Fitting a snow plow blade to a 430 FEL - 14 photos

[mlip]

Folks,

I finally finished my snow plow FEL project. I'd like to thank those that offered advice on this. You really helped guide my decision making on this project.

My objectives were to keep cost low and to make little or no modification to the existing plow frame. I designed the fabricated frame to let the plow sit on the ground exactly as it would on a plow truck. It will follow the ground contours riding on skids. My driveway is about 300' long and all gravel/stone pack material. I'll also be using rear chains on my JD4300. I opted to keep the hydraulics simple. I'll use bucket curl on my loader control to angle the plow. This requires disconnecting the 430 FEL curl hydraulics and plugging in the plow hydraulics. If this becomes a pain in the *** I may get a diverter valve. Will make that decision after this winter.

I was able to make the set up for the following costs:
used 6' blade and frame from craigslist - $150
steel to fabricate adapter frame - $85
hydraulic hoses/fittings/flow controllers - $135
plow skids - $50

So, for about $400, I have a good plow set up. I was luck to find a really nice 6' blade off a jeep that apparently hadn’t been used much and has minimal rust.

I've attached some pictures below......

The pictures start with cutting the steel, fitting it together, welding it, prime, paint, change the hydraulic fittings/hoses and wait for snow...

some lessons learned:

welding.... I found a used arc welder for cheap, this was my first time arc welding, it was fun, but my weld joints will not win any awards, they are strong, but pretty ugly.

My tools are mostly set up for wood working. This job was tough on my compound miter saw (lots of pock marks from sparks, and a torched dust collector bag!) and my clamps melted in a couple of spots due to weld heat.

Luckily I flushed out the hydr cylinders on the used plow, they had dextron fluid and the fluid was a bit discolored. Best not to contaminate the tractor's fluid reservoir with this stuff.

430 FEL handles this set up with ease. No difficulty in any way. Expect to be able to have good utility in pushing snow off the the side of the driveway and the be able to pile it up out at the street.

I'll let you know when I get a chance to use. Could be any time now, I'm in the Boston area......

 

[JDFANATIC]

Nice fab work and nice well written post. Thanks! I do, however, hope you won't get to test it out this year.

 

[kennyd]

Nice Job!
I hope you get some snow to try it out on

 

[22261]

nice job now take the time and put 2 or 3 more trip springs on that meyers plow so it do'nt lay down on ya with 2'' of snow

 

[Thomas]

Evening mlip.
Nice setup,and but the looks of the plow reach your gonner make some high snow banks if you.
Far as the welds goes,long as they are good and rugged that's what counts.

 

[mlip]

thanks....yup, I'm set for making high piles....fully extended this thing could probably make a 10 - 12 foot pile! As for the springs....this is the standard Meyer's design for thier small plows. If I keep tripping it, I'll add a couple.

 

[JB4310]

I'm not a big fan of loader mounted plows so I wasn't that impressed when I first looked at your thread but the more I looked at your set up I thought twice about it, it is simple, practical, strong enough, and since there are still a lot of the older style plows out there (that are not all one piece units with lift frame and lights), so with your frame and some adjustable hitch pins for different size plows A frames and a couple of long hoses it would be a quick get up and go for CUT owners, I think it could be marketable!
Couple of suggestions, instead of the eye bolt, just get a weld on hook up higher on the center mast and cut the extra angle iron off at the bottom of the frame, could be a nasty shin injury. A light 7ft. plow might suit you better depending on your average snow fall depth.
Good idea about flushing out the old fluid, great job.

 

[mlip]

Curtis Plow makes this type set up with adapter plates specifically for the 430 FEL. They get about $2000. You're right, so many old style plows going to waste, why not "recycle" them into this type setup. Its really a pretty straight forward project. I tought about just welding the hook to the center beam. I opted for the eye bolt to let the hook move in the direction of the chain tension. I'll see how it goes, I may yet weld the hook on...

 

[Havoctec]

Looks good!!
I am surprised that your compound miter saw held up to the abuse. Wouldn't think of using mine on steel.
Welding does take prctice and they don't have to look good to hold. However, if any of the welds don't hold this winter, you will just be able to get some more practice!
It will be interesting to hear how it works for you. I ended up puting chains on all four tires so there would be mor steering control. Had to use the brakes a lot without front chains. However, our driveway has a long (800') steep section. Without that I think the rears would be enough.

Happy powing!!

 

[mlip]

Agreed. I admit that this was beating on the miter saw. However, it just chugged along, as long as I didnt feed it too fast it went OK.

I have chains for the rear. Hoping I wont need them for the front. Since the plow rides on its own weight the front tires of the tractor will be fully weight loaded. Hope its enough to give me some degree of steerage.