Truck snow plow to Tractor SSQA Conversion

[sdboers]

G'day,
After reading so many other threads on snow plow conversions (and learning a lot!) I started my own conversion today. No welding yet - just some cutting, grinding and dry fitting so far.

I decided to go with a clevis hitch receiver as the angle point for the plow. Seemed cheaper and easier than making my own and I know it will take a ton of weight. I'm going to slot it into some 4" structural c-channel - I just needed to grind the shoulders down slightly in the receiver.


There we go - that seems to fit pretty well...


I cut a 2"x2" piece to brace the back of the receiver and stiffen the walls of the c-channel


Added a couple ears that will be drilled where the hyraulic cylinders pin in and a cross brace.


Cut a 2"x2" tube which I will mount as far forward as possible while still allowing full angle of the blade. This will be the up/down pivot point when the frame is slung under the quick attach plate. Added a d-ring as well where the chains will attach to float the blade instead of the loader arms.


Cut the pieces to strengthen up the quick attach plate.


Now - nothing has been welded yet - so I'm not at the point of no return. If you've got any extra advice to pass along - NOW IS THE TIME!!

Sean.

 

[majorwager]

No clue what it is you are attempting to accomplish ?

 

[Gordon Gould]

Looks real good to me ! What size blade are you going to push ??

gg

 

[sdboers]

What size blade are you going to push ??

gg

Picked up an old Fisher (I think) 8 foot blade. Weighs a bloody ton!


Sean

 

[sdboers]

No clue what it is you are attempting to accomplish ?

Sorry I wasn't more clear.

I picked up an old truck plow - an 8 foot angle plow blade. What I'm trying to do in the pictures above is weld up a new a-frame that provides a pivot point for the plow at the front (left-right) which will attach to a quick attach plate to be picked up by the tractor. Up-down pivot will be under the quick attach plate allowing the blade to float on it's own weight - loader arms will be fixed in position.

Sean.

 

[George2615]

If your tractor has rear remotes you can use one pair of them to control the left / right angling of the plow. I ran hoses from one of my rear remotes to the front to angle my truck snow blade, run a hyd. thumb, or power a QA McMillan auger.

 

[LouNY]

Looking good, I like your laying it out before welding.

 

[sdboers]

Lets just say I'm hoping to be upgraded to "novice welder". I'm no where near good enough to build it on the fly. Laying it out will give me a good chance of building it straight! lol... I was looking for material in the barn and came across the sheet of OSB sheathing with all the lines on it - figured that would be a great reference to line everything up.

 

[dstig1]

Nice start! I would have to say that you are into massive overkill territory on the QA plate reinforcement though. But up to you...

 

[sdboers]

I agree that the QA plate overlay is overkill. The horizontal members are 3x2 x 1/4 which seemed about right to me. The vertical members are 6" c-channel and massive overkill - but this was leftover from building my sawmill last year. Free was better than buying something smaller, so I stuck with the 6" C.

I don't mind the plate being overbuilt either as I think it may serve another purpose. I will be welding on two grab hooks to the top horizontal piece for the chains that will float the blade. I figure if I pull the two pins where the blade pivots and drop the a-frame - then I have a nice strong QA plate with two grab hooks. I can hang two log tongs from them and use it to pick up logs and move them around.

Here's a question for you though... The a-frame will pivot beneath the QA plate on "ears" that will be drilled and pinned through. I was originally going to go with 1" thick steel for that. They didn't have any on hand, so offered 3/4" - but accidentally sold me 5/8". Do you think 5/8" will be strong enough for the 6 pieces where the blade will pivot up and down?



Sean.