6-Bit Hydraulic Manifold and Its Use in Spreading Salt

Disclosed is a system for precisely controlling distribution of saline, which employs a 6-bit manifold employing 6 solenoid valves for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid therethrough. The manifold is in hydraulic fluid communication with motor valves. A mathematical formula or a lookup table determines the amount of saline distributed. The system is devoid of feedback. The 6-bit manifold can be employed on a salt spreader vehicle for controlling an improved flighted auger assembly for distributing granular salt from the rear of a salt spreader vehicle. The auger assembly has 3-stages of increasing diameter flights. The largest flight is at a discharge end of the auger assembly. A choke surrounds the ultimate auger flight at the auger assembly discharge end. The space between the choke and the ultimate flight is between about and ¼ inch.