V-Plow Build

[Pibster]

I finally finished my frame mounted V-Plow for my tractor. I plan to use the loader this winter to raise and lower the blade. Maybe next winter I'll gear up some hydraulics for raising. The angle is adjusted manually, using a 1-3/8" pipe with a 7/8" pipe sliding inside with three holes for adjustment using a pin. The 1-3/8" pipe seems solid but I was concerned if the smaller inside pipe would handle the strains of plowing. After plowing for 20 minutes, I switched to the scoop position and that's when one of the 7/8" pipes crumpled under the strain. The 7/16" holes in the 7/8" pipe doesn't leave much steel and that's where it bent.
It's back to the drawing board to try and come up with a better design for adjusting the wings. I may try and get some larger pipe and use the 1-3/8" pipe to slide inside that. If all else fails, I will go with fixed lengths of pipe, one length for each angle. Not an ideal solution though.

 

[texasranger556]

I jumped straight to the pictures and that was going to be my comment...the pipes look like the weak point but you already figured that out! Did you make the blade part from a pipe or tank?

 

[Pibster]

I jumped straight to the pictures and that was going to be my comment...the pipes look like the weak point but you already figured that out! Did you make the blade part from a pipe or tank?

I went to a shop and they rolled a flat sheet of new steel.

 

[4get gto]

I went to a shop and they rolled a flat sheet of new steel.

Nicely done.. Did you get to try it out yet ?

 

[Pibster]

Nicely done.. Did you get to try it out yet ?

We had 4" the other day and it worked great. I'm anxious to try it on some big snow drifts if we get a storm.

 

[4get gto]

We had 4" the other day and it worked great. I'm anxious to try it on some big snow drifts if we get a storm.

Watch what you wish for..
Also.. You have a very well thought out design. Did you have something to go by or scale it off a larger one...?

 

[Pibster]

I looked at some commercially built v-plows online. There are lots of links to straight plow home builds online but not much in the way of v-plows. The biggest head scratcher was the hinge. I originally made the plow bracket too short; when raised up in the v-position, the rear tips of the blade were touching the ground so I had to lengthen the base 12". That's why the angle braces do not extend to the back of the bracket. I may eventually cut those braces off and lengthen them.

 

[radios1]

I looked at some commercially built v-plows online. There are lots of links to straight plow home builds online but not much in the way of v-plows. The biggest head scratcher was the hinge. I originally made the plow bracket too short; when raised up in the v-position, the rear tips of the blade were touching the ground so I had to lengthen the base 12". That's why the angle braces do not extend to the back of the bracket. I may eventually cut those braces off and lengthen them.

I've never seen an adjustable V-Plow, the one's Ive seen are welded together at a set angle, which reduces stress, as far as using pipe goes, you'd be better off using larger, solid steel rods, pipe, like used for water, etc. is very weak..

 

[Pibster]

I've never seen an adjustable V-Plow, the one's Ive seen are welded together at a set angle, which reduces stress, as far as using pipe goes, you'd be better off using larger, solid steel rods, pipe, like used for water, etc. is very weak..

The pipe sidewall is fairly thick, around .133 of an inch. I doubt that the larger one would ever bend, but the smaller pipe with a similar sidewall thickness is much weaker. I am looking for some square tubing now.

 

[Yooper75]

I looked at some commercially built v-plows online. There are lots of links to straight plow home builds online but not much in the way of v-plows. The biggest head scratcher was the hinge. I originally made the plow bracket too short; when raised up in the v-position, the rear tips of the blade were touching the ground so I had to lengthen the base 12". That's why the angle braces do not extend to the back of the bracket. I may eventually cut those braces off and lengthen them.

Boss makes one for ATV's that looks like it can be easily adapted to smaller tractors. If I keep my John Deere 2305 I am going to look at adapting one to work with it so I have another option other than the loader and my Crew Cab Long Box F350 with 9'-2" Boss V.

Here is a link to the Boss ATV Plow.

BOSS Snowplow | ATV Plows