Short term solution, plow in bucket free or fixed?

[hazmat]

Since my welding buddy left for the islands untill January, I thoguht I'd put together a temporary bolt on approach for the plow in the bucket. I bought some angle iron & some hardware. I've got the bracket for the A frame figured out.

I've seen a few here let theA frame & plow move up and down (axis of rotation parallel to the axles on the tractor). I'm guessing that the bucket is raised a certain amount off the ground & then you plow.

I've also seen a couple rigidly attach the plow to the bucket & use loader curl to adjust angle of attack. Here I assume the fel is in "float". I also assume that this setup only works well if the plow has skid shoes that will keep it from digging in.

Pro's/con's comments?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Why not take the easiest solution and just weld a pair of U shaped brackets to the baclk of the blade that will slip over the bottom of your bucket. That's how the big loader push blades are mounted.

 

[winchman]

Hazmat,

I have a rigid "plow in the bucket" set-up using the u-channel that Franz suggests with a chain running from the end of the center "A" frame to the middle hook on the top of my bucket. The chain has a turnbuckle in it to draw the plow frame tight which is necessary for backdragging. I can have my plow on in less than two minutes. I like this quick-attach aspect. I would say forget about plowing using "float" position unless you have a paved driveway. Using "float" you have the weight of your moving loader frame and the bucket resting on the plow...not good. A huge advantage of the set-up that Thomas has is that when he drops his plow down he still has the weight of his moving loader frame and bucket on the front axle. Weight on the front end is very important if you like to be able to steer. I like Thomas' design better than mine.

 

[Thomas]

I'll try and answer your questions plus w/photos.

Frame to bucket I bolt on,and piece of flat steel on the back of the bucket for stenght..so I won't damge the bucket when plowing.

Single pin setup.

Guides for the plow frame kinda a must..less wear & tear on the pin hitch.

 

[Thomas]

I lower the bucket 3 or 4 inches from the ground..just enough so the shoes rest upon the ground.

 

[Thomas]

Also set the bucket 3 or 4 inches from the ground when plow set for straight pushing.

 

[Thomas]

When the plow set for 45 degrees,the back of the plow rest against the corner bottom of the bucket for support.

When the plow set at 45 degrees,the end of the blade plows 6" be on the rear tire..<font color=blue>MarkNH<font color=blue><font color=black> plow reaches foot be on his JD rear tires..much better idea than mine.

 

[Thomas]

With the pin hitch and the the trip springs,kinda like a double action safety feature if you should hit something solid.

Pushing back snow banks etc..I like to square off even when the plow set for straight pushing..equal pressure on both fel arms.

Heavy wet snow..inches + /w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif..I don't try and take a full blade each time..1/2 or 2/3 blade of snow,easier to handle plus easier on the bota.

You may want to consider some rear ballast for traction,plus w/the added weight of the plow the rear end maybe come a little lite when lifting the plow.

If I can help w/more photos etc let me know. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[jhburke]

Thomas
Wouldn't it be better if for your counter weight on the rear was lowered closer to the ground. This would keep your CG lower and make the tractor less tippy. I weld hooks on all of my attachments so that I can chain them at whatever level I want them. This also takes the strain off my rear hydraulics.

 

[hazmat]

Thomas,

Thanks for the pics & the comments. They help alot. I've got my bracket fabricated, but still haven't bit the bullet & bolted it to the bucket yet! Hopefully I'll get some time this weekend.

So One thing that is still a little unclear to me. You don't suspend the plow with a chain. Looks to me like you just let the A-Frame rest on the bucket floor. Is that correct?

One thing I'm trying to factor into my design is the steep side of my driveway. I'd like to be backing into the road and plowing forward down the hill. The transition from the street to my driveway is very abrubt, the plow will need to drop a bit as I start down the hill.

Alternatively I could just backdrag backwards & let the plow float up. Hmmm.

PS What is the meaning of your signature?