Abstract: A spreader is described, primarily for use in distributing sand and the like on ice and snow-covered sidewalks. The spreader has a frame supported on ground wheels and a sand hopper is provided on the frame. An auger is mounted at a lower end of the hopper in an opening in the hopper to control the flow of sand from the spreader. A driving wheel is operably coupled to the auger, and supported on the hopper for movement between an operative position in which the wheel is in peripheral driving engagement with one of the ground wheels and an inoperative position in which the driving wheel is clear of this ground wheel. In the operative position the auger is driven as the spreader moves along the ground to spread sand and in the inoperative position the driving wheel is disengaged from the ground wheel and the auger is stationary.