First time plowing with SSQA plow, float mode just digs into the driveway

[eddieirvine]

That is a very big blade to tame Not going to be easy

 

[DJ54]

There is another option other than shoes. I actually got the idea from either this tractor forum, or another I belong to approx. 18 years ago. I cut a slot in a piece of 1-1/4" pipe and put tabs on it to match bolt holes in the moldboard and bolted it on. Back at that time others with CUT's used PVC but found it shattered in colder temps. In fact I shared this idea with a fellow just a couple weeks ago having problems with his Farmall Cub blade doing the same. He tried the PVC and also found it shattered after some use. This is the same pipe I put on it 18 or so years ago and I've pushed a lot of snow and dirt with it and shows little wear.

As heavy as your plow is I'd venture to say 2" pipe wouldn't be out of the question, and much heavier tabs to bolt it on as tall as the cutting edge is. If you don't have the tools to make your own I'd imagine having a weld shop make one would be in the same price range or less of shoes/skids.

Even with this type of setup I don't know if I'd use the float position. In heavier/frozen snow it will have a tendency to rear the front end up once the force gets large enough. You might try lowering it, then for an instant go to float position, then back to hold position and adjust as necessary after that.

 

[jonnyp]

Be gentle, this is my first time plowing with my tractor as well as my first time with a fullsize plow. All noob jokes are expected.

I have an L3560HTC that I've added a 7-foot quick-attach plow to. She looks like this:
View attachment 843057

Yesterday was the first snow and I attempted to use the FEL's "float" mode where the plow is supposed to just glide smoothly over bumps and things like a happy little pillow. Only in my case it just shoved into the driveway and tried to dig up what little asphalt I have left. I have a couple theories as to why but wanted to ask the experts before I do something horribly (yet hilariously) wrong.

My thoughts are that perhaps it's related to the angle of the plow, or the lack of plow shoes, or some combination of the two? I figure that since it has such a large forward protrusion off the SSQA attachment that I just need to angle it more upward than level to make everything happy, but I worry that I'll end up just digging some other part of the plow into my driveway and not notice till it's too late. Does anyone have advice or a tutorial on the proper way to make this all work? So far I've only found generic "how to plow" videos on Youtube.

easy, 3" schedule 80 plastic pipe cut to the width of the blade also cut once along the length of the pipe, snap it over your cutting edge and use until you have a nice 2-3" base. works with snowblowers too

 

[Lee plows]

Be gentle, this is my first time plowing with my tractor as well as my first time with a fullsize plow. All noob jokes are expected.

I have an L3560HTC that I've added a 7-foot quick-attach plow to. She looks like this:
View attachment 843057

Yesterday was the first snow and I attempted to use the FEL's "float" mode where the plow is supposed to just glide smoothly over bumps and things like a happy little pillow. Only in my case it just shoved into the driveway and tried to dig up what little asphalt I have left. I have a couple theories as to why but wanted to ask the experts before I do something horribly (yet hilariously) wrong.

My thoughts are that perhaps it's related to the angle of the plow, or the lack of plow shoes, or some combination of the two? I figure that since it has such a large forward protrusion off the SSQA attachment that I just need to angle it more upward than level to make everything happy, but I worry that I'll end up just digging some other part of the plow into my driveway and not notice till it's too late. Does anyone have advice or a tutorial on the proper way to make this all work? So far I've only found generic "how to plow" videos on Youtube.

Frost is your friend, back drag until the ground is solid or you get a bit of a pack under the snow. Yes you can push with the blade off the ground but it won't be a 100% and driveway is never perfectly level

 

[ismilelots]

Be gentle, this is my first time plowing with my tractor as well as my first time with a fullsize plow. All noob jokes are expected.

I have an L3560HTC that I've added a 7-foot quick-attach plow to. She looks like this:
View attachment 843057

Yesterday was the first snow and I attempted to use the FEL's "float" mode where the plow is supposed to just glide smoothly over bumps and things like a happy little pillow. Only in my case it just shoved into the driveway and tried to dig up what little asphalt I have left. I have a couple theories as to why but wanted to ask the experts before I do something horribly (yet hilariously) wrong.

My thoughts are that perhaps it's related to the angle of the plow, or the lack of plow shoes, or some combination of the two? I figure that since it has such a large forward protrusion off the SSQA attachment that I just need to angle it more upward than level to make everything happy, but I worry that I'll end up just digging some other part of the plow into my driveway and not notice till it's too late. Does anyone have advice or a tutorial on the proper way to make this all work? So far I've only found generic "how to plow" videos on Youtube.

I had the same problem. And you are right, it's all about the angle and shoes. But I have found that skimming the top and leaving about an inch or 2 of snow on the drive really cuts down on the ice problems. Especially at the road.

