Ariens MeltBuddy Spot Spreader

Must use a fine texture salt, a course salt is too big. Easy to install and use.

Did you hear the story of the MeltBuddy? What a great way to promote innovation among our youth!

In 2007 two young inventors, Matt and Sam, needed an invention for a school project competition and were inspired by the seemingly endless snowfall Iowa received that same winter.

They developed the idea of attaching a salt spreader to a snow thrower to help people save time clearing driveways.

The concept made it to the state competition, and Dan Ariens soon contacted the boys about their invention.

To ensure the boys received compensation for their idea Ariens Company helped them file a U.S. patent application, which eventually resulted in the MeltBuddy!

Did you hear the story of the MeltBuddy? What a great way to promote innovation among our youth!

In 2007 two young inventors, Matt and Sam, needed an invention for a school project competition and were inspired by the seemingly endless snowfall Iowa received that same winter.

They developed the idea of attaching a salt spreader to a snow thrower to help people save time clearing driveways.

The concept made it to the state competition, and Dan Ariens soon contacted the boys about... more

THANK YOU DAN ARIENS.

In the Meltbuddy you accomplished two things at once: 1 - you gave owners of Ariens snowblowers a practical option for their blowers to accomplish a necessary task.

As the owner of an old but faithful Ariens snowblower (I'm not even sure, but I'm betting the unit is at LEAST 20 years old) here is something I can retrofit to my unit to speed up my work.

2 - you ensured that the young men who invented the product are compensated for their great work rather than stealing their idea and claiming it for your own.

There are far too many business men today who would look to make a fast buck at someone else's expense. Your integrity in the matter reflects well on you and your company.

As a fellow resident of Wisconsin, thank you for doing the right thing the right way.

THANK YOU DAN ARIENS.

In the Meltbuddy you accomplished two things at once: 1 - you gave owners of Ariens snowblowers a practical option for their blowers to accomplish a necessary task.

As the owner of an old but faithful Ariens snowblower (I'm not even sure, but I'm betting the unit is at LEAST 20 years old) here is something I can retrofit to my unit to speed up my work.

2 - you ensured that the young men who invented the product are compensated for their great work rather... more

I bought the Ariens Meltbuddy right after I saw it on my computer.

The MeltBuddy took about 5 minutes to install.

I give thumbs-up for the two boys who invented it .

Works great. It can only be so big but what do you expect for $40. I just keep a funnel refill bottle I DIYed. Great company. It shows not all businesses and 1%ers are only about themselves. It's the right way to do business and its sadly dying. Hell I might check their stock out, this business should go the distance.

With this weekend snow storm I got to try out my new snow blower and the MeltBuddy.

Both worked great- the MeltBuddy took about 5 minutes to install.

FOUR thumbs up for the two boys who invented the unit!

I bought this from SBD when it first came out and it one of the simplest, yet most useful accessories there is (along with the heated hand grips I purchased for my Ariens 24" Deluxe).

If you have a pair of pliers and can read the simple installation instructions, then you'll be ready to use this in 10 minutes. And most importantly, it does a great job. I use Calcium Chloride granules and I don't have any problems with clogs or poor distribution on the sidewalk or dirveway.

The lid stays on fairly well, but it may come off it gets bounced around too much so I simply put a small piano hinge on the side to attach the lid to the hopper and the problem went away.

What I also appreciate is the honest and fair way Ariens arranged to market this item from the high school kids who designed it that makes this even more of a stand-out item.

I bought this from SBD when it first came out and it one of the simplest, yet most useful accessories there is (along with the heated hand grips I purchased for my Ariens 24" Deluxe).

If you have a pair of pliers and can read the simple installation instructions, then you'll be ready to use this in 10 minutes. And most importantly, it does a great job. I use Calcium Chloride granules and I don't have any problems with clogs or poor distribution on the sidewalk or dirveway.

The... more

Overall the MeltBuddy is a really nice gadget to have. I wish it held more salt, but I understand why it can’t, as the extra weight would cause the front of my snow blower to lift up. Installation was not easy. I have an Ariens Deluxe Sno-Thro and was able to screw into the handlebar base without using the included clamp device. That part was easy.

But attaching the release cable to the handle bar grip and then stretching it into place proved no easy feat because the auger level assembly was in the way. I could only assume that the factory installed my similar wheel-lock grip on the other handle –before they bolted on the controls/lever assembly. I wasn’t about to start taking apart all that. My solution was to run the base of the cable upwards, and route the cable through and under the auger lever. Luckily this doesn’t obstruct the auger lever movement, or pinch the cable.

So everything worked OK. One other bummer was that my installation kit was one bolt short. I had to go buy one. Like others I agree that a rubber device under the main clamping device would prove much better than sand paper. I have similar rubber-based clamps on my boat and they hold in place really well. I’m very surprised that this was not considered into the design.

Overall the MeltBuddy is a really nice gadget to have. I wish it held more salt, but I understand why it can’t, as the extra weight would cause the front of my snow blower to lift up. Installation was not easy. I have an Ariens Deluxe Sno-Thro and was able to screw into the handlebar base without using the included clamp device. That part was easy.

But attaching the release cable to the handle bar grip and then stretching it into place proved no easy feat because the auger level assembly... more

I mounted it to a Murray 24 inch snow blower and it works well, but doesn't hold much salt.

I need to refill before finishing the job, but it would work very well for someone with an average size driveway.

Wow, just picked up one of these cool tools.

I had to test it out right away, even though it hasn't snowed here yet.

Took about 5 minutes to install. Fired up my 20 year old perfectly running Ariens Sno-Thrower and loaded my MeltBuddy with salt. Pulled the trigger and watched the smooth spread of salt on my sidewalk.

Can't wait to use it on ice. Two birds with one stone. Will save me time from having to blow snow and then go back and salt the icy spots.

Kudos to the kids and great job by Ariens to produce this innovative product. Leave it to the King of Snow!

Wow, just picked up one of these cool tools.

I had to test it out right away, even though it hasn't snowed here yet.

Took about 5 minutes to install. Fired up my 20 year old perfectly running Ariens Sno-Thrower and loaded my MeltBuddy with salt. Pulled the trigger and watched the smooth spread of salt on my sidewalk.

Can't wait to use it on ice. Two birds with one stone. Will save me time from having to blow snow and then go back and salt the icy spots.

Kudos to the kids and... more

Great Product, quick ship time, easy to install, now just waiting for the snow, to test it out.