Front mount snow blade

[jake98]

That's a nice set-up. I'm drooling. :drool: And kicking myself because I passed on a $150. Meyers this fall :ashamed:

 

[Duffster]

The blade is spring loaded. If it hits something hard it will fold over.

True but that does NOT protect the loader for the side load/torque. People break A frames on truck mounted plows from this also.

 

[billkater]

True but that does NOT protect the loader for the side load/torque. People break A frames on truck mounted plows from this also.

I am sure that they do. Even the best engineered piece of equipment can break or be broken if not used for what it was intended for. My buddy has a backhoe that had the front bushings ripped out of the lift arms from the previous owner.

I know this is a small tractor and can only do so much. With that being said, I won't be trying to push 4' tall drifts or bulldoze down trees. I built this to clear small concrete and blacktop parking lots. I will also not add any extra weight for traction. As for speed, I wont be running in 3rd gear in high range either.

Is there a possibility of breaking the FEL frame? Yes there is.

When you mount your rear blade on your tractor and start plowing, is there a possibility of catching the outside end of the blade on something and breaking a lift arm or bending the blade? Yes there is.

 

[Duffster]

I am sure that they do. Even the best engineered piece of equipment can break or be broken if not used for what it was intended for. My buddy has a backhoe that had the front bushings ripped out of the lift arms from the previous owner.

I know this is a small tractor and can only do so much. With that being said, I won't be trying to push 4' tall drifts or bulldoze down trees. I built this to clear small concrete and blacktop parking lots. I will also not add any extra weight for traction. As for speed, I wont be running in 3rd gear in high range either.

Is there a possibility of breaking the FEL frame? Yes there is.

When you mount your rear blade on your tractor and start plowing, is there a possibility of catching the outside end of the blade on something and breaking a lift arm or bending the blade? Yes there is.

I was pointing out that the springs do NOT protect like implied.

 

[nyen0004]

I curretly in the process of building a FEL mount snow plow for my JD2320. I'm gettin g tired of using the bucket..:thumbsup:

 

[kennyd]

I curretly in the process of building a FEL mount snow plow for my JD2320. I'm gettin g tired of using the bucket..:thumbsup:

Good luck! I had one on my 4110-similar in size to the 2320...I hated it. It stuck out to far, and because of the leverage it applied to the front end steering was near impossible. The tractor was just to light.

 

[nyen0004]

It will be right up against the loader arms as it will not angle. I find the bucket digs as of the angle it on. I figured the blade since the cutting edge is nearly 90degs it won't bite as hard therefor putting less strees on the loader arms.

 

[Gizmo2]

It will be right up against the loader arms as it will not angle. I find the bucket digs as of the angle it on. I figured the blade since the cutting edge is nearly 90degs it won't bite as hard therefor putting less strees on the loader arms.

Hmmm! Keep us posted.

 

[Red Horse]

BillK
The weight of the plow assembly is not an issue-I doubt that it ways as much as my 72" HD bucket when its full of processed stone (3/4 and dust). I do have a 550 lb concrete weight block, chains and loaded tires so that helps too.

By the way I see you answered one of my other questions regarding just how you were tying the bucket cylinders in-you are going direct from the valve. I would suggest however that you do put a cross cushion valve in. I plow mostly unpaved surfaces and every know and then I will catch a raised rock and while the spring loaded blade will tip, the cushion valve lets the blade rotate without twisting everything. When I built mine I was clueless to to such a thing and someone suggested it-glad he did-they work.

Oh and by the way I saw your comment on weight- my two cents is that rear weight is a safety issue. Whjen you start raising tghe blade to stack snow, believe me that stability is nice-to say nothing of the traction benefit.

One other thing I like about your set up is your ability to use downpressure for back blading aweay from doors-nice feature!

 

[JB4310]

billkater,
I'm not a big fan of loader mounted snow plows, But I do llike the way you set yours back as far as possible. and that box frame part looks solid, that lower and mid box cross member really stiffen up the front of those arms. If something drastic does happen it wont be to the lower/front of the arms IMO.

