New project: Front Snow Plow

[Ford850]

I'm not sure if this is an option for your mount, but if you can, let it float. Maybe 2 pins in the lower mount and a chain or flex link in the top. that would allow you to raise the FEL slightly putting it's weight on the front of the tractor, while the blade floated on the ground.

 

[SkunkWerX]

I'm not sure if this is an option for your mount, but if you can, let it float. Maybe 2 pins in the lower mount and a chain or flex link in the top. that would allow you to raise the FEL slightly putting it's weight on the front of the tractor, while the blade floated on the ground.

Ford850,
Thanks, yes, you have a very good point about the float.
Don't have any instructions for this blade, but I did find a pin on the front connection for the UP and Down cylinder. When the pin is pulled, it allows the mounting bracket linkage to swivel, which appears to allow for float, probably a couple inches worth, from what I can see.
The way it is built, I can always fabricate some longer brackets, which would give more free-play, which should equate to more float.

My driveway and parking area is paved with not much sudden change in grade, so a couple inches of float should be just fine.

Thanks again. That's good info for anyone pushing snow. Keeps the hydraulics from lifting the front end, which allows the 4WD to do it's job.

 

[3RRL]

Great work so far Skunk. It's cleaned up and painted beautifully!

 

[jimmer2880]

If the couple of inches isn't enough, you could always just use a valve spool that has a float position. That's what I have done for many years which has worked well.

 

[SkunkWerX]

If the couple of inches isn't enough, you could always just use a valve spool that has a float position. That's what I have done for many years which has worked well.

Hey Jimmer, you are right, I am using my FEL control valve, which has built-in float. However, the my float still places enough downward pressure to take some weight off the front tires, which equals less traction.
So, if possible, the mechaincal float will keep all the weight on the front end.

Update: KennyD looked up a diagram for the JD blade, and I discovered the blade "keeper" is bolted on, but the cutting edge is missing!

So, I ordered up a 6 foot peice of 5160 carbon steel, 1/4" x 3" to serve as the cutting blade. Should have it by tomorrow.

Today the plate steel arrives, so the adapter plate fabrication can begin.
Still claculating blade angle as controlled by mounted height of blade hitch assembly. ie; the higher off the ground the blade's hitch assembly is mounted, the steeper the cutting angle.

What is a good contact angle for the cutting edge to the ground??

90 degress is too step |

45 degreees seems a bit too shallow, this line appears to be greater than 45 degrees, maybe 60 degrees? \

Would somewhere between 60 and 80 degrees be a good angle??

Any thoughts on contact angle based on experience?

 

[2manyrocks]

After kidding around about remote control operation, someone else posted this in another thread: Loader Radio Remote Control System - Bobcat Company

Is the slope/tilt of the snow blade that important compared to a dirt blade or is it the curve of the blade that really moves the snow?

 

[2manyrocks]

Here is a link to a snow plow research study.

http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/shrp/SHRP-H-673.pdf

 

[SkunkWerX]

After kidding around about remote control operation, someone else posted this in another thread: Loader Radio Remote Control System - Bobcat Company

Is the slope/tilt of the snow blade that important compared to a dirt blade or is it the curve of the blade that really moves the snow?

Thnaks for the link, good research!

I cannot control the pre=-fromed curve of my blade, but I can control the angle at which is contacts the surface, therefor, I will see if i can find a good angle.

In the research, page 8
Figure 1. Horsepower dissipated in compressing snow as a function of velocity. The parameter is blade angle to the road surface.

Hmmm, must be something to how the angle affects performance?

And furhter down in the research:
In discussions with plow operators it was found that they
generally prefer the cutting blade to be oriented approximately 80 degrees to the road
surface. This is a compromise from the 90 degrees they have found removes compacted
snow and ice most effectively, which reduces a phenomena they characterize as chatter.

 

[2manyrocks]

The research also indicated that the blade angle affected how well it shattered ice and the shape of the blade affected compaction of the snow. There were several design issues that are new to me. The study had to do with a blade going at faster speed than on a tractor. There are also issues about the blade itself being damaged by the road surface and vice versa. I'm not sure if this helps or not, but maybe it will lead to something useful.

 

[SkunkWerX]

The research also indicated that the blade angle affected how well it shattered ice and the shape of the blade affected compaction of the snow. There were several design issues that are new to me. The study had to do with a blade going at faster speed than on a tractor. There are also issues about the blade itself being damaged by the road surface and vice versa. I'm not sure if this helps or not, but maybe it will lead to something useful.

Oh it was great to see the various issues they explored.
I agree, they were looking at speeds of 20 to 30 mph, for plow trucks, definately not tractor speeds.

I think what I have concluded is that I can use a steeper angle, if needed, without creating a problem, or cutting performance.