Snow Pusher Build

[bunkydad]

I am ready to weld on a QA plate to the plow blade but was hoping to get some suggestions on angle and attachment points. I think the best thing is to weld the plate on first then add the sides. Any comments (photos of your snow pushers) would be greatly welcomed.

 

[skyhook]

There are allot of good threads on these types of builds, don't forget to leave room for your trip springs.
Edit, since this is just a pusher, i guess you won't need springs.

 

[CJONE]

With the tractor level, drop your loader all the way down, then raise it at least 4". That will give you the mounting hight of the plate. The drop allows the pusher to stay on the ground when you go over a rise or hill. I like to use my level indicator to set the angle of the blade to straight up and down. Your plate may have to be angled to do this but with the sides on it you can use the indicator to have a reference for level. You are putting sides on the pusher, right? I don't have any pics of my pusher but it is a heavy duty skid steer model. CJ

 

[bunkydad]

Excellent. That's just the kind of information I was hoping for. Thank you. I will make sure to set the height and the angle (which I would not have thought about). Yes, I plan on adding sides. Would 3/8" plate for the sides be enough or should I weld on 1/2"? I saw a few other pics on the forum that show the reinforcement on the sides and some height adjust-ability for the side shoes. I think I'll add those to keep the actual blade off the ground about 3/4 inch. (gravel driveway and parking lot)

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/228891-snow-pusher-build.html

 

[CJONE]

Mine are 1/2" and about 30" long with one brace. With that being said 3/8" would be more than heavy enough for a compact tractor. just run your brace within 2" of the bottom of the front of the plate. My skids are 4" wide about 30" long and bolted to the outside back area of the side plates. You have to be careful around stuff so you don't catch them but it is not a big deal. CJ

 

[bunkydad]

Excellent. Thank you.

 

[CJONE]

Go to Advantage attachments and you can see the unit I have. Looks like they dropped the side plates to 3/8" so 1/2" was overkill. It's been a great unit and still looks new after 2 seasons. CJ

 

[bunkydad]

Wow! What a nice unit! The photos gave me what I needed to start the project. I see they put a "bar" across the top to pull snow backwards from buildings and such. Nice idea. Thank you again.

Advantage Attachments Inc

 

[arrow]

It seems bunk that if the plate is "kicked out" some creating a 20* angle or so to your QH, it may make attaching easier. That's about the angle on my bucket back. I almost did what you're doing (building a pusher from a snow plow blade) but decided to try this system out first. If I did, I would want bottom supports to kick out the attachment point the same angle as the bucket. Mahindra even recommends any attachments such as pallet forks, etc. for their machine, have this angle as well. Don't know if it will make a difference or not. Just going by factory recommendation.

 

[bunkydad]

Got it. So I have to come up with a way to mount the flat plate to the circular plow and kick out the bottom for a little more angle?

 

[arrow]

Got it. So I have to come up with a way to mount the flat plate to the circular plow and kick out the bottom for a little more angle?

Yes. From what i've seen, the bottom is kicked out with some 1/2" plating like an 8"x6" piece. I'm trying to remember where I saw this. If I do, I'll post the pic.

 

[CJONE]

Got it. So I have to come up with a way to mount the flat plate to the circular plow and kick out the bottom for a little more angle?

Position the blade straight up and down with the side pushers flat on the ground. Move your tilt indicator to the flat position on your loader. This will give you the angle of your adapter to weld on the pusher. Again don't forget to raise your loader at least 4" from the lowest position. More is ok but don't go any lower than 4" or you won't be able to follow contours or drop-offs. As far as mount thickness I would use 1/4" or 5/16" and brace it. If you have 3/8" [maybe left over from your sides] or 1/2" it is fine but way overkill. Remember when you box something in it is way stronger than just a couple of plates top and bottom. CJ

 

[bunkydad]

I started welding the SSQA plate to the plow blade today. I used some old 1/4 plate and the plasma to cut out 4 pieces to tie them together.
I took your advice and kept the FEL up about 4 inches and leveled it with the ground.

 

[George2615]

Position the blade straight up and down with the side pushers flat on the ground. Move your tilt indicator to the flat position on your loader. This will give you the angle of your adapter to weld on the pusher. Again don't forget to raise your loader at least 4" from the lowest position. More is ok but don't go any lower than 4" or you won't be able to follow contours or drop-offs. As far as mount thickness I would use 1/4" or 5/16" and brace it. If you have 3/8" [maybe left over from your sides] or 1/2" it is fine but way overkill. Remember when you box something in it is way stronger than just a couple of plates top and bottom. CJ

I think 3/8" and 1/2" are way overkill for the sides. I have a ready made snow push blade and the sides are only 3/16" that are braced inside and across the top. I also added an adjustable height back drag bar across the top of mine using an old plow cutting edge. 3/8" or 1/2" would be good for the bottom skid shoes.

 

[bunkydad]

I have quite a bit of 1/4 plate laying around. As long as it's braced top and bottom, it should be fine for the sides, right?

 

[Rustyiron]

I have quite a bit of 1/4 plate laying around. As long as it's braced top and bottom, it should be fine for the sides, right?

Should be just fine. I used 1/4" and without inspecting "store bought" units, I thought that it was probably overkill. I did reinforce the top with a flat 2x3/8 bar and the front with some old 5/8" cutting edge. A well built skid shoe on the bottom takes care of that stiffening. (also made out of old c/e)

 

[George2615]

I think so. As you can see mine is 3/16" but is braced well. Top plate is a brace, Triangle gussets above the cutting edge, and the skid plates on the bottom. I'm sure the back drag bar I added braces the top front too.

 

[bunkydad]

Should I consider making the sides removable?

 

[CJONE]

I made my sides for my grapples wood box out of 3/16 and without bracing they bend very easily. I would say at least top and bottom for a pusher. As far as being removable? If you cant angle it, I cant see where it would help you. CJ