Virnig’s SiteTote, is a two-piece salt storage and spreading system designed to keep material dry on-site and improve response times during winter weather. The system pairs weather-protected salt totes with a skid steer spreader attachment, allowing operators to switch from snow removal to salt application without relying on dedicated salt trucks.
Virnig Manufacturing, founded in 1989 and operating for more than 35 years, continues to expand its lineup of attachments for skid steers, mini excavators, and compact wheel loaders. The company offers a wide range of products, from buckets and brush cutters to snow and ice management equipment, all designed and manufactured in-house.
During a recent interview with Snow Plow News, Bryan Virnig emphasized the company’s commitment to engineering original solutions. Virnig does not rebrand or replicate existing equipment; instead, every attachment is developed internally. This philosophy led to the design of SiteTote, the company’s newest innovation for winter operations.
The SiteTote System
The SiteTote is a two-piece salt storage and spreading system designed to streamline material handling on snow and ice management sites. The system includes:
- The SiteTote Container:
A weather-protected tote used to store salt directly on-site. It keeps material dry and eliminates the need for exposed piles, tarps, and frequent salt deliveries during storms. - The SiteTote Spreader Attachment:
A skid steer attachment engineered to engage with the tote, lift it into spreading position, and distribute salt efficiently.
Once one tote is empty, the operator can retrieve another full SiteTote container staged on the property, reducing downtime and avoiding reliance on salt trucks that may face delays in severe weather.
Operational Advantages
According to Virnig, the SiteTote system offers several key benefits:
- Ensures dry, ready-to-use salt is available on-site.
- Allows the same operator performing snow removal to switch to spreading without additional equipment.
- Reduces or eliminates the need for dedicated salt trucks.
- Scales easily for small, medium, or large properties.
- Supports route efficiency by allowing totes to be staged at multiple nearby locations while using a single spreading attachment.
This configuration enhances response times during winter weather events and simplifies material logistics.
An Innovative Approach to Winter Operations
The SiteTote system is designed to address long-standing challenges in the snow and ice management industry, particularly material storage and access during active storms. By combining secure on-site storage with a versatile skid steer attachment, Virnig aims to provide contractors with a more flexible and efficient approach to salt deployment.
What the Numbers Say
According to cost analysis data comparing a truck with a salter versus a SiteTote spreader and tote system, the numbers are striking. Annual ownership cost of $18,300 for a truck, compared to just $4,900 for the SiteTote setup is a reduction of almost 75% in capital and operating expenses.
To see the full cost analysis breakdown, read Why the SiteTote System Outperforms Traditional Salt Trucks for Winter Maintenance
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