Float Lifts Front Wheels?

[skyhook]

I have read posts here on TbN from experienced tractor front snow plowers that they keep their blade not in float, but slightly lifted... I, being less experienced, just use float and carefully tilt the blade so it doesn't dig in. Having shoes is a great help, I think. This will be the first year I have had the pleasure of plowing pavement- always been gravel up until now. By the way, I hate watching videos of guys in heated cabs, bare handed, listening to their radios. Hate it!

LOL, just for you, next time I plow, I will leave the heater off and door open, honest.

 

[Ford850]

Exactly right. The video below I made demonstrates my Hiniker protecting the loader from torsional forces. The plow is bouncing up and down, left to right, sometimes hanging on a stump and changing the windrow angle though the blow-off valve so as to protect the loader from all kinds of crazy forces.

I have a Hiniker Big Ox plow too. Luckily this was a line my dealer suggested, because it has several features that make plowing easier and puts less stress on the FEL.

 

[Ford850]

While a total PITA to get on, once on, the Hiniker Big Ox Plow for skid loaders works well.

Holy moly, I don't have that issue attaching mine. I have at least 1/2" space on my Hiniker SSQA plate, so mine goes on in seconds just like my OEM bucket. I wonder if my Hiniker side is larger or if my CaseIH FEL is narrower. I do keep mine in the barn on dollies which makes it that much easier to align too. But there is no binding or tight fit on the SSQA.
I agree that a tapered plate would be the best.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Holy moly, I don't have that issue attaching mine. I have at least 1/2" space on my Hiniker SSQA plate, so mine goes on in seconds just like my OEM bucket. I wonder if my Hiniker side is larger or if my CaseIH FEL is narrower. I do keep mine in the barn on dollies which makes it that much easier to align too. But there is no binding or tight fit on the SSQA.
I agree that a tapered plate would be the best.

I even called the Hiniker engineer to tell him his design needs a rethink. The engineer didn't seem to own the problem, and so a year later I eventually got around to making the video to highlight the problem.

 

[mrtwister]

ETO: watch for a brand new design reflecting your suggestion.....and that flea-bitten-varmint engineer taking full credit for the "rethink"!!unch:

 

[kcender]

This is my first winter plowing with an L45,like the OP.I just use the loader bucket so it isn't really the same situation.I had a hard time keeping the front wheels on the ground with float at first.After trying different things I find medium,slow works the best for speed.The angle of the bucket is also critical.As the base builds up I am able to keep the bucket flatter to the ground.One thing I think contributes to the lifting is the weight of the backhoe making the front lighter to begin with.I am thinking that removing the backhoe and using a weight box would help keep the front wheels on the ground when plowing in float mode.I don't have a TPH or weight box so I can't try out my theory.Last year I plowed with a B2620 with FEL and weight box.I could plow snow all day in float mode with no issues,even while making turns.

 

[coralhead]

The loader is connected high on the tractor, so any resistance from the bucket lifts the front of the tractor.

"Real" blades connect very low on a tractor or truck so this doesn't happen without far more effort.

Bruce

Here is how I carry my snow plow. I like the pushing low and closer to the front of the tractor.

 

[avc8130]

As it turns out this is much less of an issue once there is actual SNOW! It wasn't hard to get the hang of the right curl/float/lift position that resulting in a nice and consistent push of snow. I did ~6" yesterday and have another 6-8" out there waiting for me right now.

ac

 

[Buggs67]

Here is how I carry my snow plow. I like the pushing low and closer to the front of the tractor.

I like that setup. Is that homemade? It looks like a hydro cylinder raises/lowers the blade. Do you have another to turn it right/left?

 

[varmint]

I can see advantages to that, but set up likely requires more than popping your SSQA levers and hooking up hydraulics. Plus, you couldn't push snow up over 6-7' piles, which is something I have been doing too much of the past few days. If we get another 30" storm, I will be going between my plow and loader bucket. Two tractors would be nice, and then I could have a cabbed one, too. Not going to happen.