Grading BX2350 Hyd. Angle Rear Blade

[actionaj]

I added a Hydraulic cylinder to my rear blade this fall. Now I am able to rotate it over 180 degrees with out getting out of the seat. Can't wait to try it out in the snow, which we haven't got any yet. I used a 3" bore 10" stroke cylinder I know this is a little to big of a cylinder but it was the closest I could find for the price ($70) and that is all I have invested in the project. I made a custom stroke limiter for the cyl. so it would be able stop and go over center and the blade would go in the other direction works great. Hope to have some action pictures with it in the snow soon.

 

[FSE]

Great looking job. Like the pictures. How are you controling it? Let us know how it works out.

 

[nh DRAGON]

Nice job I think that is the coolest thing and you will no doubt find that useful for years to come!

 

[radman1]

Wow, 3" cylinder on that blade is a big diameter. I don't think you will have any problems. The blade will turn regardless with that size of cylinder. If the blade won't turn, the tractor will -if nothing breaks. I do like the hydraulic angle, especially for removing snow.

 

[actionaj]

Radman1, Yeah the 3" bore is overkill but the price was right. I wanted to find a 2" bore or even a 2-1/2" with a 1" rod in the same configuration. But I couldn't justify the price. Rural King had this cyl. on the shelf and under $70. Your right it has more than enough power to bend things if you aren't careful.

 

[actionaj]

I finally got to try out my modified blade in the snow. The hydraulic angle really works great. I cleared nine driveways with it and hardly had to use the FEL. When plowing forward you can fine tune the angle to where the snow is sliding off of the blade the most effective. And then swing it 180 degrees and push with it. Adding this hydraulic cylinder to the blade has cut my plowing time in half. One problem though, is when looking behind all the time, (specially when all bundled up) my neck gets a little sore.

 

[harpoonalt]

Wow, That's a great idea! Maybe I lead a sheltered life, but I've never seen that done before. My blade is always on the wrong angle for what I want to do. Nice professional looking job!

 

[Bret Mc]

Hello,I am new to this site and since first seeing this set-up I have been set on doing the same thing to my back blade. I am in the process of buying a new B3030 with rear remotes added (after the sale of my B2150) and I was wondering how you set this up to over center and turn the blade around, and will it angle away from the tractor on the right side or just go straight across? Is there any check valve to hold it in place under load or is there a limit that the cylinder will take under load? That is one neat set-up man, here's to our sore necks!! Thanks, Bret

 

[npalen]

How do you get the cylinder to "go past center" when reversing the blade?

 

[npalen]

How do you get the cylinder to "go past center" when reversing the blade?

The reason I ask is that normally to fold anything beyond about 120 degrees requires an intermediate link between the cylinder and whatever's being rotated. The link requires some type of guiding means as it "wraps around the pivot".
Just curious how you're doing it.
Thanks
Nelson

 

[actionaj]

"Bret Mc" No I don't have any check valves or relief valve it is straight off the remote valve on the tractor. And as stated the cylinder is a little over sized and it can bend things if your not careful.

Bret & npalen; As for going over center it uses the momentum of the blade swinging to break it over the center point. When the cylinder is fully retracted quickly shift the valve in the other direction and the blade will keep going in that direction. At the fully retracted point I built in a little slop in the cyl. rod clevis. This allows about 1" of play on either side of the cylinders center line. So when the cylinder is retracting at speed the momentum of the blade will cause the cyl. to break over its center line. And by quickly extending the cyl. it will continue on in that direction. The external stroke limiter is how I fine tuned it. So that when the cyl. is fully retracted it is not pulling the crank arm tight.

I would like to post a video of it in action seeing it work is really cool. I have never posted a vid on here before but I will give it a try.

 

[npalen]

That makes sense to me now.
Good idea!
Nelson

 

[Bret Mc]

makes sense to me also, thanks,I look forward to the video, that is a very neat and clean looking fab job, just the way I like my stuff to look (and work) great job.