Title
Anti-Icing Equipment - Phase II - Proposal
History
In August 2010, a bid was opened to procure new equipment desired to add liquid pre-wet systems to the Village’s entire snow fleet and for a “Salt Brine Maker” and storage tank. Due to limited funding, this initial purchase provided equipment for approximately half of the Village's snow fighting fleet, and a Brine Maker that was used to "brew" salt brine used in the Pre-wet systems. This second purchase will finish equipping the balance of the full fleet with pre-wet systems. With the pre-wet systems, liquid is sprayed onto the salt as it is being spread, reducing the "bounce," and improving the overall performance of the salt, allowing salt to work in much lower temperatures and to reduce the amount of salt used on every truck for every event. The third phase of the program to reduce salt and improve performance will be to implement a full anti-icing program using only liquids, but that will be in a future year.
During the winter of 2010-2011, the Brine Maker provided low cost salt brine that was used in the pre-wet systems, and also used to pre-treat hills and shady areas known for icing in advance of frost and storm events.
To add pre-wet systems to the balance of the fleet, additional distributor tanks are being requested. To further improve the performance of salt when temperatures drop below 20 degrees and for anti-icing options, additional storage tanks to hold enhanced liquids and the related plumbing and electrical to install them are also being requested. The vendor that provided the low bid in 2010 for the initial purchase has agreed to supply these additional systems, tanks and materials at their 2010 bid price.
Staff’s recommendation is that a Force America System demonstrator Pre-Wet system (Auto Truck Group of Bartlett, Illinois) used during last winter be purchased. The Force system worked well all winter and remains installed on a Village plow truck. A filter system is bei...
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