Best way to float SSQA plow?

[chim]

Below are a few threads on front plows. I use chains to float the blade only nearly all the time. The frame is built tough enough so if max scraping is needed I can either drop the weight of the loader arms on the plow or even raise the front of the tractor on the blade.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/408923-setback-underslung-ssqa-snow-plow.html

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/407444-ssqa-snow-plow.html

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/snow-removal/420681-plow-loader-arm-versus-sub.html

 

[airbiscuit]

I converted an old Meyer snow plow to SSQA. I did it wrong. I built a rigid vertical pin for the plow to angle on. Used the two cylinders that were on the plow. This requires "float" on the FEL to be used. Too much weight. Requires large shoes. Still when plowing on unfrozen ground the shoes will track the driveway.

In a do over, I'd retain the Meyer system and let the plow hinge and carry it with a chain.

Live and learn.....

The best mods I've seen retain the Meyer system and let the plow hinge and carry it with a chain, but they have the bottom mounts (that the pins slide through) underslung (below and slightly behind the SSQA mounting plate). That keeps the plow closer to the tractor, and it will float with the chain, or you can lower the loader for down force.

 

[BoylermanCT]

Floating with a chain works really well. I can curl the SSQA and pick up the plow 18" or so very quickly, faster than you can raise the FEL arms.

 

[chim]

The best mods I've seen retain the Meyer system and let the plow hinge and carry it with a chain, but they have the bottom mounts (that the pins slide through) underslung (below and slightly behind the SSQA mounting plate). That keeps the plow closer to the tractor, and it will float with the chain, or you can lower the loader for down force.

Works for me. As mentioned before, bringing the blade closer to the tractor makes it less of a "rudder" in heavier snow. With the bottom trip edge on the Fisher plow there was an unexpected benefit. That was the ability to keep the mounting structure higher behind the blade. On one build found while doing research the guy had to add a couple skids on the frame to keep it from scraping the driveway because it hung so low.

It helps to have the ability to get the height of the loader arms repeatable where the frame of the plow is level with the surface of the driveway. Doing that keeps the edge of the blade flat on the surface being plowed whether the blade is straight or angled to either side. If the frame isn't level the blade wants to put one end down when angled.

 

[LouNY]

Works for me. As mentioned before, bringing the blade closer to the tractor makes it less of a "rudder" in heavier snow. With the bottom trip edge on the Fisher plow there was an unexpected benefit. That was the ability to keep the mounting structure higher behind the blade. On one build found while doing research the guy had to add a couple skids on the frame to keep it from scraping the driveway because it hung so low.

It helps to have the ability to get the height of the loader arms repeatable where the frame of the plow is level with the surface of the driveway. Doing that keeps the edge of the blade flat on the surface being plowed whether the blade is straight or angled to either side. If the frame isn't level the blade wants to put one end down when angled.

A setup like this is the best way to go with a ssqa blade in my opinion.
I should have done the same, instead I just used my checkbook because my dealer made me a very good deal.
View attachment IMG_20171108_144913379.jpg View attachment IMG_20180205_104002041_HDR.jpg
As can be seen coming straight off the ssqa extends the blade a long way in front of the tractor,
which makes it more sensitive to the movement of the front end and with very limited float in the actual blade,
it will bury itself if the driveway is not froze hard.

 

[pcustoms]

Well last weekend it was 20 and we has snow, but it's been in the 70's this weekend and it's the last free one I'll have for a month so finished up this project.

Underslung, floats on a chain and has power angle off the 3rd function.

 

[ovrszd]

Very nice!!! Anxious to hear how it works!!!

 

[LouNY]

Well last weekend it was 20 and we has snow, but it's been in the 70's this weekend and it's the last free one I'll have for a month so finished up this project.

Underslung, floats on a chain and has power angle off the 3rd function.

Looks good

 

[Gordon Gould]

Well last weekend it was 20 and we has snow, but it's been in the 70's this weekend and it's the last free one I'll have for a month so finished up this project.

Underslung, floats on a chain and has power angle off the 3rd function.

Nice job :thumbsup: I think you will be happy with that. One thing I found out using mine was that it is easy to set the plow frame parallel to the road and at the right height working on the ground but not so easy from the seat. You need it set this way so that the cutting edge stays level when angled and for proper chain slack. I could start out plowing with it set correctly but after using the FEL controls and blade to push up and stack piles of snow it was tough to reset the blade for best performance from the seat because you cant see. With the under slung design the FEL height and SSQA angle effect each other, ie changing the SSQA angle also raises or lowers the height of the push beam and plow pins. To get a consistent setting I used some aluminum tape and a piece of heat shrink to make a line on the bucket level indicator to set the right SSQA plate angle and a couple magnet rods on the loader arms so I could set the FEL height.







gg

 

[Gordon Gould]

I need to add that I neglected to say that I stole the use of magnetic markers idea show above from chim. I just adapted his idea to my tractor. Sorry.

gg