snowplow setup

/ snowplow setup #1  

steviep

Silver Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2007
Messages
179
Location
Milton NH
Tractor
2001 JD 4300
I have been working on my FEL snowplow, and have a question for you guys. Some of you make the plow so it is ridged with no free floating up and down movement. Then so of you rig up a chain setup so you get so float out of it , such as if it was on a truck. To give you an Idea my driveway is about 1500 feet long and gravel. I dont know if it makes a differance.
 
/ snowplow setup #2  
I would think if it was rigid with frame it would also allow bobbing with dips in road/driveway kinda like head lites at a drive-in at nite driving over the humps.
I would think you will want the cutting edge of plow to skim surface of area to be cleaned, I have seen skid pads and sometimes wheels to follow curvature of land
 
/ snowplow setup #3  
When I made mine, it was rigid, as was the JD model I copied. I used it for 3 seasons without trouble. The floating system does have it's merits though, and if I where to make another it would probably be of the floating variety.

Just make sure the plow is as close to the FEL arms as possible to limit the overall length of the machine and to keep the leverage down on the FEL frame. Also MAKE SURE your trip springs work!
 
/ snowplow setup #4  
It has to float somehow, be it the plow that floats or, in the case of a rigid setup the loader arms have to be on "float".

With a rigid setup and the loader arms on "float" you lose much of the weight/traction on the front wheels....

With the plow set up to float by itself you get the full weight of the loader arms pushing down on the front wheels. (several hundred pounds more)

You're up in NH and 18"+ of snow isn't uncommon. With the plow fully angled there's a lot of force sideways and you certainly need all the weight you can get bearing on the front wheels just to steer in that kind of snow.

I vote for a the "floating plow" arrangement.
 
/ snowplow setup #5  
I'm going to be making a plow setup for my TN70DA for my snow renoval business. The plow will be free floating on the loader arms. It will also be on a quick-tach plate. Not sure of all the details but it will be setup similar to a truck, "push frame" pivot and "lift" chain. If buget allows it will have hydraulic angle.

Most likely my project will happen in November. I will post pics.

Sorry...Doesn't help you much right now :(
 
/ snowplow setup #6  
I had a similar question when I built my snowplow a while ago. So, I came up with a system that gives me the best (I feel) of both worlds. I normally have the plow floating on the loader arms, but, if I want to I can rotate the plow forward to put some down pressure on the ground. (for hard packed snow/ice) It has worked fine so far. Here is a link to that thread. Jason:)

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/69523-fel-snowplow.html
 
/ snowplow setup #8  
I can't remember how I identified the brand of plow I adapted!? I think the fellow I bought it from told me it was a Western, but I can't be sure. Good Luck, Jason.
 
 

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