Snowbear TGS-325 User manual

Owner’s Manual
1|P a g e SnowBear
®
Tailgate Spreader (TGS-325)

Owner’s Manual
2|P a g e SnowBear
®
Tailgate Spreader (TGS-325)
Table of Contents
General Safety Precautions .................................................................................................................3
Personal Safety/Fire and Explosion/Cell Phones .................................................................................4
Spreader Parts List ..............................................................................................................................5
Assembly Tool List...............................................................................................................................6
SnowBear
®
Wireless Remote System ..................................................................................................7
Spreader Installation ............................................................................................................................8
OVERVIEW: ...............................................................................................................................8
INSTALLATION: .........................................................................................................................8
OPERATION:............................................................................................................................10
SPREAD WIDTH: .....................................................................................................................11
SPREADER LID INSTALLATION: ............................................................................................12
Accessories .......................................................................................................................................13
General Maintenance.........................................................................................................................14
Spreader Troubleshooting..................................................................................................................15
SnowBear
®
Warranty Information......................................................................................................16

Owner’s Manual
3|P a g e SnowBear
®
Tailgate Spreader (TGS-325)
General Safety Precautions
READ THE OWNER’S MANUAL CAREFULLY. Know your tailgate spreader. Learn its
applications and limitations. Improper installation and operation could cause personal injury
and/or equipment and property damage.
KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN AND PETS. Be sure bystanders, especially children and
pets are kept a safe distance from the tailgate spreader operating area.
DO NOT ABUSE THE SPREADER. Follow the guidelines set forth in this manual. Do not
force the tailgate spreader to do a job it was not designed for.
MAINTAIN THE SPREADER. Keep the spreader clean when the unit is not in use to avoid
corrosion and/or seizing of parts. Before servicing/working on the spreader, disconnect
power cord, secure all loose-fitting clothing, unrestrained long hair and wait for auger and
spinner to stop. Do not operate a spreader in need of maintenance.
INSPECT THE SPREADER BEFORE EACH USE. Check the alignment of all moving
parts, and check for any loose bolts that may affect the operation of the spreader system.
Before operating spreader, reassemble any parts or hardware removed for cleaning or
adjusting.
NEVER SIT IN, CLIMB OR RIDE ON THE SPREADER. Serious injury could occur.
ONLY USE SNOWBEAR
®
CERTIFIED PARTS AND ACCESSORIES. Consult the owner’s
manual for the recommended accessories and/or replacement parts. The use of improper
accessories and/or replacement parts may cause hazards and void applicable warranties.
ALWAYS VERIFY THAT THE HITCH PIN IS PROPERLY INSTALLED BEFORE MOVING.
If the spreader is incorrectly attached to the vehicle's receiver, the spreader could fall off
from the vehicle potentially harming bystanders and damaging your SnowBear
®
product, or
vehicle.
NEVER OVERLOAD YOUR VEHICLE OR SPREADER. Overloading could result in an
accident or damage. Do not exceed GVWR or GAWR ratings as found on the driver-side
door side or corner post of the vehicle. See Loading Section to determine maximum
volumes of spreading material.
DO NOT LEAVE UNUSED MATERIAL IN SPREADER HOPPER. Material can freeze
and/or solidify, causing unit to not work properly. Empty and clean after each use whenever
possible.

