Snow Plow

[pwright]

Anybody using a snow plow on their Bobcat? Any suggestions on make? Is a 3rd function kit going to be required?

 

[catdozer]

I use a plow on mine, I personally don't like it, I actually want a frame mount plow so I can take off the loader. If you want it hydraulically angles yes you need a 3rd function, or can Manually angle it but that's too hard.

 

[lilranch2001]

Anybody using a snow plow on their Bobcat? Any suggestions on make? Is a 3rd function kit going to be required?

angling a loader mounted snow plow is risky business.
To easy to tweak the loader arms, they are not built for it
I am with Cat, get a frame mount if you want one, Bobcat makes one

 

[madmax12]

I use a plow on mine, I personally don't like it, I actually want a frame mount plow so I can take off the loader. If you want it hydraulically angles yes you need a 3rd function, or can Manually angle it but that's too hard.

Newbie question.

First tractor. Plan to cinch Snowbear winch lifting (plan to remove/disable winch), manual angle, plow into the bucket. It would ultimately look like your setup (except bucket still on, and plow chained to it)

Can u be more specific as to why you want the loader removed from the equation? I was thinking the loader provided an unlimited ability to pile the snow to the sky.

Heres a pic of a "test" hook up... not the straps I plan to use...

Appreciate your insight, as you have (negative?) experience with what I was looking forward to doing.

 

[catdozer]

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=280252"/>

Newbie question.

First tractor. Plan to cinch Snowbear winch lifting (plan to remove/disable winch), manual angle, plow into the bucket. It would ultimately look like your setup (except bucket still on, and plow chained to it)

Can u be more specific as to why you want the loader removed from the equation? I was thinking the loader provided an unlimited ability to pile the snow to the sky.

Heres a pic of a "test" hook up... not the straps I plan to use...

Appreciate your insight, as you have (negative?) experience with what I was looking forward to doing.

I have a long lane to plow (through a woods), and it just throws my tractor off to the side and can't push it off to the side far enough.
And yes you can pile it higher with the loader plow, but I have plenty open space and if need to I have other equipment to pile it higher. And I need to plow smaller areas, the loader plow swings too far out and misses snow.
It's just me,

 

[galaxie428]

I don't personally have one on mine but a friend of mine has one on his JD. He uses his rear remotes to adjust his angle. That was the cheapest route. However, a third function would be much handier if you have the cash for one.

 

[pwright]

Hmmm. Hadn't thought about the side-load on the loader arms from an angled blade. And it does really stick out there when attached to the loader. Must admit it doesn't seem like a good idea.

I'll have to check out the frame-mounted ones though removing the loader arms to put on a plow when it is that cold doesn't sound like an enjoyable experience. :laughing:

 

[94BULLITT]

It all depends on the plow and how far it stick outs from the tractor and how much the tractor weighs, and if it has chains and the weight of the plow as to how well it will work. Plows have a spring trip to fold over if you hit something. You can also get a crossover relief valve which will allow the plow to change angle if you hit something. Here is a guy plowing with a JD3230 with a Fisher plow that sticks way far out, I don't know how it works that good.

 

[wallace]

angling a loader mounted snow plow is risky business.
To easy to tweak the loader arms, they are not built for it
I am with Cat, get a frame mount if you want one, Bobcat makes one

Why is this anymore riskier than shoving your loader into a bank or a pile of dirt? You dont put equal pressure on the loader arms when pushing into a pile?
I have plowed for 10 years with a loader mounted plow.
My first was a 30hp Cub Cadet with a Meyer 7-1/2' plow and now this one.
This is a 8-1/2 Snow Way V-Plow

 

[DK35vince]

I've been plowing snow with DK 35 for years with a loader mounted blade.
Chains on all, trip springs only (no crossover relief). No problems so far.

 

[pwright]

Great feedback. Thanks guys!

I'll have to look around and see what is available.

 

[LD1]

Dont worry about the loader arms. I am not saying that it "cant" happen. But it is unlikely. People do it everyday, and have been for years without issues. Properly set-up, with the springs and a crossover relief, you have nothing to worry about. You are just pushing snow. Its NOT a dozer blade, and dont require arms and a frame built like one either.

And like wallace said, when pushing into a pile of dirt or gravel, its the same thing. In fact (and I am sure I am not the only one) there have been SEVERAL times when I DIDNT want a full bucket. Like say filling just a rut or pothole, and dont want to dump 5' wide path of material, I will go into the pile at an angle JUST to fill one corner of the bucket.

And what about when you are digging with it and catch a tree root or something on only one side?? That puts way more side force than an angled snowplow.

 

[catdozer]

Really if you can go with the loader mounted great. But I was just saying that i couldn't get it pushed back off far enough that it "throws" my tractor around. That I want the plow closer to the tractor.

 

[Rustyiron]

One problem with a loader mounted plow is that it is so far forward, (of the front axle) especially angled. that there is a bunch of leverage pushing the front out of the snow, esp. a deep or wet/heavy snow, driving (steering) will be up to the snow not you. This creates the forces that others have described (with a blade mounted plow) and may not be the best for your loader arms.

 

[pwright]

Well I am in New Mexico and even though my property is up at 5000+ feet any snow there is pretty unusual. What does happen, once every couple years, is that we'll get a couple inches of snow that is accompanied by strong winds and then we get these big drifts on the roads that typical 4WD jeeps and trucks can't get through. Even lifted vehicles with aggressive tires often won't be able to get through them. By the following day most of the roads are clear, if muddy, but the drifts will hang around for a week or more. That's what I'll need to deal with. The drifts that accumulate in the shady spots and don't melt away within a day. I can probably just use the bucket as the drifts will be 10-15 yards long and then a quarter mile of mostly clear dirt road. Given that the roads are dirt and rock that may be the better choice rather than tearing up an actual snow plow.

 

[LD1]

With skid shoes, trip springs, and a crossover relief, the odds of damaging your plow, even on a rock road, are slim.

But given what you just said, and it frequency and quantity of plow time you will need, I think you are right to just stick with the bucket. It'd probabally take you longer to throw the plow on than to just use the bucket and be done.

 

[pwright]

Yeah, I think I'll see what happens this winter but keep an eye out for any deals on quick-detach snow plows. If this winter is like last and I do end up dealing with some drifts I'll find out real quick how it goes with the bucket.

 

[94BULLITT]

If you rarely have snow could you move it with a scraper blade and bucket?

 

[pwright]

If you rarely have snow could you move it with a scraper blade and bucket?

That's the plan for this winter. If it isn't doable or takes too much more work than with a plow then I'll find a plow.

 

[94BULLITT]

You could get a truck plow and convert it.