RTV 500 v-plow options

[DIXIEDOG]

Dixie, You have any pics or description of where the plow mounts up exactly? I just got the plow Saturday but they didn't send the mount yet and the push tube frame is like 4' long. It looks way wrong to me, I think I need a different frame

You remove the 4 bolts on the front plate of your buggy....(there may be black plastic plugs in the threads) These are the same holes that are used to mount your winch fairlead.... You insert those 4 bolts and then drill 4-3/8" holes from the bottom and bolt them in. The plate is approx 30" wide and looks to be made from around 5" angle iron.

This is the only pic I have that shows a portion of the mount from the front

 

[aczlan]

DIXIEDOG, Any chance you could post a picture of how the latch to set the blade pitch works on this plow? How far will it scoop?
Do you think that a RTV500 could handle a 72" V plow?
Looking at getting a 66" or 72" V blade for our RTV500 and adding a rubber strip under the cutting edge.
If I go with the NorthStar store, it looks like I would need:

• Push Tube for UTV. Universal to ALL UTV's - $199.99
• Eagle V-Blade 66" Black only - $439.99
• UTV Plow Mount for KUBOTA 2009 500RTV 4x4 - $110.00
• Total: $749.98

Then I would also need a synthetic winch rope which looks to be another $50ish (3/16 Amsteel through Amazon) if the rollers are in decent shape or another $15-20ish if they aren't.

Thanks

Aaron Z

 

[DIXIEDOG]

DIXIEDOG, Any chance you could post a picture of how the latch to set the blade pitch works on this plow? How far will it scoop?
Do you think that a RTV500 could handle a 72" V plow?
Looking at getting a 66" or 72" V blade for our RTV500 and adding a rubber strip under the cutting edge.
If I go with the NorthStar store, it looks like I would need:

• Push Tube for UTV. Universal to ALL UTV's - $199.99
• Eagle V-Blade 66" Black only - $439.99
• UTV Plow Mount for KUBOTA 2009 500RTV 4x4 - $110.00
• Total: $749.98

Then I would also need a synthetic winch rope which looks to be another $50ish (3/16 Amsteel through Amazon) if the rollers are in decent shape or another $15-20ish if they aren't.

Thanks

Aaron Z

I don't have the RTV 500 or the Eagle plow any longer or I'd take a picture for you. I switched to a Gator 825i and Boss V plow set up.


I did put the Eagle V plow on my 825i for awhile but it was too narrow for the Gator's width....I used it one season like that and bought the Boss in the off season for this year.

Here's a few pics that may help you


To change from straight to V or scoop you remove a hitch pin and move that 2" or so square tubing to the next set of tabs on the plow blade


Here's a pic of it in scoop ( you will have to give it some extra "love" the first time you put the plow in scoop....it will be a firm push but gets easier each time and the scoop position is really what puts a V plow way above a straight blade for me.....the ability to quickly clean spillage can't be overstated.


Here's a couple pics of the plow in V mode on my RTV 500




Personally I'd skip the $50 synthetic rope....get a 2" winch strap like is used on a boat trailer....cut it down to about 9' long so it will fit on your winch spool.....take about a 2' long piece of duct tape....get a few wraps around you winch drum and then stick it along your winch strap...then just wind it in. The winch strap will last for years and you don't need to worry about your rollers either....as long as it is extremely sharp the strap will be fine. I used the same strap on both my RTV and Gator and never did need to replace it......I pulled it off in the spring and put my regular line back on....just before plow season I swapped it back on. (The pics show the RTV 500 with a steel cable, that was when I first installed the plow...the steel cable lasted less than 2 storms and needed to be replaced at nearly $70 it didn't take long to figure out that wouldn't work) Also to keep your strap/rope/cable/winch from breaking back up just a little from your snow pile before lifting the plow and you will not be trying to pick up a heavy snow bank with the plow each pass.

 

[aczlan]

I don't have the RTV 500 or the Eagle plow any longer or I'd take a picture for you. I switched to a Gator 825i and Boss V plow set up.
I did put the Eagle V plow on my 825i for awhile but it was too narrow for the Gator's width....I used it one season like that and bought the Boss in the off season for this year.
Here's a few pics that may help you
To change from straight to V or scoop you remove a hitch pin and move that 2" or so square tubing to the next set of tabs on the plow blade

Hmmm, where does the tube go when its in V mode? Looks almost like you take it off? Would it be possible to add a actuator or a hydraulic ram to make it possible to change the blade angle "on the fly"?

