building a snow plow

[CowboyUp]

Hello,

Thank you for the info. I am wondering if you would happen to know were I might be able to come up with that kind of pump. Also this is the kind of plow I am wanting to build. The cost of buying one is to much and I could probably build one half the price.

http://www.hiniker.com/snow_products/hp_cplow.html I also thought of building with all hydraulic levers instead of trying to use the electric controls. Wondering were I would be able to get the pump,levers,etc....any and all info is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

Jeff

 

[kennyd]

Surplus Center has a bunch of DC pumps, as well as everything else you would need. This kind of stuff is not cheap though....

Are you putting this on a truck?

 

[CowboyUp]

Hello,

Thank you for the site. I am wondering if the plow would work with air instead of hydraulics? That would be easier to build and less messy. And yes I am looking to build this for a truck. But I also want one for a tractor to. I am just trying to figure out how to make it work. Thank you for your time.

Jeff

 

[PILOON]

In answer to building for less $$, the reply would be 'for sure' as I did exactly that myself.
True I did not install hydraulics as I used my loader lift to accomplish the lifting and made the tilt manual.
It works for me! My cost was low $200's + about 20 hrs labor.
(search TBN, MT180D snowplow).

Any 2-3GPM hydraulic pump could be belt driven and do the job. Valves can be remotely operated with push-pull rods or cables. My chevy truck has the valves mounted on the left fender with cables into the dash with big knobs to 'push-pull' the controls. Has worked flawlessly for 6 years.

The real pump incorporates a built-in reservoir and would be available from any fisher plow dealer in the $300. range. Advantage is mainly in space savings and need to plumb a tank and associated lines. Down side is mounting brackets as they are vehicle specific and costly.

If you fabricate, best is to clone a proven design.

As to pneumatics, I doubt if there is any advantages as about same amount of plumbing is required plus consider the compressor and tank installation. Also I would not like the idea of a high pressure tank installed where salt could cause corroding. That would be a time bomb!

As to a hydraulic pump; many get good results using a powersteering pump.

Good luck

 

[Farwell]

In some situations air may be the answer but IMO hydraulics are probably much stronger and will do the work you need better. The equipment you need already exists for hydraulic cylinders, pumps and controls along with the technology. You will still need a compressor to drive the air cylinders along with everything else to control the plow so there may not be much of a savings going with air. Sort of sounds like re-inventing the wheel but if you already have the air equipment it may be worth a try.
Farwell

 

[bobodu]

Not to mention icing that could occur in a pneumatic setup.

 

[Maine_Polack]

PILOON,

My experiences differ with yours on the electric pump on a snow plow.

I bought new, a stock F-150, with a Fisher Plow in 1993. It has performed flawlessly for these past 12+ years. I plow an average of 1+ hours each storm. I have replaced the battery a couple of times, and have purchased a larger one than came with it new. Honestly I cannot tell you if the larger battery lasted any longer than the original. Just makes me feel better.

 

[sandman2234]

Belt driven hydraulic pumps can be found in strange places. How about on a golf course? (ebay)

Here is two of them, for example (scrolldown to pic's)
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=buildit&Number=788301&Forum=All_Forums&Words=david%20from%20jax&Match=And&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=1month&Main=787484&Search=true#Post788301

You just have to lucky enough to be close to them when they go up for sale.
I understand the reasons for most discussions on this board, but never have understood the facination with snow plows. Seems like a waste of time to me. Guess living in the sunny south gives a guy a different outlook.
David from jax

 

[PILOON]

Maine_Polack

You answered tha question yourself "average of 1+ hours each storm"--

At the time I had the meyer with the electric pump I was doing about 16-18 drives and that took an average of about 4 hours per storm and needless to say I had aux lights up front, a rotating yellow beacon on top as well as a pair of floods to light up the rear.
But then we are in a snow belt area north of Montreal in the Laurentians.
This year we started off with a BANG one dumping of 50 cms (about 18-19") and in the last 4-5 days another accumulation of at least another 35 cms.
All my 'hidy holes' are already full and it looks just like mid Feb around here.
May just need to call in a backhoe soon to push back snow banks.
And they say you can make $$ plowing? That's sure a good chuckle.

 

[PILOON]

sandman2234(Dave)

Poor sandman, think of all the fun you are missing, what with golfing daily avoiding tornados and such and applying sun screen.

I envy you, and am seriously thinking of becoming a full fledged 'snowbird'.