Owner’s Manual
4|P a g e SnowBear
®
Tailgate Spreader (TGS-325)
Personal Safety
Remove ignition key and put the vehicle in park or in gear to prevent others from starting
the vehicle during installation or service.
Wear only snug-fitting clothing while working on your vehicle or spreader. Do not wear
dangling jewelry or neckties and secure long hair.
Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from dust, dirt & debris from the spreader,
especially when in operation and close to spreader. Material is spread at significant velocity.
Fire and Explosion
GASOLINE IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE, VAPOURS ARE EXPLOSIVE. Never smoke while
working on vehicle. Keep all open flames and sources of ignition away from gasoline tank,
lines and containers. Wipe up any spilled gasoline immediately. Do not use gasoline to
clean parts. Store gasoline only in approved containers away from sources of heat or flame.
Ventilation
VEHICLE EXHAUST CONTAINS LETHAL FUMES. Breathing these fumes, even in low
concentrations, can cause illness or death. Never operate a vehicle or leave engine running
while performing spreader maintenance in an enclosed area without venting the exhaust to
the outside.
Cell Phones
A driver's first responsibility is the safe operation of the vehicle. The most important thing
you can do to prevent a crash is to avoid distractions and pay attention to the road. Wait
until it is safe to operate Mobile Communication Devices such as cell phones, text
messaging devices, pagers or two-way radios (ie. when vehicle is parked).

Owner’s Manual
5|P a g e SnowBear
®
Tailgate Spreader (TGS-325)
Spreader Parts List
Before you begin, please verify that all of the parts below have been included with your spreader.
Your spreader is packaged nearly complete in one box.
ITEM #1
PT # 324-223
TAILGATE SPREADER ASSEMBLY
(WITH 2 PRE-PAIRED WIRELESS
REMOTE CONTROLS)
(QTY 1)
ITEM #2
PT # 298-178 2" RECEIVER ASSEMBLY (QTY 1)
ITEM #3
PT # 250-761
5/8-11 X 3.50” HEX HEAD CAP
SCREW, 18-8 STAINLESS
(QTY 2)
ITEM #4
PT # 253-255
5/8-11 NYLOCK NUT, 18-8
STAINLESS (QTY 2)
ITEM #5
PT # 254-018
5/8” SAE FLAT WASHER, 18-8
STAINLESS (QTY 4)
ITEM #6
PT # 263-320
Ø5/8"x4.0" HITCH PIN w/ R-CLIP
(Not Shown) (QTY 1)
ITEM #7
PT # 324-239
RIGID PLASTIC LID ASSY KIT
(STRAP AND BRKTS NOT SHOWN)
(QTY 1)

Owner’s Manual
6|P a g e SnowBear
®
Tailgate Spreader (TGS-325)
Assembly tool list
Ratcheting Wrench
15/16" Socket, 1/2" Socket (For Deflector Adjustment)
15/16"Open Ended Wrench
9/64" Long Shank Allen Key wrench
(For Main Shaft Adjustment (if required))

7|P a g e
SnowBe
SnowBear
®
Wireless Remote System
The SnowBear
®
Tailgate Spreader should only be operated when the vehicle is running. Failure to
follow this instruction could result in the premature failure of your vehicles battery.
When th
e vehicle has been turned on,
'ON' button on the supplied key fob must be pressed to turn spread
must be pressed to turn the spreader off.
pressed.
The spreader has been supplied with two remote key fobs, and one remote receiver, factory
spreader unit. Both supplied key fobs are already paired specifically to the receiver, so there is no need to
perform any pairing with the system. Care has been taken when packaging the spreader unit to keep the
specific remotes together
with the properly paired receiver.
Spreader 'ON' toggle
Indicator Light
Key Fob Ring Hasp
Owner’s Manual
SnowBe
ar
®
Tailgate Spreader (TGS
Wireless Remote System
Tailgate Spreader should only be operated when the vehicle is running. Failure to
follow this instruction could result in the premature failure of your vehicles battery.
e vehicle has been turned on,
the engine is running,
and the headlights turned on,
'ON' button on the supplied key fob must be pressed to turn spread
er unit on. The Red 'OFF' button
must be pressed to turn the spreader off.
The Indicator Light will flash each time one of the buttons is
The spreader has been supplied with two remote key fobs, and one remote receiver, factory
spreader unit. Both supplied key fobs are already paired specifically to the receiver, so there is no need to
perform any pairing with the system. Care has been taken when packaging the spreader unit to keep the
with the properly paired receiver.
Spreader 'OFF' toggle
Owner’s Manual
Tailgate Spreader (TGS
-325)
Wireless Remote System
Tailgate Spreader should only be operated when the vehicle is running. Failure to
and the headlights turned on,
the Green
er unit on. The Red 'OFF' button
The Indicator Light will flash each time one of the buttons is
The spreader has been supplied with two remote key fobs, and one remote receiver, factory
installed in the
spreader unit. Both supplied key fobs are already paired specifically to the receiver, so there is no need to
perform any pairing with the system. Care has been taken when packaging the spreader unit to keep the
Spreader 'OFF' toggle

