Adding Snow Plow- Switching Hydraulic Line Question?

[ldowney]

There is a difference in plows.

Look at my pics. ONLY the weight of the plow is on the ground. Dangling from a chain. That's how a chain lift plow works/floats.

With a rigid ssqa plow like you are thinking, the only way to get float, is to float the loader. That puts both the weight of the plow AND the loader arms, all on the plow.

Yes. You guys are correct. I wouldn't think it would put the total weight of the arms on the plow since the arms are still hinged to the tractor. I would think if the arms weigh 1,000 lbs, you would be putting 1/2 that weight on the plow in float mode. Would you agree with that estimate? Has anyone out there ever scaled the front arms without the bucket to know for sure?

 

[ldowney]

Perhaps you didn't explain it fully? Float puts the entire weight of the loader as well as whatever is attached into floating up and down with the ground independent of the weight of the tractor. Since the plow will move independently of the loader, the loader will drag on the ground when in float mode snowplowing. To snow plow in float mode would require an extra set of pucks to take the load of the loader.

Yeah, you're right Eric. I hadn't thought about it long enough I guess. I'm still not sure it would put 100% of the front arm weight onto the plow since the arms are hinged to the tractor which I would estimate supports about 50% of their weight. It would be awesome if someone from the forum has ever actually weighed the front arms on a scale without a bucket to see how much weight is exerted.

Thanks for your input.

 

[LD1]

Yes. You guys are correct. I wouldn't think it would put the total weight of the arms on the plow since the arms are still hinged to the tractor. I would think if the arms weigh 1,000 lbs, you would be putting 1/2 that weight on the plow in float mode. Would you agree with that estimate? Has anyone out there ever scaled the front arms without the bucket to know for sure?

Half is probably a fair estimate.

I have never used a front SSQA type rigid plow that needs to be floated. So I can only comment based on what others here have shared.

And the issue is the added weight to the plow, also reduces the weight over the front end. The combination makes it hard to steer the plow. Rather the plow tries to steer you.

And have yo u ever tried to use the loader going forward in float mode? The tractor tries to drive up over its own loader

 

[caddison]

I had a plow on my Dx33 and I installed a electric over hydraulic diverter valve in the curl circuit with quick disconnects on the front of the loader for the angle function. I installed a toggle switch to switch from curl to angle. It worked pretty slick. I sold the DX and just bought a 1025R but got the 54" blade with angle but I know I'll have to add a diverter valve for the 4 in 1 bucket.

 

[ldowney]

I had a plow on my Dx33 and I installed a electric over hydraulic diverter valve in the curl circuit with quick disconnects on the front of the loader for the angle function. I installed a toggle switch to switch from curl to angle. It worked pretty slick. I sold the DX and just bought a 1025R but got the 54" blade with angle but I know I'll have to add a diverter valve for the 4 in 1 bucket.

How hard is it to add the diverter valve? What do you see as the advantage of the diverter valve over just swapping the curl hydraulic lines out with the plow lines when plow is in use?

Thanks.

 

[LD1]

The diverter is pretty easy to install. But you have to know a little about hydraulic fittings and adapters. There is a link in my signature about installing mine.

The advantages are you can still use your curl. Curl cylinders "can" bleed off overtime. And in order to re-adjust, you would have to get off the tractor and swap lines back. Another benefit is you will already have the diverter and hydraulics installed if you ever decide to get a grapple, or anything else up front that requires another hydraulic function.