Spreader maintenance: after use, weekly and annually

The checklists below are Ficon's and apply to the models mentioned. The Falköping spreaders are covered separately further down. The guide on electric spreaders explains which Ficon spreader suits which vehicle.

After each use

Ficon is clear that the hopper should be emptied and cleaned after each use. Material left behind can freeze or harden and stop the spreader from working as it should.

• Close the hopper lids so that moisture does not collect
• Do not leave the spreader standing for long with material in the hopper. This can lead to compacted material, reduced or blocked material flow and damage to the hopper
• Lubricate the grease nipples with a good-quality multipurpose grease after each use. This is stated in the operating instructions for FC 380SS, FC 550-1100, FC 600-1000TR and FC 750-2500, and for FC 750-2500 they also state that the lubrication points should be greased approximately every 20 operating hours
• On the FC 750-2500, Ficon also has a daily checklist: the bottom plate of the conveyor should be emptied
• Switch off the power and wait until the auger and spreading disc have come to a complete stop before servicing. On the FC 750-2500, the auger is fully accessible inside the technical housing, and Ficon warns that it can cause serious injury or death if it runs while the cover is open

When the auger is jammed

If the error code “Auger jammed” appears, the auger can be turned by hand to free hardened material or stones. Switch the spreader off first, and turn the auger clockwise. Ficon specifies a 17 mm socket on the FC 380SS, FC 550-1100 and FC 600-1000TR, and 15/16″ on the FC 750-2500.

On the FC 750-2500, the inverted V has adjustable side plates. When they are fully open, more material flows down to the auger and the discharge becomes more even. If the material does not flow down and bridges over the auger, the plates can be removed.

Every week in the peak season

Ficon's periodic checklist should be worked through every week in the peak season. In the operating instructions for FC 380SS, FC 550-1100, FC 600-1000TR and FC 750-2500, it has the same five points:

• Clean the hopper thoroughly with water, inside and out. Avoid spraying water into bearings, the motor and electrical connections
• Check that all bolts and fasteners are sufficiently tightened. If anything is missing or damaged, it should be replaced immediately
• Check that all fitted equipment is still securely attached to the spreader
• Apply dielectric grease to all electrical connections
• Lubricate the grease nipples with a good-quality multipurpose grease

The warranty depends on the checklists

Ficon states that all the steps in the maintenance checklists must be followed for the warranty to apply. This applies to both the weekly and the annual list.

Once a year

The annual checklist can, for example, be done before or after the spreader is put away for storage. It repeats the cleaning, the dielectric grease and the lubrication, and adds:

• Gearbox oil change on the FC 380SS and FC 550-1100. Remove the drain plug, drain the old oil and dispose of it responsibly, refit the plug and add 0.9 dl of new oil through the filler plug. Ficon recommends 75W90 GL-5 gear oil
• Check the bearings, and replace them if necessary
• Clean the plugs and connectors, apply dielectric grease to them, and fit clean dust caps before storage
• Cover the spreader with a tarpaulin to protect it from sun bleaching and weather

While the spreader is out of use

Ficon also gives this advice for off-season storage:

• Disconnect the control unit and remove it from the vehicle. Store it in a cool, dry place, protected from heat and moisture
• Empty the hopper, remove all debris and clean it before storage
• Protect the hopper from strong heat during storage
• Keep the caps on the connectors when the cables are not connected. Ficon strongly recommends applying dielectric grease to the electrical connections regularly to prevent corrosion

Falköping: few moving parts and corrosion protection

The towed spreaders in the LB-1000 series and the T-12, T-15 and T-20 trailed spreaders from Falköping spread using an eccentric system with few moving parts, without chains or gears. For the spreader buckets, Falköping says that few moving parts mean very low maintenance costs.

The surface treatment varies. The C series disc spreaders, the S series spreader buckets, LB-1000 and T-12 to T-20 are all specified with zinc metallising, primer and 2-component topcoat. For LB-1000 and T-12 to T-20, Falköping also states that the structure is protected against corrosion with zinc metallising and galvanising. T-2.5, T-6 and T-7 have primer and 2-component topcoat as standard, and a zinc-metallised hopper is available as optional equipment on T-6 and T-7.

• Freezing — an electrically heated discharge table is available as optional equipment on LB-1000, T-12 to T-20, T-6 and T-7 and on the S series spreader buckets, but not on T-2.5
• Stones — the rubber support strip lets through stones up to 50 mm, and for LB-1000, Falköping states that the discharge system feeds out such stones without damaging the hopper
• Empty hopper — the C-06, C-1, C-1.5 and C-2 disc spreaders have parking legs for when the hopper is empty
• Calibration — the Panel PC control system for the disc spreaders is easily calibrated with a built-in tacho function

Parts and service

You can order parts for the spreaders via the spare parts page. Sigurd Stave Maskin AS has mobile service technicians in Oslo and Bergen, and you can reach the workshop during the day on +47 969 13 856.