Self-dumping hoppers are useful for transporting and storing bulk items any time of the year, but during the winter, they can further improve safety in outdoor applications, including:
Storing & Transporting De-Icers
Any time there’s a winter storm in the forecast, you can bet that municipalities are already calling in their road crews to broadcast de-icers on highways and main roads. The best way to get this job done efficiently (and quickly) is with self-dumping hoppers. Hoppers can come with attached plastic (or metal) lids to store salt, sand, and other de-icing chemicals before use. When those de-icers are needed, operators can use forklifts to easily and safely dump them into a truck salt spreader.
Removing Landscaping Debris
Landscaping companies can use hoppers for leaf removal applications in the fall, or just before winter ends, to help transport materials, such as river rock, needed for landscaping upgrades. A self-dumping hopper makes both transport and disposal easy and hassle-free—Roura’s durable hoppers, in particular, feature robust latches to ensure material is released only when needed and openings designed for use with forklifts and other material-handling equipment.
Removing Heavy Snowfall
Although plows are at the heart of snow removal, hoppers play a critical role too, especially during periods of significant snowfall. When neighborhoods don’t have convenient spots for snow drop-off, snow is hauled away in a dump truck and placed into large hoppers to melt. Hoppers can also be used to easily clear snow off of loading docks and other confined spaces that plows can’t reach.
Features to Look for in a Hopper
- Lids: If you’re storing any material that could be damaged by moisture or debris, add a lid to the hopper. The lid keeps the contents secure, while the self-dumping design opens and releases them when needed.
- Liners: Liners are necessary when storing corrosive or sharp objects, such as de-icers.
- Robust Construction: Galvanized, reinforced construction provides the durability required for certain outdoor applications.
- Slots or Mesh: If you’re transporting snow, slots allow melted snow to escape rather than freezing solid inside the hopper, while mesh allows water to drain away from de-icing materials.
- Forklift Pockets: Hoppers are easily transported by forklift, and integrated forklift pockets mean the hopper is always ready for the job.
- Casters: Casters make hoppers easier to roll from one place to another. Choose polyurethane casters when possible to add durability and rust resistance for winter applications.
- Low Profile: A low profile makes a hopper easier to dump, whether transporting salt, snow, or landscaping debris. It also makes the hopper more stable, which can be helpful when surfaces are slick during the winter.
- Bright Colors: The hopper’s color affects its visibility outdoors, which can be a primary concern in winter, when visibility is often low.
Roura’s Recommended Hoppers for Winter Applications
Roura Material Handling offers a wide range of custom-designed hoppers tailored to application requirements. Although every hopper is customizable, they can all be configured with the same standard and optional features, including:
- Forklift pockets for easy handling
- Standard bright Roura green to improve visibility
- Integrated latches and chains for added safety
- Tarps and plastic lids to secure materials
- Casters to improve portability
Here are the Roura hoppers we would recommend for winter prep applications:
Custom Galvanized Steel Hoppers for Durability
Although Roura sells stainless steel hoppers, our galvanized steel hoppers are the most cost-effective, corrosion-resistant option for general outdoor use.
Our galvanized steel hoppers feature:
- Exclusive pointed and pierced trunnion tracks with rugged taper pins.
- Mild steel that’s hot-dipped galvanized for improved corrosion resistance.
- Options for lids, latches, and chains, depending on your needs.
Lined Hoppers for Salt Transportation
Salt is highly corrosive, but our lined hoppers provide a layer of protection against corrosive materials. You can store and transport your slat all winter long without fear of damaging your hopper.
Dewatering Hoppers for Transporting Wet Materials
Our dewatering hoppers hold up to 6,000 lbs of material and feature a mesh wall and floor that allow water to drain easily from wet materials, such as traction sand or snow.
Find Your Solution
Founded over a century ago, Roura Material Handling has helped businesses in many industries, from landscaping to manufacturing, find the most efficient material handling solutions. Nobody knows hoppers like Roura because we invented them. Every hopper we engineer is built to last, even in the most demanding applications.
If you’re looking to improve your current material handling setup, contact us today, and let us know what we can customize for you.