Personally I'd skip the $50 synthetic rope....get a 2" winch strap like is used on a boat trailer....cut it down to about 9' long so it will fit on your winch spool.....take about a 2' long piece of duct tape....get a few wraps around you winch drum and then stick it along your winch strap...then just wind it in. The winch strap will last for years and you don't need to worry about your rollers either....as long as it is extremely sharp the strap will be fine. I used the same strap on both my RTV and Gator and never did need to replace it......I pulled it off in the spring and put my regular line back on....just before plow season I swapped it back on. (The pics show the RTV 500 with a steel cable, that was when I first installed the plow...the steel cable lasted less than 2 storms and needed to be replaced at nearly $70 it didn't take long to figure out that wouldn't work) Also to keep your strap/rope/cable/winch from breaking back up just a little from your snow pile before lifting the plow and you will not be trying to pick up a heavy snow bank with the plow each pass.

I happen to have a few 10-15' pieces of 2" strap that were on a set of 3000# WLL ratchet straps (they were 25-30' long and I only needed 10-15')... I'll run those.

Thanks

Aaron Z

 

[DIXIEDOG]

Hmmm, where does the tube go when its in V mode? Looks almost like you take it off? Would it be possible to add a actuator or a hydraulic ram to make it possible to change the blade angle "on the fly"?



I happen to have a few 10-15' pieces of 2" strap that were on a set of 3000# WLL ratchet straps (they were 25-30' long and I only needed 10-15')... I'll run those.

Thanks

Aaron Z

Yes the tube does come off in V mode....I'm not sure a typical electrical linear actuator could hold up to the type of abuse a plow takes and adding a true hydraulic ram would get pricey quick...you'd need rams...relief valves...a beefier mounting surface...some for of remote to control the hydraulics...a manifold for your hydraulics..an electric over hydraulic pump.....lines and a good bit of engineering to make that happen. By the time you get done it may be a better route to buy a hydraulic V plow from the beginning...the Boss is very expensive option but well built although it would be a bit too heavy for a RTV 500..There was another company offering a lighter duty plow with a hydraulic V that still used the winch to lift the plow but it was also pricey (around $2500 I think....maybe it was the brand Fuse???)


On the 66" vs 72" decision that would depend on how heavy the snow was.....I only ran out of power a couple times with my RTV 500 pushing snow with the 66" V plow which most people said I was foolish for putting on a RTV 500 because it was "too big" but 99% of the time I could have as easily pushed a 72" plow I'm sure. If you get a fair amount of wet snow or rain mix I would stick with the 66" but if most of your storms are light and fluffy I'd consider the 72'

 

[RoyJackson]

I'm the guy who bought DIXIEDOG's Eagle Plow.

Definitely heed his advice if you buy the Eagle plow.

I'll add a few things:
a. Use Fluid Film (or equivalent) on anything that hinges...makes life much easier when angling or reconfiguring the plow (to Vee or scoop)
b. Put a couple hundred lbs of ballast in the bed. I used 4 (50 lb) sand bags.
c. IF you go for skid shoes, expect to remove them if you use any configuration (Vee or scoop) other then the straight blade since the skid shoes use the same mounting brackets used for the Vee or scoop configuration. I've plowed my drive as well as my neighbor's drive. Both are asphalt and I haven't seen any damage from using the plow without the skid shoes.
d. When raising the plow, raise it just enough to clear the surface. It's pretty easy to raise it high enough to jam the winch fairlead with the strap hook.

Since I am a novice using a plow (I always used my FEL and/or a rear blade previously), there have been a number of PMs between DIXIEDOG and I. He's offered good advice and, again, I suggest you do heed that advice.
BTW, I have an 855D...same machine as DIXIEDOG except mine is a diesel. The width of the plow hasn't been a problem even when angled, but I haven't used the Vee or scoop configurations yet.

If you do buy an Eagle plow, installing the mounting plate is a three handed job. A little help when installing it would be advisable.

 

[aczlan]

Yes the tube does come off in V mode....I'm not sure a typical electrical linear actuator could hold up to the type of abuse a plow takes and adding a true hydraulic ram would get pricey quick...you'd need rams...relief valves...a beefier mounting surface...some for of remote to control the hydraulics...a manifold for your hydraulics..an electric over hydraulic pump.....lines and a good bit of engineering to make that happen. By the time you get done it may be a better route to buy a hydraulic V plow from the beginning...the Boss is very expensive option but well built although it would be a bit too heavy for a RTV 500..There was another company offering a lighter duty plow with a hydraulic V that still used the winch to lift the plow but it was also pricey (around $2500 I think....maybe it was the brand Fuse???)

