Back blade build started

[camshawn]

Hello all:
I have been working on a new back blade for our new tractor for the last few weeks as time permits.
I now have most of the steel cut and drilled as needed. I have 2 pieces to take to work to get broke and several small pieces to still acquire.
I still have to source the blade itself and a cutting edge.
Cam

 

[camshawn]

some more pictures.
Cam

 

[Tor Arne]

Looks like it will hold to a tractor twice as big as the photo. Should be fun to see how you would do it since I'm working on upgrading one myself. Wish you good luck

 

[Agent Blue]

What is the four post lift under the tractor ? Factory or garage fabricated ? Looks like a compact design made for tractors and equipment.
Reference the rear blade. Looks like a lot of planning and hours of building. I bought a used model ( because they are cheap and available ) and sold one I got for free. A MIG welder and a Ellis bandsaw can occupy me for days. Just " fun " work.

 

[camshawn]

Blade work continues, gathering parts from the plasma table at work, measuring and tacking. No pictures today. I was hurt last year so I have spent lots of time planning and this project was a good reason to upgrade my welder and purchase a plasma cutter ( and Christmas is coming). The hoist in the background is an old 4 post drive on one, 2 18" platforms that you drive the truck onto. I built 3 plywood boxes to fill in the hole when the platforms are down.
Cam

 

[camshawn]

Work continues as time permits (having a job does get in the way).
I have tacked up things as you can see in order to measure and cut the next pieces. I have drilled and tapped holes for the pivot shaft covers and positioned the top pivot bracket for measuring the mounting pieces.
Cam

 

[camshawn]

I got back at the back blade this morning for a few hours. The mounting for the top pivot pin is now complete. The 3 pt mounting brackets are done as well. Just need to add a couple of gussets to keep the top link and upper pivot bracket where I have put them. I have a bunch of pieces laid out to cut tomorrow. The new wire feed welder (Thermalarc fabricator 211i) is working great and I am getting better with each weld.
Cam

 

[camshawn]

update, Back blade build started

Here are a couple of more pictures, Work is slowly progressing.
The blade is to be rolled tomorrow.

 

[Arc weld]

Looks good! With a little more practice, you won't need to do much grinding at all. I think the least of amount grinding looks the best and also allows for the best paint job.

 

[camshawn]

Backblade is on a delay code today. I went to pick up my blade that was being rolled at a local shop. There were 2 pieces in a pile, one 12 inches wide rolled into a 3/4 pipe section and beside it was it's big brother, a 24" snowplow blade rolled the same way. Someone did not get the concept of a snowplow.
Cam

 

[Chilly807]

That's going to be one seriously heavy duty blade.. nice having the tools to work with, I have some envy issues over the plasma cutter.

What thickness did you go with for the mouldboard? I've got one that's 5/16" and it's not enough to dig well with my Kubota. Too much chatter on hard surfaces like a compacted gravel driveway. 3/8" would be better, and 1/2" wouldn't be out of the question. I see you're using the hydraulic cylinder for offset, are there plans to make the blade angle hydraulic as well?

I had a few issues when I built my power angle for the blade. It probably should have a crossover relief between the two sides of the cylinder, but that hasn't happened yet and probably won't at this stage. I haven't blown anything apart yet, it gets used mostly for snow.

Nice build!

Sean

 

[camshawn]

I am using 1/4" for the Mould board welded to a 4" channel with some ribs to reinforce it.
I think that this will be strong enough or it will break and I will have to change it. I have found with my other blade that the chattering goes away with more weight or by changing the cutting angle via the top link.
The hydraulic offset is primarily for moving snow off the driveway to the downhill side for those winters where we get lots of snow. I am not going add hydraulic angle at this time but one never knows about the future. I only have two extra hydraulic valves at this time that I use for tilt and toplink.

Today it warmed up enough to work in the shop. The mouldboard and cutting edge were cut to length and some details welded up. The layout for the cutting edge bolts is done and the drill press moved to allow the holes to be drilled.
Cam

 

[oosik]

Brother - that is one fine looking blade. I don't remember ever seeing one that heavy duty and I concur with all - weight is a major factor in the successful operation of a rear blade. Cam, do you have an estimate of the final weight of the entire unit???

 

[camshawn]

I would guess about 500 to 600 lbs. I can just lift each of the 4 component pieces although every bracket and brace adds up. If it chatters like the blade for my small tractor, I will strap a large rock on or some other ballast.
Cam

 

[oosik]

Yes, I have a square cast block of concrete - 400lb - that I can easily set on any of my "earth disturbing" implements. This really cuts down on the chatter and gets on with the program.

 

[camshawn]

Back blade build pictures

Some pictures of the Back blade on the tractor. Still work to do. The mouldboard and cutting edge are vice gripped on I order to see where to mount the mouldboard ( and to take some pictures for all of you).
Cam

Pictures to follow.

Putting it all together I have found several things that may need modification or correction. The plate that I used for the "sector" pulled a little when I welded it and should be corrected. It is a little light for what I am asking of it so it may need some bracing on the bottom side to stop the flexing that is happening.
I was going to paint everything but now will wait until the testing and modifying is done.

Cam

 

[Tor Arne]

Sweet. The back blade is elegant. You will get much enjoyment from it. I would like to finish my but there is snow on the ground and cold and I have no room to work inside so it will have to wait until spring.

 

[JKR]

Nice work. I like to do project like that my self if I have the time.

 

[camshawn]

We had 4 1/2 inches of snow yesterday so finishing the back blade to the testing point was on the agenda for this morning. Last night I trimmed the rib ends to length and started tacking the ribs and mounts to the mouldboard. I finished this to a point this morning ( ran out of gas for the mig). I used some rod to weld a few more things and then I was ready for final assembly. I will have to revisit the mouldboard after getting more gas.

Testing went well, not much chatter from the blade, nothing broke or seemed to be flexing. I set a fairly shallow angel for the blade and found that the snow did not roll off the end as well as I expected. I will try more angle.
Once I get some more gas and finish up welding, it will be off to paint and hydraulic hoses for the offset cylinder.
Cam

 

[Sfrankland]

Awesome looking blade. Some of your problem with the snow not rolling right maybe because the blade is not painted. The first blade I built I had the same problems. Coat of good metal paint made a world of difference.