Snow plow fabrication

[Glrret]

I was wondering if some of you that use your tractors to plow snow if you could give me some guidance. I and fabricating a plow for the front of my 2555 and need to know is it best the build the plow with a pivot point where it connects to the loader adapter plate or should I make it solid to the plate and depend on the float position on the hydraulics?
I have seen it both ways and want to know what is best and why. Side note: the blade will have a trip edge... I know that in some cases the plows that are built with no pivot point can also be used as a dozer blade, is that not a wise idea for tractor loader arms?

Below I have provided the 2 example for clarification. The first is with a pivot hinge point the second is without.

 

[Rustyiron]

I like the pivot type that's on the Deere. If you build it right, any old POS truck plow can be pinned right on. Down pressure can be built into it if you want. Do a search here. There have been quite a few including a few of mine. And welcome to the forum!

 

[Wild Bill the 2nd]

In my opinion if you only plow pavement then the solid mount is the way to go.

If you are also plowing unpaved driveways or roads you will want to be able to have as little down pressure as possible for when things are not frozen.

As it was mentioned above, you can rig a suspended plow so that you can also have down pressure if needed.

 

[Tomtint]

I have mine welded solid. It's on my skidsteer and I like being able to get down pressure to scrape up packed snow/ice when needed. Otherwise it can just be used in float mode.

 

[LD1]

Make it pivot. Like on the deere. There are otherways to get down pressure if needed without having it welded solid.

 

[ray66v]

I tried it both ways. Make it pivot.

I found the chain unnecessary. If it doesn't weigh 5000 lbs., you can just put stops on the bottom of the hinges. Once it drops a certain amount, it hits the stops.

It also helps a lot, to have some slop in the rotation point, so the plow can rotate a few degrees, to follow the grade better.

 

[ovrszd]

I built one solid. If doing it again, I'd build it to pivot and hang on chains. That is if the principle use is snow.

There was a thread on here just awhile back and a guy posted pics of a setup that pivoted and used a coil spring mechanism to create down pressure if needed. Maybe he'll chime in.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Mine is held with a chain in the middle. But I can get down pressure if I want by adjusting the curl.

 

[nybirdman]

I would recommend the solid unit "only if plowing asphalt or concrete",mine floats on a chain and works very well for my purposes.

 

[Oldpath05]

After one look see at the Deere, To be or not to be isn't the biggest issue I noticed, first thing I'd do is move that plow back 2 ft. so it's not sticking out there a mile, then if down pressure is needed swap the chain out for a piece of round/square stock. Then there shouldn't be any worry's of scratching the car, banging into the house, hitting the garage door, knocking down the clothes line, and tipping over the dog house.