7' snowplow for TC30

[tcreeley]

I've got a 7' snowbear snow plow I want to use with my 2000 NH TC30 - 30hp. I'm thinking of cutting down the snowplow mount so that the mount sits inside the bucket pretty close. I plan to bolt the snowplow frame to the bucket using the holes in the bucket that are already there to add teeth to the bucket.
The snowplow would have some swivel play and hange about 3-4" below the edge of the bucket.
Then I figure I would unattach the two plow springs from where they mount to the bottom of the old snow plow frame and swing them up and hook them to the chain hook welded in the middle, onto the top of the bucket. That way if the cutting edge of the plow hits a rock - it can swivel a bit with the springs pulling against the bucket chain hook.
There already is a stop welded on the snow plow frame to prevent it from rocking the other way, but I could add something to the top if I need to.

It is a 7' snow plow blade - pretty light duty. The bucket is a 5' bucket on a 7308 FEL. Is the plow too wide for the bucket? Is it too big for the FEL? Is it too big for the TC30? We get 6-18 " of snow in a storm. The FEL is fine, but a plow is faster and I would like to use a plow.

I read that some FEL's broke the bell housing on TC30's. Mine looks fine, but I'm wondering why they broke- was it the operator doing funny stuff? Bad design/faulty parts? Or jury rigging stuff like I want to?
I figure that maybe using the underneath of the bucket to slam down on something might contribute to the bell housing breaking. I'm wondering if the snowplow is just too much of the wrong stress in the wrong place and will cost me here. What do you all think?
Thanks.

 

[beenthere]

It is the same size plow I put on my 32 hp tractor, but I didn't want mine on the FEL. Mounted it to the front frame using the front MMM frame mounts and the weight bracket. I think the hp is fine for a 7' plow, just you will need to decide if the FEL mount will work for you. I believe I could handle a 8' plow for most plowing jobs, but won't go that route ever.

 

[kennyd]

The only "problem" I see is the the plow will be so far out in front that steering control will be an issue. Think of it this way...what happens when you drive into a pile of dirt with the bucket? The front wheels come off the ground correct? This is because of where the hinge point of the loader is-far above the front axle. So when you are plowing snow with the blade angled, the front will get light and you will have no steering control (other than split brakes). Add to all that the side load it can place on the loader. If you try it-make sure that the trip spring on the plow still work.

 

[tcreeley]

My plan is to cut enough of the snowplow mount off that the plow sits just a couple of inches in front of the bucket. The remaining left over of the mount stick a foot or so into the bucket, the majority of it being cut off. I don't care if I lose the angling - never used it much even when it was on the truck. The plow used to lift with an electric winch, manual angle. After two winches and 3 control switches and 2 complete sets of wiring, I gave up and bought the tractor for snow removal, and I have plenty of other uses. (replaces the Farmall cub too that needs a clutch!). But I miss the speed of plowing!