Angled snow plow pushing the tractor around?

Steve_Miller · Dec 19, 2014

Experience will help in plowing snow. If it is that deep (too much for your weigh) then either raise the blade up and make a few passes or try and find the angle that suits best. Shoes on the plow will make a ton of difference. Keeping the blade edge from touching the surface will help immensely. If the blade edge rides on the ground it will be just like a skate edge and follow where ever it is pointed.

Steve

RockyNY · Feb 13, 2015

I have a Mahindra 4035 with loaded rear tires, total weight with loader and plow is almost 7,500 lbs. I have a FEL mounted Meyers ST90 (7.5') plow with hydraulic angle. No chains on the tractor, with R4 tires. It works great, but I do have occasional problems steering if the snow is heavy or deep. The only time I get pushed sideways is if I run into a pile with the blade angled. You can see pictures of my plow build here:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/snow-removal/252343-another-qa-plow-build-thread.html

skyhook · Feb 13, 2015

Rocky, did you ever get your relief crossover valve set to the right pressure.
Hows it working out for you regarding "the cylinders" giving out when they should.

RockyNY · Feb 13, 2015

I ended up leaving it at the stock setting. The crossover seems to activate easily, like if I plow up to a snow pile straight on when the blade is angled, the blade will straighten out. If it's wet slippery snow, the front end might slide some as well. The only problem I have with the hydraulic angle on my setup is that the angle moves slow compared to how I've seen pickup truck plows angling. It will load the tractor down when angling, too. I'm not sure if my hoses are undersized or of the crossover valve is too restricted.

skyhook said:
Rocky, did you ever get your relief crossover valve set to the right pressure.
Hows it working out for you regarding "the cylinders" giving out when they should.

George2615 · Feb 13, 2015

RockyNY said:
I ended up leaving it at the stock setting. The crossover seems to activate easily, like if I plow up to a snow pile straight on when the blade is angled, the blade will straighten out. If it's wet slippery snow, the front end might slide some as well. The only problem I have with the hydraulic angle on my setup is that the angle moves slow compared to how I've seen pickup truck plows angling. It will load the tractor down when angling, too. I'm not sure if my hoses are undersized or of the crossover valve is too restricted.

What size hoses are you running? Also what RPM. Low RPM will cause the blade to angle slowly.
Angling the blade should not bog down the tractor. Did you install any flow restrictors in line.
I ran 1/2" hose from one of my rear remotes to couplers on the front loader arms. Then 3/8" hose from the couplers to the crossover relief and 1/4" hose from the relief to the cylinders. I run at 1900-2000 RPM plowing snow in med range.

RockyNY · Feb 13, 2015

George2615 said:
What size hoses are you running? Also what RPM. Low RPM will cause the blade to angle slowly.
Angling the blade should not bog down the tractor. Did you install any flow restrictors in line.
I ran 1/2" hose from one of my rear remotes to couplers on the front loader arms. Then 3/8" hose from the couplers to the crossover relief and 1/4" hose from the relief to the cylinders. I run at 1900-2000 RPM plowing snow in med range.

At idle, the blade will angle slowly, as I would expect, however it noticeably loads down the engine. High rpm still loads the tractor but the blade angles faster. No flow restrictors. It's 1/4" hose from the rear connections to the front, I can't remember what size short hoses I used. The 1/4" hose was on sale at Surplus Center at the time, it's probably just way too small.

Amvcane · Feb 13, 2015

RockyNY said:
At idle, the blade will angle slowly, as I would expect, however it noticeably loads down the engine. High rpm still loads the tractor but the blade angles faster. No flow restrictors. It's 1/4" hose from the rear connections to the front, I can't remember what size short hoses I used. The 1/4" hose was on sale at Surplus Center at the time, it's probably just way too small.

Is your hydraulic fluid up to temp?
When I first lift the loader on my CK35 to back out of an unheated garage the tractor almost stalls from 1500 rpm and loader moves very slow. After an hour of just driving and running the rear snow blower the fluid is up to temp, but there is still cold fluid in the loader pistons. If I try to raise or curl the bucket now the tractor does not try to stall but the loader moves very slowly while the relief sings. I am guessing that the thin fluid is having a tough time pushing the thick fluid in the loader pistons and it goes into relief. After a couple of full cycles of all the loader pistons everything is fine (warm fluid throughout the whole system).

George2615 · Feb 13, 2015

RockyNY said:
At idle, the blade will angle slowly, as I would expect, however it noticeably loads down the engine. High rpm still loads the tractor but the blade angles faster. No flow restrictors. It's 1/4" hose from the rear connections to the front, I can't remember what size short hoses I used. The 1/4" hose was on sale at Surplus Center at the time, it's probably just way too small.

Just my opinion that you may be correct thinking that the hoses are too small. Hydraulic fluid thickens up when cold and you are trying to push cold fluid through 15-16' of 1/4" hose. I think the 1/4" hose is restricting the flow / volume of fluid trying to get to the plow and probably bog down the pump almost dead heading because it has a hard time pushing through 1/4" hose. For about $80 you could up size your hose to 3/8"or 1/2" at Surplus Center or TSC.

RockyNY · Feb 13, 2015

George2615 said:
Just my opinion that you may be correct thinking that the hoses are too small. Hydraulic fluid thickens up when cold and you are trying to push cold fluid through 15-16' of 1/4" hose. I think the 1/4" hose is restricting the flow / volume of fluid trying to get to the plow and probably bog down the pump almost dead heading because it has a hard time pushing through 1/4" hose. For about $80 you could up size your hose to 3/8"or 1/2" at Surplus Center or TSC.

Thanks for the input. I'll probably finish out the year with what I have, then change things around before next season.

tcreeley · Feb 13, 2015

I have a straight 7' plow for my tractor that I mount to the loader. I noticed with it that when I was pushing snow it would slip to the side at times. Now I just scrape the snow with the bucket and don't bother with the plow.
I scrape with the bucket angled and light on the front end, with the back wheels with chains doing the pushing. My tractor travels straight until the snow builds up or I am over ice and there is a slope to the drive.
On a flat surface I go straight. On a sloped surface I follow the slope of the surface. I correct by easing up on the angle of the bucket. My front tires and steering don't come into play until I almost level the bucket.
Generally when I am done, I am down to the frozen grit of the gravel in my plowing.
I wonder if some of the folks trying to hold a line are also sliding with the slope.