SW20 De-icing Salt Spreader

The SW20 de-icing salt spreader is a piece of road maintenance and winterizing equipment designed for technical services, cleaning companies, property managers, local authorities, and construction professionals. It allows for the quick and even spreading of de-icing salt, sand, or road de-icing compound over a width of up to 4 meters, at walking speed, thanks to a rotating disc projection system driven by the wheels. Lightweight (9 kg empty), robust, and easy to assemble, it is the ideal tool for medium to large-sized parking lots, sidewalks, company driveways, schoolyards, and pedestrian access areas.

A versatile professional spreader, not just for salt

While the SW20 spreader is primarily used for snow removal, it can also be used year-round for spreading granular fertilizer, grass seed, sand, aggregates, and lime. This multi-product capability makes it a cost-effective tool throughout the year: municipal workers on winter (salt) and spring/summer (fertilizer for green spaces) duties, sports facility operators (sand for pétanque courts, grass seed for lawns), and professional landscape gardeners. One purchase, several seasons of use.

20-liter polyethylene hopper: capacity, lightweight, corrosion-resistant

The hopper is made of 2 mm thick polyethylene, a material resistant to corrosion from de-icing salt (sodium chloride) and ambient humidity. This chemical resistance is crucial to the equipment's lifespan: unlike a metal hopper, polyethylene does not rust, does not degrade with prolonged contact with salt, and requires no annual surface treatment. The 20-liter capacity holds approximately 25 to 30 kg of standard de-icing salt, which is the typical amount needed to cover 500 to 1,000 m² with normal spreading.

Fiberglass-reinforced polyester composite chassis: robustness without the weight

The chassis is made of fiberglass-reinforced polyester, a composite material that combines three key advantages for professional mobile equipment: high rigidity to support the salt-filled hopper and transmit drive force to the wheels, complete resistance to corrosion from de-icing agents, and a weight significantly lower than that of an equivalent steel chassis. This combination allows the SW20 to weigh only 9 kg empty while guaranteeing a multi-season lifespan under intensive use.

Solid wheels with rubber coating: guaranteed puncture-free

The wheels are solid, with a polyethylene rim and a rubber coating ensuring traction and shock absorption. This technical choice is deliberate and commercially sound: unlike pneumatic tires, solid wheels never puncture when in contact with gravel, ice, metal fragments, or the rough terrain encountered during snow removal on roads or construction sites. For a technical service that cannot afford to have equipment out of service during a snowfall, this is a crucial reliability factor.

Adjustable galvanized steel handlebar with anti-slip coating

The handlebar is made of galvanized steel to resist corrosion from salt and moisture. It is height-adjustable, allowing the pushing position to be adapted to each operator's body type: an ergonomic adjustment that reduces back strain during prolonged use. The non-slip coating on the grips ensures a secure hold even with thick winter gloves or gloves wet from snow.

Flow control lever with locking system

The spreading rate is manually adjustable via a lever located at handlebar height, without having to bend down or interrupt the movement. The locking system secures the selected position and prevents accidental variations in flow rate during operation: a major advantage for achieving even salt distribution across the entire treated area. For snow removal services, this consistent spreading rate optimizes salt consumption (resulting in financial and environmental savings) while ensuring effective treatment.

Retractable kickstand for secure parking

The retractable support leg allows the spreader to be placed on a flat surface when stationary, without risk of the hopper tipping over. This simple feature is invaluable in practice: for refilling the hopper with salt, for leaving the machine idle between passes, or for preparation in the workshop. The support leg folds back into the operating position with a simple foot movement.

Technical specifications

Hopper capacity: 20 litres (approximately 25 to 30 kg of dry salt)
Spreading area: up to 4 meters wide
Eligible products: de-icing salt, granular fertilizers, seeds, sand, aggregates, lime
Salt specification: dry salt conforming to standard NF EN 16-811-11, moisture content = 0.6%
Hopper material: polyethylene (PE), 2 mm thick
Frame material: fiberglass-reinforced polyester
Handlebar material: galvanized steel with anti-slip coating
Handlebar adjustment: height
Flow rate adjustment: lever with locking system
Wheels: solid, polyethylene rim, rubber coating (puncture-proof)
Kickstand: retractable
Dimensions (L × W × H): 85 × 50 × 85 cm
Empty weight: 9 kg
Delivery: Assembly required — product delivered as a kit

Is the SW20-light spreader delivered assembled or as a kit?

The spreader is delivered unassembled. The main components (hopper, frame, handlebars, wheels, lever) are packaged with their mounting hardware. Assembly takes 15 to 20 minutes using a standard set of wrenches. A CEMO assembly manual is included with the product.

Can it be used to spread fertilizer on a football pitch or lawn?

Yes, that's one of the SW20's versatile uses. Set the flow rate to a low setting for fine spreading of fertilizer or seeds; to a higher setting for salt or sand. Always rinse the hopper thoroughly between using salt and fertilizer/seeds to prevent cross-contamination, which would be harmful to the lawn.

Is there a minimum passage width required to use this spreader?

With a width of 50 cm, the spreader fits through all standard pedestrian access points (gates, pedestrian gates, parking lanes). The 4-meter spreading width is measured from the center of the unit: therefore, 2 meters of clearance are required on both the left and right sides for salt application. For unilateral spreading (one side only), the optional spreading limiter (ref. 10720) is required.

How much salt does a full hopper hold?

The 20-liter hopper holds approximately 25 to 30 kg of standard de-icing salt (the density of dry salt is around 1.2 to 1.4 kg/L). One fill is sufficient to treat approximately 500 to 1,000 m² in routine preventative spreading, depending on the flow rate and desired application rate.

Do solid wheels adequately absorb uneven ground?

The thick rubber coating on the PE rim provides adequate cushioning for typical snow removal surfaces (asphalt, exposed aggregate concrete, paving stones, slabs). On very uneven surfaces (gravel paths), the shock perception is more noticeable than with pneumatic tires, but the complete absence of puncture risk more than compensates for this slight inconvenience in professional use.

Can the hopper be filled beyond 20 litres to increase autonomy?

No, the usable hopper capacity is strictly 20 liters. Overfilling would cause it to spill while in operation and put excessive stress on the chassis and wheels. For longer journeys, plan for several refills nearby (salt buckets stored at collection points) or consider a larger model from the CEMO range (SW35 C with 35 liters, SW50 E with 50 liters).

Use only dry salt conforming to standard NF EN 16-811-11, with a moisture content of 0.6% or less. Salt that is too moist will clump in the hopper, clog the spreading opening, and disrupt the consistency of the flow. For salts with a higher moisture content, use the optional agitator ref. 10998. Move at a steady pace (normal walking speed, approximately 4 km/h) to ensure even spreading; since the rotation speed of the spreading disc is linked to the wheel speed, a constant pace guarantees a consistent de-icing agent density on the ground.

Essential maintenance tip: After each use, rinse the spreader thoroughly with water to remove all salt residue. Sodium chloride, left in prolonged contact with mechanical parts (wheel axles, handle joint, fasteners), promotes corrosion, even on a composite frame and galvanized handlebar. Store the spreader in a sheltered place after it has completely dried.