Owner’s Manual
8|P a g e SnowBear
®
Tailgate Spreader (TGS-325)
Spreader Installation
OVERVIEW:
The SnowBear
®
Tailgate Spreader uses a standard 2" trailer receiver on your vehicle, and standard 4-
pin trailer connector for the electrical harness. Each of these must be already installed on your vehicle
to use the spreader.
INSTALLATION:
The SnowBear
®
Tailgate Spreader comes factory pre-assembled, except for the 2" Receiver Assembly and
associated mounting hardware (all included).
To install the 2" Receiver Assembly to the Spreader Assembly, select the optimal height for your application.
The Spreader has several vertical mounting height positions that will move the Spreader assembly up or down
2.5" per position. This optimal height will vary with the height of the vehicle's hitch, and the desired
maximum/minimum material spread desired for the application. The higher the Spreader assembly, the
greater the material spread diameter.
Testing was performed at approximately 1 1/2' (18") from the ground to spinner plate of the Spreader. This
yielded an approximate 25-30' spread diameter.
VERTICAL HEIGHT
POSITIONS (2.5"/EA)
2" RECEIVER ASSEMBLY

9|P a g e
SnowBe
INSTALL 5/8-11x3.50” HEX BOLT
AND WASHER ON RECEIVER
ASSEMBLY SIDE. WASHER AND
NUT ON VERTICAL POST SIDE.
Once your desired height is determined, install the two 5/8
Assembly bracket side, and install washer and 5/8
movement of the spreader assembly on the receiver assembly.
The spreader is r
eady to install into your vehicle
Hold the
spreader assembly up to the 2” hitch receiver, and slide in. There are th
receiver assembly to allow for horizontal
2” from another. When the spreader assembly is slid into the hitch receiver, look to see when one of the
assembly
’s holes aligns with the hitch receiver, and install the supplied hitch pin. Insert fully, and install the
supplied r-clip
in the hitch pin hole to secure the assembly.
INSTALL SPREADER ASSEMBLY 2”
RECEIVER INTO VEHICLE'S 2”
HITCH RECEIVER. ALIGN ONE
HORIZONTAL DEPTH
ADJUSTMENT
HOLE.
R
-
CLIP
HITCH PIN
4
5
2
3
6
Owner’s Manual
SnowBe
ar
®
Tailgate Spreader (TGS
Once your desired height is determined, install the two 5/8
-
11x3.50” hex bolts and washers on the 2” Receiver
Assembly bracket side, and install washer and 5/8
-11 lock nut on vertical post side.
Tighten until there is no
movement of the spreader assembly on the receiver assembly.
eady to install into your vehicle
's hitch receiver.
spreader assembly up to the 2” hitch receiver, and slide in. There are th
ree holes in the spreader’s 2”
receiver assembly to allow for horizontal
depth adjustment in the vehicle’s
hitch receiver. Each hole is spaced
2” from another. When the spreader assembly is slid into the hitch receiver, look to see when one of the
’s holes aligns with the hitch receiver, and install the supplied hitch pin. Insert fully, and install the
in the hitch pin hole to secure the assembly.
INSTALL SPREADER ASSEMBLY 2”
ADJUSTMENT
ONCE DESIRED HOLE IS ALIGNED,
INSTALL SUPPLIED HITCH PIN AND
R
-
CLIP TO SECURE ASSEMBLY.
Owner’s Manual
Tailgate Spreader (TGS
-325)
11x3.50” hex bolts and washers on the 2” Receiver
Tighten until there is no
ree holes in the spreader’s 2”
hitch receiver. Each hole is spaced
2” from another. When the spreader assembly is slid into the hitch receiver, look to see when one of the
’s holes aligns with the hitch receiver, and install the supplied hitch pin. Insert fully, and install the
ONCE DESIRED HOLE IS ALIGNED,
INSTALL SUPPLIED HITCH PIN AND
CLIP TO SECURE ASSEMBLY.

