Death Valley 20 mule team picture to accompany "Put a pencil to it" post

This picture was supposed to accompany "Put a pencil to it" post. Well, her it it. 

Put a pencil to it!

The picture is me sitting on rail fence in Death Valley, California.  Behind me is one of the wagons used for transporting Borax out of Death Valley by the legendary "20 mule teams".  Actually the two animals hitched closest to the wagon were draft horses.  More on that later, the picture has little to nothing in common with the title of the post.  Although I guess the teamsters had to put a pencil to their operation, one challenge they had to figure was lack of water and the water requirements of draft animals.  Which is why they chose the mules, they consume less water than horses.  And water tank wagons were part of the convoy.  What I wish to share is the different opinions concerning liquid chlorides, including salt brine (sodium chloride).  There are many factors to consider when choosing and using liquid chlorides, including performance characteristics, cost, temperature, equipment, damage to equipment and/or infrastructure, damage to environment, etc.  Cost of product is a big issue and I have heard many individuals promote salt brine based upon purchase price.  Some agencies mix their own salt brine, which is great.  But, contrary to claims that salt brine can be mixed for $0.10 to $0.20 per gallon, I would have to question that logic.  "Put a pencil" to it!  What is cost of salt?  What is cost of water?  If you have city water, you are paying for it.  If you have well water, you pay the electricity to pump it.  Did you purchase a brine maker, if so, what did it cost?  Did you make a brine maker?  If so, there is parts and labor costs?  What is the cost of labor to make the brine?  Unless your employees are volunteers, they are receiving a wage and benefits.  If employees are busy making brine then there is something else not getting done.  Or, you are a very lucky agency who has yet to undergo any staffing cuts.  I am not advocating that no one should be making or using salt brine, but I do want everyone to be honest, at least with themselves, when they are calculating "cost of doing business".   My personal opinion, as a "fleet guy", is to use a chloride with a corrosion inhibitor, whatever that may be.  Corrosion inhibited chlorides reek much less damage and destruction to winter maintenance trucks and equipment, including applicator pumps.   That results in true cost savings.  And on that subject; I was approached by several companies promoting salt neutralizers to use on our equipment.  I never used any because:  A.  it is very expensive if you have many trucks (we had over 100) and use it regularly  and  B.  soap and water after every snow event work wonders on removing salt and brine plus the purchase price is very low compared to "special neutralizing agents".   Just takes some "elbow grease".  Don't believe me?  "Put a pencil to it"!

Look at this "Big Boy"

This set-up is the complete package for winter operations.  It has anti-ice application capability with 3 lane boom set-up.  It is equipped with 700 gallon liquid storage capability.  Has the Monroe salt crusher to grind up salt into fine granules and saturate with liquid chloride(s).  This is same process accomplished by Epoke but at much less cost and utilizing all American parts and labor.  In addition, the heavy duty 201 stainless hopper is equipped with it's own self storage legs.   This unit is being readied for delivery to Macomb County Road Commission by Truck & Trailer Specialties.  http://www.ttspec.com/.

KY-1 Y-chute with Double Short Chutes

Note the Y drop chute salt distribution attachment in photo.  Thise is a Michigan Department of Transportation standard winter maintenance truck component.  This device has virtually no moving components and provides economical means to apply material in a "band" on centerline/crown of road per National Salt Institute guidelines.  Note the short drop chute on passenger side between spinner housing and discharge spout.  This short drop chute allows the driver to deposit material in wheel tracks behind truck tandems, in "iced up" passenger vehicle wheel tracks, in one traffic lane only rather than on center line, compensate for wind when applying material, and more options for material placement on ramps.  Now, thanks to MDOT Kalamazoo Maintenance garage, a short chute has been added to the driver's side of the unit providing the driver with the same advantages on left side material discharge as they have on right side.  This modification is simple and relatively inexpensive.  The "slang term" for the newly modified chute is "KY-1".  This attachment is manufactured by Monroe Truck, Snow & Ice Division and available from Truck & Trailer Specialties in Dutton, Michigan.  www.ttspec.com.

Bulk Liquid Chloride Storage & Pumping Station Automatic Flow Control System

Flow control system featuring Raven Flow Max 810 controller

Read my book: titled: "Common Folk": available from LuLu Publishing

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Bulk Liquid Chloride Storage & Pumping Station Print

Click on post title: Bulk Liquid Chloride Storage & Pumping Station Print, you will be directed to my profile page on www.docstoc.com. where you can preview and/or download the print.  The print depicts the Truck & Trailer Specialties design which features the automatic flow control option.

Directions to access Docstoc

To access my documents on Docstoc.com where I am storing PDF files, such as Chris Deal Rollrite Tarp Modification:

Double click on post title:  in this case; double click on Chris Deal Rollrite Tarp Modification.

Double clicking should bring up my profile page on Docstoc.com.

You will see the PDF file containing the Chris Deal tap modification print.  Click on the file to open it. 

Chris Deal Rollrite Tarp Modification

Guaranteed to reduce or eliminate tarps destroyed by "ballooning" without using any trap straps/