Snow Equipment Owning/Operating First time using Float position

[skyhook]

If you have a plow mounted on your "bucket" you should not be using float, IMO....
the bucket should be about 5 to 6 inches "off" the ground, and only the weight of the plow should be on the ground, preferably held by a chain or whatever so the "plow blade" floats.
You can angle your bucket to get the right angle needed for your blade, as suggested.

 

[topstoy]

What plow setup did you buy Tops? How are you controlling the angle?

I have a Rankin Worksaver, it quick attaches to the front of my CX200 loader in place of the bucket. So I used it more yesterday and today and I am getting the hang of it. I don't use float and have found pretty much the sweet spot that seems to be effective and not gouging. I think if I had a big flat parking lot then the float would be fine but not for my rollercoaster of a driveway.

 

[topstoy]

Na, you're beating yourself up over a nonexistent problem.:confused3:
I have a FEL plow setup from one of the best tractor manufacturers in Canada. It took some serious time to figure out how to get everything setup right, and I seldom use float position, but can if I chose to. Make sure you have a crossover valve in the hydraulics of your plow hydraulic lines to prevent/reduce the chance of racking your loader arms from the forces exerted by the plow against the loader. You're not trying to clear an airport runway, are you? Therefore try as suggested, tilt the plow blade forward enough to keep it from catching on objects in the path, when in float, and the edge will likely trip less than before. Plus as you work the learning curve realize you can make more than one pass to clear an area without damage to the loader, your ego or your wallet. You can run your plow slightly off the ground too and then clean more closely on a subsequent pass. Forget the neighbor; his rig probaby bounces over everything anyway. Remember, learning curve- it takes some time- you'll get the hang of it.:thumbsup:

Thanks for the helpful info!

 

[Coyote machine]

You're welcome. Remember it's supposed to be fun! Don't let your wife know though! And it's not a race or contest. Get your drive properly staked; I go about 2-3' from the driveway edge to my stake placement so I'm not knocking them down. Get a solid base of snow on your gravel, then plow to it but don't clean sweep it and you'll dig up less base. Sand only when necessary to keep your base, and take your time, develop technique and apply same as your skillset develops.

 

[woodchipper]

My drive way is the worse of any member here on TBN could have
it is full of rocks, gets real muddy in some spots when it melts, have many pot holes, have ruts, leans one way or the other...etc It is 3.1Km of up and down hills for most of the part.
When I used to plow it in the begining, I used my mighty old HD 1/2T pick up, with a good old mighty fisher snow plow. And men let me tell you that the chain "float" mechanism had quite a rollercoaster ride!! Even the big rigs have the chain mount. It works as intended.
Good luck with your plowing, and Happy Tractoring

 

[topstoy]

You're welcome. Remember it's supposed to be fun! Don't let your wife know though! And it's not a race or contest. Get your drive properly staked; I go about 2-3' from the driveway edge to my stake placement so I'm not knocking them down. Get a solid base of snow on your gravel, then plow to it but don't clean sweep it and you'll dig up less base. Sand only when necessary to keep your base, and take your time, develop technique and apply same as your skillset develops.

Of course, my wife thinks I'm out battling the elements! It's a tough job but somebody's got to do it!!!

 

[Coyote machine]

Of course, my wife thinks I'm out battling the elements! It's a tough job but somebody's got to do it!!!

Exactly. And you're the man for the job.:dance1:

 

[Danny C]

I hardly ever use the hydraulic "float" feature when plowing with my tractor nor have I while plowing with 150hp front-end loaders with 14ft blades, backhoes with 12ft blades, and skid steer loaders for approximatley 20,000hr. They all were/are attached to the qucik attach plate in place of the bucket. i plow a lot of uneven terrain and varied surface types and just always found it to be quicker with a better job and feel to manually adjust the balde as needed.