Ouch, $2600 vs $750? For the difference, we can probably get out and move the blade by hand...
Looking at parts, it would be ~$700 for a pump, valve and cylinders to do it myself (all prices are new from Surplus center). Figure another $150 in hoses, pins, etc and a few hours with the welder and grinder... Alternatively, a pair of DC linear actuators (1000# static load, 3000# dynamic load) would be around $500...

On the 66" vs 72" decision that would depend on how heavy the snow was.....I only ran out of power a couple times with my RTV 500 pushing snow with the 66" V plow which most people said I was foolish for putting on a RTV 500 because it was "too big" but 99% of the time I could have as easily pushed a 72" plow I'm sure. If you get a fair amount of wet snow or rain mix I would stick with the 66" but if most of your storms are light and fluffy I'd consider the 72'

We don't get a lot of big storms and in those cases, I think we would be starting in V mode anyways and if the RTV couldn't cut it, we have the B7500 with a loader... Where I see it being more of a help is pushing back banks faster than can be done with the loader. When we try to push banks with the 60" straight blade on the BX2660 we tend to get stuck as the blade doesn't stick out very far past the wheels when its angled.
Did you run into any issues with bending push tubes? I seem to recall seeing somewhere one brand was having issues with bent push tubes.

Aaron Z

 

[aczlan]

I'm the guy who bought DIXIEDOG's Eagle Plow.
Definitely heed his advice if you buy the Eagle plow.
I'll add a few things:
a. Use Fluid Film (or equivalent) on anything that hinges...makes life much easier when angling or reconfiguring the plow (to Vee or scoop)
b. Put a couple hundred lbs of ballast in the bed. I used 4 (50 lb) sand bags.
c. IF you go for skid shoes, expect to remove them if you use any configuration (Vee or scoop) other then the straight blade since the skid shoes use the same mounting brackets used for the Vee or scoop configuration. I've plowed my drive as well as my neighbor's drive. Both are asphalt and I haven't seen any damage from using the plow without the skid shoes.
d. When raising the plow, raise it just enough to clear the surface. It's pretty easy to raise it high enough to jam the winch fairlead with the strap hook.
Since I am a novice using a plow (I always used my FEL and/or a rear blade previously), there have been a number of PMs between DIXIEDOG and I. He's offered good advice and, again, I suggest you do heed that advice.
BTW, I have an 855D...same machine as DIXIEDOG except mine is a diesel. The width of the plow hasn't been a problem even when angled, but I haven't used the Vee or scoop configurations yet.
If you do buy an Eagle plow, installing the mounting plate is a three handed job. A little help when installing it would be advisable.

Good to know. I would probbaly use a rubber edge (stall mat under the cutting edge) rather than skid shoes especially if they have to come off to change the plow angle...
How many options are there for plow angle?

Aaron Z

 

[RoyJackson]

Good to know. I would probbaly use a rubber edge (stall mat under the cutting edge) rather than skid shoes especially if they have to come off to change the plow angle...
How many options are there for plow angle?

Aaron Z

Two angles (both to left and right)...I'm estimating it's 15 and 30 degrees.
You wouldn't have to remove the skid shoes if just angling the straight plow...only when you us it in Vee or scoop.

More information at their website:
American Manufacturing - Home

I'm another that just doesn't want to spend $2K-3K on a plow just to do limited clearing on my drive and the neighbor's drive. It only takes a few seconds to get out of the UTV and angle the blade. BTW, the spring-loaded pin that locks the blade in position is definitely one of the places you want to use Fluid Film.

You asked DIXIEDOG this:

Did you run into any issues with bending push tubes? I seem to recall seeing somewhere one brand was having issues with bent push tubes.

Yep, he has replaced the push tube at least once. I have both the bent push tube (which doesn't really cause any problems...I'm using it now) as well as the replacement tube DIXIEDOG bought. Come warmer weather (when I dismount the plow). I'll beef up the push tubes.

 

[Tkblacktail]

All I have to plow on my driveway so far this year is moss...:confused3:

With stock tires, I have to weld a 6" drop (from under the front bumper) onto the mount in order to get the straight-blade to work properly (stay level when fully turning the blade left or right).

Those tracks look awesome on the RTV500!