You say you will not be abusing it but we all say that, when the snow gets deep and heavy you have no choice, but to push it to the max.
I've been pushing my frame mounted plow this year so hard I fully expect something to break.
I do wish I had the ability to raise the plow more than 2 ft off the ground though, being loader mounted should make it easier for you to stack the snow higher and push it back.

If I get the piles at the right angle I can drive right up like a dozer and push the snow up high and over the top, But some of the piles pack in short and I can't get up them, still they are 6 ft high.

Good luck, JB.

 

[billkater]

Red Horse,

What do you mean by a cross cushion valve? Never heard of one. My cylinders have 3/8 inlets on them. Can you point me to one?

Thanks

 

[Gizmo2]

You say you will not be abusing it but we all say that, when the snow gets deep and heavy you have no choice, but to push it to the max.

Wiser words have not been spoken.

 

[Gizmo2]

I would suggest however that you do put a cross cushion valve in. I plow mostly unpaved surfaces and every know and then I will catch a raised rock and while the spring loaded blade will tip, the cushion valve lets the blade rotate without twisting everything. When I built mine I was clueless to to such a thing and someone suggested it-glad he did-they work.

Never had or used a cross-over relief valve for 22 years. Read about it on this forum, I think from kennyd but not sure. I was plowing back piles after the last snow storm and was hitting the piles fairly hard and the blade would change angles. Said to myself COOL!
Actually now that I think about it.....I never had hydraulic power angle before this year....What a dumb a** I am. Point is I like the way they work.

 

[kennyd]

What do you mean by a cross cushion valve? Never heard of one. My cylinders have 3/8 inlets on them. Can you point me to one?

Thanks

The proper term is "crossover relief valve" or CRV, they are are also known as "cushion valves". Basically, when the pressure get's to high on one side, it "relieves" to the other. Most popular on snowplows, thumb circuits, an can also be used on hydraulic motors.

Here is a perfect one for you: Crap, the Surplus Center site is down...it's item number 9-4016-H

 

[Gizmo2]

What do you mean by a cross cushion valve? Never heard of one. My cylinders have 3/8 inlets on them. Can you point me to one?

And looks like this.....

 

[Ford tractor]

When you mount your rear blade on your tractor and start plowing, is there a possibility of catching the outside end of the blade on something and breaking a lift arm or bending the blade? Yes there is.

The difference is the $50 lift arm compared to the $2000 loader frame. I'd rather not harm any component, but if one is going to be harmed, the cheap one is preferred.

 

[JB4310]

Never had or used a cross-over relief valve for 22 years. Read about it on this forum, I think from kennyd but not sure. I was plowing back piles after the last snow storm and was hitting the piles fairly hard and the blade would change angles.

I've never had one in all my years of plowing, does it ever relieve when you don't want it to?

I assume it is adjustable?

JB.

 

[Gizmo2]

I've never had one in all my years of plowing, does it ever relieve when you don't want it to?

I assume it is adjustable?

JB.

No it does not. I, like you, thought to myself "yeah sure I need one". Have to say it is actually cheap insurance and the other day it impressed me, instead of throwing the tractor or tweaking something someplace it just changed the angle of the blade and I kept right on going but I was hitting the pile rather hard.

I believe mine is set a 1500lbs. Which brings up an interesting observation. When angling the blade and the cylinder gets to it's end there is a slight clunk in the hydraulic system someplace, happens in both direction. I assume this is because the tractor pressure is about 2500lbs, the relief valve is at 1500lbs and the clunk is the relief valve kicking in, can only hear it when running at idle and sitting still.

 

[caddison]

Well I'll throw mine in the mix. Been working on it and finally got the hoses securely mounted. It has been nice . I am pondering an adjustable mount instead of the chain. It looks like the cross over relief valve might be a good idea as well.

Now for a little clean up and paint! Looks like another big snow in the works here in NW MO so it will get another workout!

 

[billkater]

First big snow since I got my blade finished. Cut my plowing time from 5hrs to 3 1/2hrs. Gonna try a chain lift instead of the ridged top link and see if it works any better.