Safe solution for cycleways in winter

Covid-19 has had a profound impact on the way people live, work and travel, with a dramatic rise in the popularity of cycling. As a direct consequence, in July the Government launched Gear Change: a bold vision for cycling and walking. How can you ensure cycleways are a 365 day-a-year success story, rather than a summer sensation that thrives during the Covid pandemic and then peters out?

If you are planning on liquid de-icing your cycleways this year, VALE Engineering offers a high quality and robust Liquid De-icer/Snowbrush Mini-Tractor Combi that incorporates both TM400 liquid de-icing sprayer and front-mounted snowbrush.

VALE Engineering believes Liquid De-Icers are the best way to ensure cycleways are safe during winter months as, although the use of grit reduces ice, it introduces a hazardous surface to cycle on as residue grit is slippery. This reduces a cycle’s braking and steering capabilities, making gritting a health & safety nightmare. Rock salt can also damage sensitive structures.

VALE Engineering’s Liquid De-icer/Snowbrush Mini-Tractor Combi was designed specifically to work on cycleways, becoming the equipment of choice for a range of local authority clients including some major metropolitan districts and unitary authorities, as well as various retail parks and airports. Ongoing R&D ensures that VALE Engineering can also offer a selection of flexible solutions to meet new demands.

Combining tried and tested technology developed over 20 years, the Liquid De-icer/Snowbrush Mini-Tractor Combi is fully approved and road legal. The design incorporates both liquid de-icing sprayer and front-mounted snowbrush. Features include:

• Electrically controlled spraying nozzles including automatic stop/start and automatic sensors to control the application rate – adjusting the output dependant on the forward speed and turning the nozzles off when the tractor comes to a stop and instantly turning them on when moving away.
• Built-in suction fill device for ease of filling the liquid de-icer tank.
• Deep sump (not flat tank) ensures consistent application of liquid de-icer with no risk of air being sucked into the system.
• 400-litre tank as standard, allowing 22km of traditional cycleway to be treated at a precautionary rate of 15ml/m², with options to increase spray width to meet Gear Change aspirations.

VALE Engineering is a leading UK supplier of winter maintenance, weed control and chemical storage equipment. For more information, visit VALE Engineering’s new website www.valeuk.com email info@valeuk.com or telephone 01904 738533.