Snow Plow Build

[George2615]

Started my snow plow build today. Had an old 7'6" Diamond snow plow just hanging around taking up space so figured I'd put it to use on the tractor. Received a Quick Attach plate today ordered from Titan Attachments. I got the heavy duty plate 1/2" thick. Started tacking it to the plow A-frame this afternoon. Going to weld some angle from top of A-frame to top of QA plate. Plow shoes and guide flags on order. Have a new D.A. cylinder, hoses, and fittings. Still have to locate a crossover relief to work with a D.A. cylinder. The cylinder from Tractor Supply has an 8" stroke which gives about a 25 degree angle each way.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Does the plow hit the QA plate at full angle? Good looking project, can't wait to see the videos of it in action.

 

[nybirdman]

So with this set-up you will "float"the FEL? You will have the weight of the plow and FEL.....the plus side is that you will have down pressure.
I set mine up to float just the plow,with a chain lift.Both work.

 

[DK35vince]

So with this set-up you will "float"the FEL? You will have the weight of the plow and FEL.....the plus side is that you will have down pressure.
I set mine up to float just the plow,with a chain lift.Both work.

My setup is similar to the one in the photos and I do not float the FEL.
Floating the FEL does not work for me. Puts why to much weight on the plow making it difficult to steer.
I simply set my plow on the ground, bump up on the loader joystick so much of the loaders weight is off the snow plow and go.
My plow still follows uneven ground just fine like this without floating the FEL

 

[George2615]

So with this set-up you will "float"the FEL? You will have the weight of the plow and FEL.....the plus side is that you will have down pressure.
I set mine up to float just the plow,with a chain lift.Both work.

I will have to see what works best (float or no float like Vince does).

Does the plow hit the QA plate at full angle? Good looking project, can't wait to see the videos of it in action.

No, the plow does not hit the QA. The cylinder I bought has an 8" stroke which gives about a 25 degree angle each way. A longer stroke cylinder would give more angle but would have required a lot of modification to the plow frame. With the 8" cyl. I was able to use the existing plow cyl. mount holes.

Finished up the additional top brackets and welding earlier today. Hooked up to tractor for test run and works fine. Took it back apart and just got it primed. Will spray on some paint tomorrow. Pics to follow. Monday I have to check a couple of places for a crossover relief. Surplus Center has them for about $70. but would like to get locally if possible. I checked TSC when I bought some steel, hoses, fittings etc. but they didn't have them. Whole setup weighs about 700 lb.

 

[Ford850]

If you only have to plow flat/level areas, you can get by without the floating blade. If you have humps, rolling areas, or hills, then the independently floating blade is mush easier to use.

 

[George2615]

Finished up the plow. Only things I have to get are the cushion relief valve and plow shoes. Going to check local shops tomorrow for them. If not, will order. Paint was still wet in pics. Put it back in garage with salamander heating it up to dry. Outside temp. only 45 deg F. now, was 36 this AM. Pics are out of order.

 

[nybirdman]

Looks good,sure to get a lot of use in Central Square!

 

[George2615]

Looks good,sure to get a lot of use in Central Square!

Yes it will. As you must know, we average between 140-160" per season. Between the plow, a 7'6" snow push blade, and the bucket I should have it covered.

 

[5030]

I'v never seen a hydraulically angled plow with one cylinder. Is that normal?

 

[George2615]

I'v never seen a hydraulically angled plow with one cylinder. Is that normal?

I've seen other tractor plows built this way. The original cylinders (2) from the old plow were rusted out and trashed. I'll see how it works this winter. If I have problems I can always buy and install 2 cylinders since I didn't cut off the mounts on the A frame for them.

 

[5030]

I would think that the shock load on one cylinder could cause it to fail.... you know, hidden objects in the snow.....

Bn considering building one for my 100 horse Kubota but would use double cylinders.

 

[George2615]

I would think that the shock load on one cylinder could cause it to fail.... you know, hidden objects in the snow.....

Bn considering building one for my 100 horse Kubota but would use double cylinders.

I'm going to check local shops tomorrow for a cushion (pressure) relief valve. If I can't locate one locally I'll order one. It works the same on one or two cylinders to bypass the fluid, if you hit something solid, to the other port on a DA cyl. or other piston on a dual cyl. setup. You'll need one for a 2 cyl. plow setup also.

QuickAttach and HLA make and sell single cylinder SS snow plow attachments.

 

[Underdog57]

Nice job George!! My back blade only has 1 cylinder for angling and it takes a lot of shock, I think you'll be OK with it if you don't hit anything too hard!! :thumbsup:

 

[ray66v]

I tried building mine on a rigid frame like that.

I quickly discovered, it needed the ability to float, and the ability for it to rotate a few degrees side to side, to adjust for changes in the grade.

Otherwise, it has the potential to put lot of strain on the loader frame.

Keep in mind, you can't use the float mode on the loader. It will put the loader arms on the ground.

 

[George2615]

Nice job George!! My back blade only has 1 cylinder for angling and it takes a lot of shock, I think you'll be OK with it if you don't hit anything too hard!! :thumbsup:

I know I'm careful plowing (over 35 years experience) but for under a hundred bucks I'll install the crossover relief.

I tried building mine on a rigid frame like that.

I quickly discovered, it needed the ability to float, and the ability for it to rotate a few degrees side to side, to adjust for changes in the grade.

Otherwise, it has the potential to put lot of strain on the loader frame.

Keep in mind, you can't use the float mode on the loader. It will put the loader arms on the ground.

When I'm done the plow blade will have 2 shoes and the back of the A frame will have 2 shoes so 4 shoes total. I just have to make sure the 4 shoes are in contact with the ground. As long as the A frame is level the plow can angle left or right without digging in. I'll probably not use float mode and keep the blade an inch off the ground to keep the extra weight on the front steer tires.

 

[Fallon]

I'm looking at building one as well here eventually. A pair of single acting cylinders will have the same volume & move nicely when a crossover valve pops. A double action cylinder has different volumes at each end. In theory it won't collapse if you removed the internal seals completely, so a crossover valve won't help there.

My potential problem with 2 single acting cylinders will be regen for the L/R action on the loader stick. Would need to plumb in a new valve rather than the cheaper easier diverter or attach to a spare port on the rear.

 

[Ford850]

No float, no rotating/articulating blade, and no hinged brake-away blade. I don't mean this as critical, but be careful. Even with those three features if not careful mine adds a lot of stress to my FEL arms and frame. Maybe I like to drive too fast.
I like the bright yellow. Mine is black, and when clearing the drive entrance at the road (it's a hidden drive), it makes me nervous to have the blade out there too far.

 

[kennyd]

No float, no rotating/articulating blade, and no hinged brake-away blade. I don't mean this as critical, but be careful. Even with those three features if not careful mine adds a lot of stress to my FEL arms and frame. Maybe I like to drive too fast.
I like the bright yellow. Mine is black, and when clearing the drive entrance at the road (it's a hidden drive), it makes me nervous to have the blade out there too far.

The cutting edge trips on this style blade rather than the whole blade.

 

[LD1]

A crossover valve wont work with a DA cylinder. Differing amounts of fluid.

When trying to collapse the cylinder, it will try to bypass MORE fluid to the rod side than it can hold. Since hydraulic oil wont compress, its as good as not having a crossover valve at all.

When trying to force it to extend, you have to create ALOT of vacuum around the rod seal, will likely suck in contaminates and dirt/water and have limited effect on acting as a cushion.

Not sure what you paid for the DA cylinder, but you can get a PAIR of 1.5x10 SA cylinders for ~$70 delivered. Then you KNOW the crossover protection will work perfectly.