Here's the link to the grapple build. It's long and the first real progress is on post #67 http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/330358-grapple-1-lid-2-a-7.html
Anyone Bent Their FEL Using a Snow Plow
- Thread starter Hilbilly
- Start date
- Views: 69658
Rustyiron
Super Member
I just read your grapple build, very nice. Now that you have that one under your belt, you'll be looking for a good winter shop project:thumbsup:
PS for picking up logs from the end (your grapple thread) I welded a pc of #10 rebar across the back of my grapple, held out from the back about 4" to just use like a heel to catch the top of the log. The grapple lids are not used and the little space the rod take up is meaningless while handling both brush & logs.
Not the best pic, but it's not rocket science either
PS for picking up logs from the end (your grapple thread) I welded a pc of #10 rebar across the back of my grapple, held out from the back about 4" to just use like a heel to catch the top of the log. The grapple lids are not used and the little space the rod take up is meaningless while handling both brush & logs.
Not the best pic, but it's not rocket science either
450
New Member
Is the pipe used for cross support one piece or multiple short pieces on the bottom part of the grapple? Thanks
I suspect this ? is directed to me and the answer is ......... multiple short pieces. The first time I seen a grapple with the cross braces I thought the same thing. Factory built ones may be one piece but my grapple was already done. So the only way I could add the extra reinforcement was to cut multiple pieces of tubing. Not sure which way is the correct way. That just happened to be the way I ended up doing it.
Rustyiron, I just read the thread again and it brings back some great memories. I really enjoyed that learning experience. I also like your idea for grabbing logs.
Admin: How do I redirect this post and the previous one to the grapple thread? I'd like to keep this one on topic, plus I'd like to add to the original thread.
The results are in ......... but first a couple of pics of the Frankenplow (temporary setup).
The first pic shows the tabs I welded to the bottom sides of the plow and the second pic shows the temporary float setup. I didn't want to weld more stuff to the plow until I found out if this system would address the issues I was having. I had a lifting strap that was close to the right length but it had loops on both ends. So for the temp setup I welded some bolts to the top sides of the SSQA plate and zap strapped the lifting strap to those bolts.
Now for the results. I ran all the way down the driveway and back up, to test it out. That's 2 miles. First going very slowly to make sure nothing was going to come apart and to make sure I wasn't going to have steering issues like I did before. The before and after difference is absolutely AMAZING. I put the plow down and adjusted the loader arms so they were a little higher than on my previous runs (without the float) and watched to make sure the float strap was loose. By the time I got to the bottom I think I adjusted the loader a total of maybe 5 times. No constant fiddling with it and no steering problems unless I got into the side banks too hard. But that only pushed the tractor back out a bit. Not like before when I got the loader too low and the plow would dig removing the weight from the front tires and the tractor would shoot across the driveway. Very scary when it shoots towards the steep bank on the low side of the driveway. Not only was it easier to operate, it also did a better job. Without the float I would sometimes bump the loader and go too high, which would leave more snow behind. With the float system I didn't have to fight the loader to get the plow to work. It did the work on its own, following the contour of the driveway through the dips and over the humps. I could also feel the plow dig when I got to the places where I had the loader too high on my previous runs and left snow behind.
Now I have plow that is suited to my driveway conditions.:cool2:
Next I will need to figure out a permanent float system. I'm leaning toward the style HLA uses on their bigger plows as I think that would be relatively simple to add to the plow setup I have now.
The first pic shows the tabs I welded to the bottom sides of the plow and the second pic shows the temporary float setup. I didn't want to weld more stuff to the plow until I found out if this system would address the issues I was having. I had a lifting strap that was close to the right length but it had loops on both ends. So for the temp setup I welded some bolts to the top sides of the SSQA plate and zap strapped the lifting strap to those bolts.
Now for the results. I ran all the way down the driveway and back up, to test it out. That's 2 miles. First going very slowly to make sure nothing was going to come apart and to make sure I wasn't going to have steering issues like I did before. The before and after difference is absolutely AMAZING. I put the plow down and adjusted the loader arms so they were a little higher than on my previous runs (without the float) and watched to make sure the float strap was loose. By the time I got to the bottom I think I adjusted the loader a total of maybe 5 times. No constant fiddling with it and no steering problems unless I got into the side banks too hard. But that only pushed the tractor back out a bit. Not like before when I got the loader too low and the plow would dig removing the weight from the front tires and the tractor would shoot across the driveway. Very scary when it shoots towards the steep bank on the low side of the driveway. Not only was it easier to operate, it also did a better job. Without the float I would sometimes bump the loader and go too high, which would leave more snow behind. With the float system I didn't have to fight the loader to get the plow to work. It did the work on its own, following the contour of the driveway through the dips and over the humps. I could also feel the plow dig when I got to the places where I had the loader too high on my previous runs and left snow behind.
Now I have plow that is suited to my driveway conditions.:cool2:
Next I will need to figure out a permanent float system. I'm leaning toward the style HLA uses on their bigger plows as I think that would be relatively simple to add to the plow setup I have now.
I’m glad you absorbed all the feedback and adjusted to your situation. I knew the floating plow would work much better for your drive. There are pros and cons for both designs, but for uneven drives the pros of the float win.
450
New Member
Glad to hear you got the results you wanted and I’m sure you will figure out a permanent float fix. Be sure to post pictures of the permanent fix. Thanks
George2615
Super Member
Also glad you're happy with the results. Keep us informed.
Rustyiron
Super Member
I'm not sure who your new best friend is, you plow or your welder? :laughing:
Nice simple fix with no loss to the factory use of the new blade what so ever.
Nice simple fix with no loss to the factory use of the new blade what so ever.
Ford850,
What are some of the cons of the float system. I did some reading and found one of the issues is the inability to apply down pressure but that can be overcome with a float like Rustyiron showed us in one of his pics. The HLA float system would also overcome that. Are there other issues I should be aware of?
Rustiron,
I wanted to preserve the plow in its original state as much as possible, in case this didn't work out. As you noted, it can still be used as a fixed plow. Worst case scenario I cut off the protruding part of the tabs and call the remaining part a stiffener. A little grinding and paint and it would still look original.
I think my welder is a better friend than the plow. I've had this Lincoln migpak 15 welder for a long time. I'm thinking 15 or 20 years. Its a 175A mig and I love it. I think the rated duty cycle at full power is about 30% but when I was building the grapple I probably ran it for 30 minutes at a time with only short breaks to change positions. I suck at stick welding but so far everything I've made with the mig is still holding together.
What are some of the cons of the float system. I did some reading and found one of the issues is the inability to apply down pressure but that can be overcome with a float like Rustyiron showed us in one of his pics. The HLA float system would also overcome that. Are there other issues I should be aware of?
Rustiron,
I wanted to preserve the plow in its original state as much as possible, in case this didn't work out. As you noted, it can still be used as a fixed plow. Worst case scenario I cut off the protruding part of the tabs and call the remaining part a stiffener. A little grinding and paint and it would still look original.
I think my welder is a better friend than the plow. I've had this Lincoln migpak 15 welder for a long time. I'm thinking 15 or 20 years. Its a 175A mig and I love it. I think the rated duty cycle at full power is about 30% but when I was building the grapple I probably ran it for 30 minutes at a time with only short breaks to change positions. I suck at stick welding but so far everything I've made with the mig is still holding together.
