winter Service Research Group‘s (NWSRG) technical advisory group, gives a detailed case study on ice control for cycle paths.

A large network of cycleways, footways and footpaths has been developed across the country alongside new and existing road infrastructure and it is important that the risks to users of this network are appropriately considered by those responsible for maintaining the infrastructure throughout the year. It is for this reason that the NWSRG’s new guidance will devote a whole chapter to this important part of our national infrastructure. So, how does one go about providing a winter service on large lengths of cycleways and footpaths that can be difficult to access via conventional winter maintenance vehicles?

This is a challenge that Amey was presented with ahead of the winter 2017/18 season. In 2017 all new roads that were part of the Transport Scotland commissioned M8, M73, M74 Motorway Improvements Project opened. As operation and maintenance contractor for the project, Amey, on behalf of Scottish Roads Partnership, has a maintenance responsibility for over 20km of 3-6-metre wide footpaths and access tracks adjacent to the A8/M8 between Baillieston and Eurocentral and the A725/M74 around Raith Interchange.

The typical Scottish winter presented challenges to the team. Many of the pathways have infrequent use. Traffic helps the activation of traditional granular de-icers. For all areas of footpaths the use of sodium chloride brine was stipulated. After analysing the routes, the decision was made to also treat some of the low trafficked access tracks with brine at the recommended application rate of 30ml/m² as the de-icing properties of brine activate more quickly than granular de-icers and without the same requirement for frequent traffic of the pathways.

Various criteria are utilised to trigger winter treatment, typically a predicted minimum road surface temperature of PS1.0 (+1°C) or below, or a forecast winter hazard, and sometimes it is necessary to mobilise and undertake action at short notice. With constant pressure on resources, and the planned future handover of some of these paths to adjacent local authorities, utilising existing vehicles available for the contract was a desired approach.

In line with the requirements for other de-icing vehicles, there was also a desire to ensure that sufficient data was recorded to evidence the treatments being carried out and that reports would be available documenting such treatments. Although this is not generally a problem for the larger carriageway gritting vehicles that are equipped with vehiclemounted data loggers, much of the traditional spraying technology for footpaths and cycleways is basic and largely based around equipment originally designed for agricultural use; it typically has minimal data logging ability and no tracking facility.

Amey’s existing M8, M73, M74 project fleet has two Mistubushi L200 pickup trucks available for use during the winter season. Peacock Salt, an NWSRG member, demonstrated the Hilltip SprayStriker to Amey.

Hilltip is a winter service equipment manufacturer based in Finland and the SprayStriker is a liquid sprayer which can be quickly mounted and de-mounted to a vehicle once the connections have been built onto the vehicle. Due to weight restrictions of the pickup trucks, a 500-litre capacity was required. The Hilltip technology seemed a perfect fit for their needs. No equipment is ever one-size-fits-all and the team optimised the SprayStriker unit for their needs.

The SprayStriker pump system has been calibrated to optimise it for the specific liquid density of the brine, produced in an on-site saturator. A 12-metre hose reel and nozzle was installed, which enabled harder to reach areas to be treated without the need to overmanoeuvre the vehicle. Manual sprayers were also supplied by Peacock Salt for areas such as footbridges requiring less corrosive de-icers.

The unit uses a GPS antenna to determine ground speed and can control unit pumps as appropriate. The winter service operative sets an application rate in ml/m² and then has the assurance that the set spray rate is met, regardless of vehicle speed. In use, operatives also found that using the ‘automatic’ setting mitigated the risk of spraying other path users, and that all they had to do was stop the vehicle and resume treatment when the pedestrian or cyclist has passed. The GPS antenna alerts the pumps when the vehicle has stopped so the treatment programme is paused until the vehicle moves again.

Hilltip also created a service called HTrack, which allows their salt spreaders and ploughs to be tracked and the data sent to a server. Users log on and can extract reports on salt usage, treated locations, spread width and application rate. It provides evidence of treatment to end-users in order to assist them in demonstrating that their duty of care has been met. With a few software changes, HTrack was updated to enable liquid de-icer tracking. The HTrack tracking functionality gives the management team the required timestamped data in an easy to understand format, clearly stating application rates, when the vehicle is spraying or travelling, spray widths and treatment volume.

The post Article in the Highways Magazine appeared first on Hilltip.

The system is designed to automatically make continuous adjustments to the spreader output, offering increased efficiencies, improved reliability, and perhaps most importantly material savings. This saving can be significant, with many industry professionals suggesting savings of around 20% when switching over to GPS control on the salt spreader.

Simply, the salt spreader never puts out more than what is needed for the event, and the driver does not need to worry what is the correct amount by guesswork from what he sees thrown from the back of a spreaders on a dark snowy night. In most cases, the spreader driver will approach on the side of caution and use a lot more de-icing material than is necessary.

The Hilltip Icestriker 12V Electrical Spreader offer GPS ground Speed control as standard, as well as a built-in pre-wetting system that delivers a solution more accurately and efficiently onto a very precise target area.

“We just decided to design the salt spreaders the way we would like to have them, if we were a contractor”, Says Managing Director Tom Mäenpää.  “Winter maintenance work is challenging enough as it is for the contractors. Anywhere we can add value and make their work easier, makes a lot of sense.”

In addition, we have the optional HTrack system for all of our salt spreaders that generates easy to use reports which deliver proof of performance following each site treatment, as well as monitoring statistics over the course of a season. Time, location, application rates and a host of other factors are recorded and can be called upon in a moment’s notice, to ensure you can validate to your clients where the spreader was and what exactly it was doing.

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