Before any asphalt is applied, a short test strip may be applied on bare pavement to visually check for uniform aggregate coverage. If a test strip is to be applied, the spreader operator may disengage the truck hitch and have the truck move away from the spreader. This allows the spreader operator to test his equipment for a few feet without the truck being attached. There should be enough aggregate in the spreader to run perhaps a 50-foot test strip. Any gates not functioning properly should be corrected. Once the spreader gate settings are correct and the equipment is functioning properly, the test should be terminated.