Owner’s Manual
10 |P a g e SnowBear
®
Tailgate Spreader (TGS-325)
The 4-pin connector can now be plugged into the vehicle's 4-pin socket (if vehicle has a 7 or 9-pin connector,
then a suitable adaptor needs to be purchased). Spreader is now ready to operate.
OPERATION:
The SnowBear
®
Tailgate Spreader has two speeds (High/Low) that can be manually adjusted on the spreader
assembly to adjust the material spread diameter. The toggle switch is located above where the 4-pin plug
cord exits the spreader assembly, and indicated by a 'H' for High and 'L' for Low (see figure below).
At the High setting, the approximate maximum material dispersion is 25-30’ [7.6-9.2m]. At the Low setting, the
approximate material dispersion is 12-15' [3.7-4.6m]. Again, this spread diameter will vary on the mounting
height of the spreader assembly in relation to the ground.
The toggle can be switched when the spreader is on or off, but for safety, it is recommended that it only be
switched when the unit is off.
CAUTION: If the spreader is toggled while running, please be aware of the spinner assembly. It can
grab on to loose clothing and potentially cause injury.
The SnowBear
®
Tailgate Spreader is now ready to fill with material and be put to use.
HIGH (H) / LOW (L)
TOGGLE SWITCH
4
-
PIN PLUG CORD
4-PIN CONNECTOR
AND HARNESS

Owner’s Manual
11 |P a g e SnowBear
®
Tailgate Spreader (TGS-325)
The spreader hopper is designed to hold approximately 250lbs [115kg] of bagged rock salt or ice melt material
(~4 to 5 - 55lb [25kg] bags)
Once desired amount of material is poured in, and the spinner speed is set, the spreader is ready to run.
Before driving the vehicle, make sure vehicle lights are turned on, and make sure the spreader system is
working by pushing the 'ON' button on the remote key fob. If spinning is going, and material is flowing, system
is ready to spread. Push the 'OFF' button to stop the spreader. Begin driving the vehicle, and when you're in
the desired area to spread the material, push the 'ON' button and continue until the required area is covered,
then push 'OFF' to stop spreading.
SPREAD WIDTH
If the material spread is too wide, the dispersion can be narrowed by the adjustable deflector on the spreader
assembly. Loosen the 2 x 3/8" nuts and move the deflector in or out to achieve desired dispersion width.
SPREADER HOPPER
SPREADER
DEFLECTOR
IN
-
NARROW SPREAD
OUT
-
WIDE SPREAD

Owner’s Manual
12 |P a g e SnowBear
®
Tailgate Spreader (TGS-325)
SPREADER LID INSTALLATION
The SnowBear
®
Tailgate Spreader comes standard with a rigid plastic lid. The lid is affixed to the spreader
hopper by two ball-loop stretch cords that are installed on the lid, and latched to the pre-installed catch
brackets.
Stretch the ball-loop cord and snap under the catch bracket and release. To remove the lid, pull on the stretch
cord and out from under the catch bracket.
SPREADER LID
CATCH
BRACKET
BALL-LOOP
STRETCH CORD
7

Owner’s Manual
13 |P a g e SnowBear
®
Tailgate Spreader (TGS-325)
Accessories
PT # 324-234
HOPPER MOUNTED BAG CUTTER KIT
-Simple field installed assembly
-Sharp 'teeth' to cut salt/ice melt bags
-Stainless steel for corrosion resistance
PT # 324-235
FLOW STOP ASSEMBLY
-Installs around auger to manually stop
material from slowly escaping in transit
-Lever to adjust flow coming from auger
-Stainless steel for corrosion resistance
PT # 324-236
MATERIAL AGITATOR
-Simple field installed assembly
-Formed prongs break up salt/ice melt
material so auger can process
-Stainless steel for corrosion resistance

