Help modifying plow frame for FEL mount

[lhfarm]

I spent last winter with my old plow pinned to the front of the QA plate. That puts the plow way out front and I want to move the FEL plate forward to reduce the distance between the QA plate and the blade. I don't want to cut the plow frame since I hope to find hardware for my old CJ7 Jeep. I've spent the last few days trying to use the methods I've seen here of putting the mount points on the backside of the QA plate, as foggy1111 has done here http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/225458-front-end-loader-snow-plow-2.html

This won't work with the NH QA design, since the large cross tube blocks the back of the plate. I'm wondering if I can simple weld new tabs out of 1 1/2" sq bar stock and weld tabs on the QA plate. As you can see from the picture, my QA plate already has a set of tabs from an old plow. These wont's match up with the new tabs, unless I put a bar across the A-frame and weld the new tabs to the bar.

Do you think this new mounting arrangement will work? Are there issues I'm not seeing? Any advice, comments or suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[JB4310]

Pictures are not that clear, but you should be able to move the connection rearward if you work off the bottom of the plate.

JB

 

[lhfarm]

Pictures are not that clear, but you should be able to move the connection rearward if you work off the bottom of the plate.

JB

Sorry the pictures weren't clear and neither was my description of the problem. Note sent during high frustration period.

You are correct. I can probably run square tubing back to the original attachment point, welding it to the bottom of the plate. My concern is if I can find a way to reinforce the weld on the backside of the plate. I'm assuming there is a lot of force placed on the plow frame when pushing snow.

From a strength point, I wonder if a square top across the frame would be better. More surface to weld.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

 

[JB4310]

If you don't mind the plow being out front like before, just move those clevis tabs to line up with the plows pins. the big adaptor plate does limit what you can do. I made a truck plow couple to my QH via a round bar that just fit the bottom J hooks of the QH. your plate would prevent you from doing this but might give you something to think about.

I went ahead and front frame mounted it now, same plow still works on the QH, but front frame mount is such a natural way to plow.

JB

 

[lhfarm]

I would like a sub-frame mounted plow, but with no more snow than we normally get I would want the loader on more than the plow. I think I'm going to weld a tube across the A- frame. I'll add some tabs matching those on the bottom of the plate. I'll connect the plate tabs and the the new frame tabs with a piece of square stock.

At least that is the thinking now.

Thanks,

 

[JB4310]

" I'll connect the plate tabs and the the new frame tabs with a piece of square stock."

I still can't picture exactly what you want to do.

Post some more pics when you get it built or mocked up.

Any amount you can shorten it would have to help.

JB

 

[lhfarm]

" I'll connect the plate tabs and the the new frame tabs with a piece of square stock."

I still can't picture exactly what you want to do.

Post some more pics when you get it built or mocked up.

Any amount you can shorten it would have to help.

JB

Will do. This picture might help. The plate is resting on the frame. You can see the tabs already in place at the lower part of the plate. I'm thinking about some 2" sq tubing across the frame, so I won't be hitting the cylinders. I'd weld a set of matching tabs on the bar. I thought if I used a piece of sq bar to attach the plate and plow, the plow could move up/down as it would have in the original mount.

 

[JB4310]

That's a good start, as it has the plow rearward as much as possible.

That square bar link is a little different, you will have to try it to make sure it has clearance and how it reacts when it hangs from the chain or is pushed against etc.

If you relocated those clevis tabs on the plate, to the bottom of the plate some how, you could just pin them the conventional way, to a new single tab you put on that square tube across the A-frame.

JB

 

[lhfarm]

I think I can add new tabs to the bottom of the plate. I'm not the greatest welder, but I think I could weld them to the 2" tube. You can see what I'm dealing with in the last picture of my first post. Since I'd be trying to duplicate the original mount, I'm assuming they should extend beneath the plate an inch or so.

Thanks,

 

[JB4310]

Yeah I see it's busy under there, what are those extra holes for, a smaller loader attachment?

If you don't need them you could cut it out of the way.

But looking at that same pic, how about 2 pcs (on each side) of heavy angle iron, attached to the front face of the existing square tube at the bottom of the plate. Brought straight down low enough to clear the stuff on the bottom of the plate with holes in the opposing sections to allow a pin to hold the plow on.

It would have to be fairly heavy angle, but would be simple and strong, could bring the top part up and gusset to the plate for more weld contact area.

Hope you can picture that idea, 4 pcs of angle coming straight down (2 on each side) and acting like the clevis attachment point. you could probably do it with just 1 angle on each side and use one long rod to pin both sides at once.

You do have to be able to weld of course, but all your plans assumed you can.

JB

 

[lhfarm]

I like the idea of the angle iron. That would give me lots more welding area on the square tube. I'll give it some thought.

BTW, the extra holes in the plate are, I assume, part of the standard skid loader design. I purchased the blank plate off of e-Bay several years ago.

Thanks,

 

[lhfarm]

Just finished putting the new mount on. I used the angle iron to both extend the brackets on the QA plate and across the plow frame. Those are 1 1/2" bar stock for the tabs. The angle is 2x2x1/4.

No snow so I just drove around with the plow and I can really tell a difference. The balance seems better and there is not as much bounce and movement in the blade. The blade should float nicely with the chain and pins allowing plenty of movement.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll report back after the first real snow.

 

[JB4310]

Looks pretty good.

Are you a gentle plower or are you more forceful?

Because if you are more the later, then I think you may need some reinforcement.
The angle looks to be not as heavy as it could be. It could be gusseted in back, to the square member or you could just double up the angles, drill another hole and weld one right over the existing.

I'm a little concerned about the angle with the single bolt holding too.

I like the geometry of it, you pushed it way back, but I'd hate to see you twist things up in the middle of a storm.

Don't know if I mentioned already, I'm not the biggest fan of loader mounted plows, but I understand peoples desire to use them. So my critique is to try and help you, not a reflection of my opinion of your choice.

Maybe now that you show the finished product others will chime in.

JB

 

[lhfarm]

I'm a gentle plower, mostly because I know who did the welding . It would be pretty easy to weld some more angle or maybe just some 2 x 1/4" strip, which I have on hand.

A goal was to not modify the plow frame, so I went with the 5/8" grade 8 bolts. But I could really weld the angle to the plow.

I moved it back 18" and that has made a big difference. A foot of snow is a rare event here and I'm mostly dealing with smaller amounts.

Thanks,