building a snow plow

CowboyUp · Dec 20, 2005

Hello,

I am new to Hydraulics's and wondering how you would use a joy stick to run the cyclinder's on a plow. Also how would you wire up the joy stick to run the cyclinder's? How big of a pump and reservoir would you need to run a plow? I have not really done anything with Hydraulics's so that is why I am asking.

I am wondering what size of tube to use and what size of cyclinder's to use? Any and all information would be very helpful. Thank you for your time.

Jeff

beenthere · Dec 20, 2005

CowboyUp
Welcome to the Forum. You will likely find a lot of help here, with the ideas you want to do with a plow. Now, first you could help us out.
How about letting us in on what you have that you are working with? Tractor? plow? attachments? experience?

The more information you can give out, the easier identifying the best approach from our experience will be. Fair?

Search on 'snow plow' in the archives will also give you a leg up on what might be involved. There is a search button up top.

PineRidge · Dec 20, 2005

Here's a link that may be of help. I use the hydraulic circuit for the bucket grapple as well as angling a snow plow. click here

bobodu · Dec 21, 2005

You'll find everything you need plus all or more help than you bargained for here...
Machinebuilders Network
Start with "Hydraulics 101" and then check out the FORUM.

uhmgawa · Dec 22, 2005

( Hello,

I am new to Hydraulics's and wondering how you would use a joy stick to run the cyclinder's on a plow. Also how would you wire up the joy stick to run the cyclinder's? How big of a pump and reservoir would you need to run a plow? I have not really done anything with Hydraulics's so that is why I am asking.
)

The most valuable source of information is going to be from those who
have invested heavily in designing commercial snow plows. Take a
look at the website for these fine folks Fisher

Another fundamental question is are you intending to build a self
contained hydraulic system for the plow or use the tractor's hydraulic
system?

CowboyUp · Dec 23, 2005

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for your help. I am wondering how to set up the hydraulics that work off electric motor? I guess that is my biggest problem. I need at least 4 cyclinder's that I am wanting to use and wondering what kind of pump, motor, value or what ever I will need to get to run what I am wanting. Thanks again for the information.

Jeff

bobodu · Dec 23, 2005

Wondering why you think you need 4 cylinders?
Lift and angle is all you need.
One pump/motor,one two spool valve stack and two cylinders.

CowboyUp · Dec 24, 2005

Hello,

I am going to build my own plow ...I am going to need 4 cylinder's. one to raise , two to swing back and forth and one to tip the top over to use as a pull back plow....I am goig to make a model of a plow out of wood full scale and see what i would have to do for the real one to get it to work...it would cost me less to change wood then reweld any metal...

I am just wondering how to get the hydraulics to work? I know that normal plows have a motor and pump in one..but they only let you control 3 cylinder's and I am wanting to use 4 cylinder's. I don't think I can use one that comes off a regular plow setup to make mine work unless I could put in another port for a 4 th hose.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and help.

Jeff

uhmgawa · Dec 24, 2005

( I am just wondering how to get the hydraulics to work? I know that normal plows have a motor and pump in one..but they only let you control 3 cylinder's and I am wanting to use 4 cylinder's. I don't think I can use one that comes off a regular plow setup to make mine work unless I could put in another port for a 4 th hose.))

Conventional plows have three single acting cylinders.
Two act in opposition to articulate the plow left to right
and can be modeled as a single double acting cylinder.
The remaining single acting cylinder serves to raise the
plow under power and lower the blade when the SA
cylinder is allowed to drain. Assuming you are going
to mount the plow under discussion on a FEL I don't
see how you will require additional degrees of freedom.

BTW using a self-contained electrically powered pump
on a compact tractor is dubious. The current draw is very
high during operation as the 12V pump motors are
in excess of 1KW and draw between 100-200A in
operation. So you will need to size the tractor battery/
alternator appropriately.

You might want to think about adding a two section
valve to your tractor and use it to drive the plow
hydraulics directly. It does appear to be the less
involved solution. To this end you may also consider
hunting down a used plow with a defunct pump as they
are commonly available at fire sale prices.

PILOON · Dec 25, 2005

I can confirm the fact of high current draw.

I once had a big ole jeep cherokee rigged with a Meyer 7" plow.

More than once I had to walk home because with the high draws and nite plowing the big alternator just could not keep the battery 'topped up'.

Some times I'd stall out the motor as I did not wish to 'bash the snow banks' and end up eith too little battery to restart.

And I had a big and new battery to boot! (also believe the alternator was even a 100 amp unit).
You do a lot of manouvering of a snow plow blade. Much more than you'd believe.

Lift each time you reverse. Angle this way and then that. Lift at each pile to get the pile higher. Swing one way and that to stuff the snow between trees. Lift and angle in order to use a point to smash a hard snow bank. Etc etc....

A belt driven pump is the preferred way, take it from me.