Basic pusher blade for my '47 Massey

[Coolnorth]

After being rushed into trying to build something for last winter and having attempt # 1 fail miserably, attempt # 2 barely make it through the winter, I am at attempt # 3 which seems to be the right direction.
My Dad found a blade in a friend's yard. It had been an "on again off again" project for the guy - you could see the different attempts made on it over time, but the pivot plates were out of alignment and not parallel with the cutting edge. The blade form itself was excellent in curve, looking like the original idea was right on target, able to roll the material it is pushing.

The next thing was to adapt it to my 1947 Massey Harris Model 20. With lots of scrap metal in the yard to choose from, I found the best thing to use once I realized it was 2 matched sections from a Chevy truck frame, 1/2 of a radio rack base, some 2" angle, 3" x 1/2" plate and 4" channel iron. Also some other bits and pieces like 3/4" and 1" pipe, 3/4" round bar, 1" round bar.

I don't have photos of it going together, but closer to complete photos, below.

The 2 sections of truck frame are cut from the front of a 4 wheel drive truck, flipped upside down, with the rack base plate welded in across the front of the assembly, 2" angle welded across for bracing underneath and near the back, plate steel added out as a "nose" to give room for the blade to pivot. I've used the spring shackle mounts for the pivot bushings with some reinforcement.

The last major part of the project was to reshape the blade itself to decrease weight and give it a bit more of a "look". I'm no pro welder and I've seen much more professional work on the forum. but after trying this assembly out and having it work is quite promising!

A few things left to do like add some points for adjusting the blade angle, maybe a quick-swing arm for holding the blade up while being stored, and also to upgrade to hydraulic lift, not electric winch.

 

[KennyV]

Coolnorth...
Cool project, looks good and should hold up to most anything your '47 will do.
Rivets along the top edge are great, not many appreciate the practical, strong and functional 'rivet' .

 

[ninefinger]

That is a nice looking unit. when you mount it be sure to post the pictures. And the "look" came out just right.

 

[Coolnorth]

Thanks for the compliments, guys. The rivets are part of a large clamp assembly from a wood-worker's shop. I needed to finish the top edge of the blade itself and that looked pretty "aggressive" to have those rivets sticking out. I used my MIG to weld them into place. The thing is that the edge of your blade never carries much material during a push and if you look at a Caterpillar dozer, there is a piece added at the top center of the blade, giving that similar look.

Here's a couple of pictures of the mount on the front of the tractor.

Graham

In case you're wondering, this tractor is a resto and came with no engine bay sheet metal - hence the odd hood.

 

[Farmerford]

Neat job on the Massey! We had a Model 30 of the same era on our farm in the 1950's and I recall that it was a pretty good tractor.

 

[Coolnorth]

My Dad's is a Model 30, early 50's model. He enjoys his and it works quite well.
Has a FEL (homemade trip style) with blade attachment. Had a ROPS installed with a complete roof incorporated.

 

[bx24]

That blade setup is really cool. I especially love the old truck frame. Nothin more satisfying than something you built yourself ....

 

[Luremaker]

Graham, looks like you are ready for the snow. Great job!

 

[Coolnorth]

It's ready for snow, sand, clay, gravel. It works remarkably well!

Here's some more photos of the "thing" and yes, it is very satisfying to use the stuff kicking around the yard and get a great product from it! Thanks!

The pivot photo shows the inside construction of the frame mounted part of the assembly, but it is a poor photo re: depth/perception due to the slag and welding burns on the pre-existing paint which is a bit messy.

On the "max travel" photo, it shows the cross member touching the bolts on the tractor frame - I will be adding some sort of rubber bumper there to cushion the upper stop point.

 

[Jim2]

Nice job!

I'm working on the same project--well nearly any way. I've got a 1945 Massey 81 narrow-front, row-crop that was my Grandfather's tractor. I added hydraulics to mine last winter, but I haven't made hardly any progress on building a snow blade. I like your blade, but I need a much different design because the 81 is a narrow front.

The ol' 81 is still running the original 6V electrics, so it wouldn't be able to handle that electric winch you've got anyway. I've also had a lot of problems getting parts for the distributor (rotor and cap). I think your 20 uses a later model distributor than my 81. I've got a later model distributor sitting on my bench waiting to be swapped in for the original when I get some time and my brother shows up with the timing light.

Are you serious about adding hydraulics? I can take some pictures of mine if you're interested. My method is kind of complicated, so you may not want to do it. . . .

I see your tractor may be a lot easier to put hydraulics on than mine was anyway. You've got a cover plate on the front of your engine opposite the governor. You'd probably just need to get an original hydraulic pump, and it would bolt right up! The 81 has the governor point towards the front of the tractor. I would have had to find a lot more parts to use OEM equipment.

Jim