 

[LoudonNH]

Be gentle, this is my first time plowing with my tractor as well as my first time with a fullsize plow. All noob jokes are expected.

I have an L3560HTC that I've added a 7-foot quick-attach plow to. She looks like this:
View attachment 843057

Yesterday was the first snow and I attempted to use the FEL's "float" mode where the plow is supposed to just glide smoothly over bumps and things like a happy little pillow. Only in my case it just shoved into the driveway and tried to dig up what little asphalt I have left. I have a couple theories as to why but wanted to ask the experts before I do something horribly (yet hilariously) wrong.

My thoughts are that perhaps it's related to the angle of the plow, or the lack of plow shoes, or some combination of the two? I figure that since it has such a large forward protrusion off the SSQA attachment that I just need to angle it more upward than level to make everything happy, but I worry that I'll end up just digging some other part of the plow into my driveway and not notice till it's too late. Does anyone have advice or a tutorial on the proper way to make this all work? So far I've only found generic "how to plow" videos on Youtube.

That looks like a very heavy plow for that tractor, especially mounted several feet ahead of the coupler. I think you'd be better off with a plow that's slightly wider than the track of your front tires, probably the width of your loader bucket. You should be plowing each side of the driveway, from the crown to the shoulder, not running down the middle, tearing down the crown. You'll get a feel for it. Don't use float. I prefer plowing with a loader bucket, on a tractor.

 

[Gurney10]

Be gentle, this is my first time plowing with my tractor as well as my first time with a fullsize plow. All noob jokes are expected.

I have an L3560HTC that I've added a 7-foot quick-attach plow to. She looks like this:
View attachment 843057

Yesterday was the first snow and I attempted to use the FEL's "float" mode where the plow is supposed to just glide smoothly over bumps and things like a happy little pillow. Only in my case it just shoved into the driveway and tried to dig up what little asphalt I have left. I have a couple theories as to why but wanted to ask the experts before I do something horribly (yet hilariously) wrong.

My thoughts are that perhaps it's related to the angle of the plow, or the lack of plow shoes, or some combination of the two? I figure that since it has such a large forward protrusion off the SSQA attachment that I just need to angle it more upward than level to make everything happy, but I worry that I'll end up just digging some other part of the plow into my driveway and not notice till it's too late. Does anyone have advice or a tutorial on the proper way to make this all work? So far I've only found generic "how to plow" videos on Youtube.

If the blade has an adjustment such that the top of the blade can’t be angled vertically further away from the bottom edge, or rolled over somewhat that will help greatly. I have operated a motor grader in the past and that method helps to keep the bottom edge from digging in too much. Used that method a lot when blading snow or blue topping road base.

 

[JackDaniels1982]

To add to what others have said, it's a lot of weight. I have a similar Kubota loader and the arms alone weigh around 1000 lbs(half to tractor, half goes to bucket when lowered), then add on your plow. Now you are looking around 1000 lbs of downpressure when it's "floating".
I put a gauge on my lifting line that I can watch/monitor what's being done, which I highly recommend for lifting. In my case it works out nice, because I'm almost 1 psi/ lb. However in your case it also allows you to see if your digging before you would necessarily feel it. (Gauge goes from 1000 to 400, you need to start lifting, gauge is at 1000, feather it down a bit).
Hydraulically, if you are good, or know a good shop you can put a power float in the circuit, and some big plows run this for blade life. I've been wanting to arduino one of these for a while, but an adjustable pressure relief circuit(ie 700 psi for about 300 lbs of weight) along with constant hydraulic flow should do the trick, but you want a method to raise when you actually want to lift.

When you add shoes, keep in mind that your angle really affects where they touch.
Another piece of advice I didn't catch in this thread is to only use 2wd if possible 4WD or going too fast and when you catch something, either it gives (hopefully) or your tractor does.

To speak to the PVC mentioned above, I believe HDPE plastic is used for blades due to not cracking. I have some on my snowblower cutting edge and I actually find it more aggressive on cutting, but it doesn't mark stone. I do like the pipe idea abovr, although it is likely better suited to gravel.

 

[mmranch]

That is one stout looking plow... almost looks like a dozer blade (my plow in my icon is a 9'). Definitely need the skid shoes. I don't use float (and my drive is 1/2 mile long and 150' of elevation gain so lot's of bumps) and plow even more carefully during shoulder seasons when the ground's not frozen enough. I rarely dig up the driveway anymore.

(My wife has made me call in the contractor for extra plowing help and while I appreciate the help, they tear up my drive and my trees which pi$$es me off something fierce. I called them out on this and while they weren't happy, they know this customer gives a $hit!).

 

[Missouri Pioneer]

The plow looks too big and heavy for your tractor, my .02.