Owner’s Manual
14 |P a g e SnowBear
®
Tailgate Spreader (TGS-325)
General Maintenance
The SnowBear
®
Tailgate Spreader is generally maintenance free, but there are a few recommendations to
help ensure many seasons of trouble-free operation.
WARNING: Never remove the spreader with material in the hopper. Always empty before removing.
CAUTION:
•Disconnect electric power at spreader electrical harness plug connection before servicing or
performing maintenance.
•When replacing parts, use only original manufacturer's parts. Failure to do so will void warranty.
•Remote receiver is a solid-state electronic unit and is not serviceable. Any attempt to service will
void warranty.
•There are no serviceable parts in the motor assembly. Any attempt to service will void warranty.
•If pressure washing spreader motor/electrical enclosure area, stay at least 48" [1.2m] away and
avoid direct spray on the openings to avoid excessive water intrusion.
•During removal or mounting, securely grip spreader to avoid dropping.
AFTER EACH USE
•Do not leave unused material in the hopper. Material can freeze or solidify, causing unit to not work
properly. Empty and clean after each use.
•Wash out hopper & rinse off all external surfaces, especially spinner and deflector areas.
•Apply dielectric grease on 4-pin connector plugs to prevent corrosion.
AT THE END OF EACH SEASON OR AFTER EXTENDED STORAGE
•Wash out hopper & rinse off all external surfaces.
•Apply dielectric grease on 4-pin connector plugs to prevent corrosion.
•Paint any bare, non-stainless steel, metal surfaces to prevent corrosion.
STORAGE
•Store the spreader in a clean, dry location and preferably away from direct sunlight.

Owner’s Manual
15 |P a g e SnowBear
®
Tailgate Spreader (TGS-325)
Tailgate Spreader Troubleshooting
PROBLEM CAUSES HOW TO CORRECT
Spreader does not
run
1. Electrical connection
2. Bad motor
3. Loose wire connection to
switch/receiver
4. Corrosion
5. Fuse blown
6. Check battery
7. Jammed auger
8. Headlights on vehicle not turned on
(wiring harness typically part of light
circuit)
1. Check 4-pin plug and make sure it
is securely plugged in
2. Contact distributor for
replacement
3. Open electrical enclosure &
inspect switch and receiver
connections, fix where needed
4. Check all electrical connections
for corrosion, fix if necessary
5. Locate blown fuse and replace
6. Load test battery. Recharge
vehicle's battery if required
7. Unplug spreader and remove jam.
If auger damaged, fix or replace
8. Turn vehicle headlights on
Material will not flow
1. Spreader hopper is empty
2. Material has solidified, stuck to wall,
material obstruction
3. Auger is spinning in reverse
4. Auger broke
1. Refill spreader hopper with desired
material
2. With spreader unplugged, use
screwdriver or rigid rod to break-
up material until proper
consistency
3. Change polarity of motor
4. Auger needs to be replaced
Spreader does not
respond to key fob
1. Plug not secure
2. No vehicle power to connector
3. Key fob battery low
4. Range issue
5. Control connection
6. Headlights on vehicle not turned on
1. Fully seat 4-pin connector plug
2. Ensure vehicle is running and
power is going to plug connector
3. Replace battery
4. Try key fob at close range to
spreader, if unit works, replace
battery. If not, check electrical
connections
5. Remove electrical cover and check
all connections
6. Turn vehicle headlights on

Owner’s Manual
16 |P a g e SnowBear
®
Tailgate Spreader (TGS-325)
SnowBear
®
Warranty Information
Please see the latest version of The SnowBear®
Tailgate Spreader warranty can be found online at:
http://www.snowbear.com/UserContent/documents/
warranty.pdf
Alternatively, please call our customer service hotline
at [phone].