Ford 1700 4x4 Plow setup

[tomf]

IMO the problem with a rigidly mounted system is that when you angle the blade one side of the will be higher and the other lower. Thus one side will dig into the ground unless there is some ability for the blade to independently rotate somewhat around the axis that runs through the tractor from front to back. When I used my FEL float position the blade had a tendency to ride up the snow. If I did not use float the blade wanted to dig into the gravel due to the oscillating surface of the ground. It was a never-ending battle to keep the loader height in the perfect position

I ended up switching to 7' Western mounted on my FEL using a chain for float. I like it much better.

I initially ran with chains on the rear but the front end would want to slide when I made a turn even in 4x4. This year I added front chains with the rear chains and can plow in 2x4 with no slipping in turns.

Here are pictures of my two plows

 

[79ford1700]

Thanks tomf for the pictures and insight on the rigid setup. I had my doubts about it but thought maybe it would work. I like the way you setup the plow in your second picture. I really have a problem with just pinning a plow in the bucket like most people do because of how far out it hangs. Don't like the way it looks and doesn't seem like it would work as well and taking the bucket off and making your own mount. I like how you tucked the plow carriage back behind your 2x2 square tubing to save on some length. I do not have remote hyraulics so i will have to be using my loader curl lines with quick couplers to obtain the power angle on the plow. Which makes me wonder how I am going to mount the top of my framework. As where you mounted to your curl cylinders I will have nothing to mount to unless I use the top link idea from the 2x2 to the crossmember between my loader arms just to keep the framework from spinning on the pins. If you could maybe get a couple more detailed pictures of your setup that would be awesome, I would really like to see it a little bit more close up. Thanks again. Will be starting my build after the holiday rush is all over and I have filled my deer tag!

 

[tomf]

Here's some pictures. As you can see I don't have quick attach capability. If you do, make use of it on this project. I added an extra hydraulic valve using power beyond from the loader valve for angling. There was something about the design of my loader valve that prevented the curl circuit from holding the angled blade in position. I forget exactly why. Something to do with it being a regen circuit. I recommend you incorporate a relief/cushion valve into you system.