Snow Plow Questions

[Craig B]

I have a 1987 JD 430. A friend has a never used snow plow. I dont know the width. It has hydraulic angle and tilt. He is giving it to me since he no longer has a tractor to put it on. I am a bit concerned about moisture and/or corrosion since it has been sitting in his shed for years. I have not seen it but he tells me it looks like new. When I get it should I loosen the hydraulic hoses and drain the fluid (assuming there is some there) and let my tractor refill it it or is there another recommended procedure. It may never have had oil in it.

I will need the frame extension since he does not have this. Does anyone have one cheap?

Thanks!

 

[beenthere]

Is the plow a JD plow? If so, what is the model number/serial number?

If never used, I wouldn't worry about the fluid as there shouldn't be any. Would worry about moisture and corrosion when you see it. Then you will know more about it.

A pic of the snow plow would help a lot.

 

[Craig B]

Yes it is a JD. I do not know any other information.
Maybe I am being overly cautious. But, I tend to err on the side of caution more the older I get. I have learned too many lessons the hard way.

 

[oldnslo]

I have a 1987 JD 430. A friend has a never used snow plow. I dont know the width. It has hydraulic angle and tilt. He is giving it to me since he no longer has a tractor to put it on. I am a bit concerned about moisture and/or corrosion since it has been sitting in his shed for years. I have not seen it but he tells me it looks like new. When I get it should I loosen the hydraulic hoses and drain the fluid (assuming there is some there) and let my tractor refill it it or is there another recommended procedure. It may never have had oil in it.

I will need the frame extension since he does not have this. Does anyone have one cheap?

Thanks!

Craig,
once you get the plow you can crack open a fitting and see what the fluid looks like, then make a decision on what you see. i agree it is usual better and less expensive to error on the side of caution.

Roy

 

[Craig B]

Thanks Roy. That was my inclination but I wanted the opinion of others. I think I will try to drain all the fluid as a precaution.
I live in Kentucky and we dont get too much snow however, the blade will come in handy.

 

[jsb2b]

Hey. It's FREE. If it doesn't pan out, sell it. Even if you have to go to the dealer and buy the frame extension for around $200, the plow is worth 5 times that. :thumbsup:

 

[KWentling]

I would pull a line off and see what comes out. I had a cylinder laying around (inside an unheated shed) that I found a use for and the cylinder had condensed water in it. I found that by pulling the plugs I had put in the ports when it was removed from service. This was a tie rod cylinder so it was easy to pull apart and clean. There was a little discoloration/rust where the water had been setting that cleaned up nicely with a scotchbrite pad. Probably would have damaged the seals if it had been left as it was. You may need to pull them apart and clean them up. Setting dry would probably be worse yet.

Kim

 

[mfreund]

Craig,
once you get the plow you can crack open a fitting and see what the fluid looks like, then make a decision on what you see. i agree it is usual better and less expensive to error on the side of caution.

Roy

I am X2!

 

[Craig B]

Thanks!

Now if he would only give me the blade.
He told me about 10 days ago we would pick it up in a few days.

 

[Craig B]

I am supposed to pick the plow up tomorrow morning.
We have had a series of semi-comical and slightly frustrating phone exchanges. :confused2:
I will post pictures if I actually get it. I found out it is used (possibly my misunderstanding) but hey, for free, who cares. I am happy even if it needs a lot of work. He tells me It has been stored inside though.

 

[Craig B]

Picked up the blade this morning. It is 54 inch and it needs a little paint. Otherwise it looks to be in great shape. I am going to check the hydraulic fluid that is still in it. It was seeping a little at the hose ends. My manual says to use type F auto trans fluid. It is red. The fluid that came out of this looks like light amber colored regular hydraulic fluid.
Should I drain it all out?
I will try to get some pics. I am very pleased since it was free. I now need a front frame extension.

 

[Craig B]

I finally found time to load a few pics. As you can see the blade is in need of a little cleaning and paint. I was told the hoses have been replaced. The cutting edge is worn but serviceable. I think I will make a squeegee since this will mostly be used on blacktop.

Does anyone know what the small bracket (visible at the bottom of the second picture) attached to the frame is for? I am guessing a spring/tie to hold the hydraulic hoses secure.

 

[Craig B]

A few more....

 

[Dutch445]

Does anyone know what the small bracket (visible at the bottom of the second picture) attached to the frame is for? I am guessing a spring/tie to hold the hydraulic hoses secure.

I'd bet that there was an option for a manual remote angle kit, and it used that
bracket to pivot a pin up and down into the hitch to change the angle
from the seat.

 

[Craig B]

I didnt think of that possibility. I found it in the jdparts but, still could not figure it out.