hydraulics for snowplow

[chuck172]

I'm planning on using my loader curl to angle a snowplow, using the snowplow angle cylinders, and the loader up, down to raise and lower a double acting cylinder.
Am I in for any surprises, or will this work?

 

[mikehaugen]

I assume this is repurposed truck plow? Are you using the original lift cylinder? If so, they are usually only single direction cylinder so the line for down will not be used, just don't push the joystick all of the way forward, otherwise you will strain the pump. You may also consider flow restrictors.

 

[chuck172]

No, I'll be adding a double acting cylinder for the lift. I'm frame mounting the plow.

 

[mikehaugen]

Sounds like a fun project, I will hopefully be doing it soon as well. About 3 years ago a guy I work with offered to sell me an old truck plow setup for $200... so I said sure! "Alright, I'll bring it over one of these days..." he still claims he is going to bring it over, but I guess I need to just go get it.

 

[locknut]

No reason it shouldn't work.Only thing different is the plumbing to the cylinders to make them work opposite on extension/retraction.The speed may differ a little depending on the size difference of the two sets of cylinders.

 

[LD1]

The left and right will function just fine with the loader hydraulics but I would suggest adding a crossover valve to protect the cylinders and hoses.

On a truck hydraulic unit, it is built in. Since you are using your tractor valve, you have no protection. With the joystick in neutral, if you catch something with the extended edge of the plow, it will create a pressure spike as that cylinder tries to compress. On a truck unit, a valve opens at ~2500 or 3000psi and allows that fluid to dump into the other cylinder, allowing the plow to angle vs blowing hoses and bending cylinders.

They arent that expensive. Under $100.

 

[chuck172]

I know about the importance of the crossover relief valve and will use one.
How about a double acting cylinder for the lift? There shouldn't be any problems there should there?

 

[LD1]

I know about the importance of the crossover relief valve and will use one.
How about a double acting cylinder for the lift? There shouldn't be any problems there should there?

I dont see any issues. Would give the benefit of down pressure too if you want it.

 

[boggen]

i am going to question mounting a plow, frame mounted to the tractor. vs connecting the plow up to an actual truck.

the issue being, some plows, actually rely on how fast you are going MPH (miles per hour) to throw snow off to the side. vs actually having to use the plow and directing the snow off to the side and out of the way.

for me... a 3pt hitch rear blade on rear of tractor, and being able to use the FEL (front end loader) with general duty bucket would serve me better. using rear blade when only a few inches on the ground. and then the FEL to get through snow drifts and heavier snow. and then come back with the rear blade to clean stuff up. hint many 3pt hitch rear blades can be turned around 180 degrees. and you can drive backwards to push snow backwards. the 3pt hitch could take a beaten and ya need to take things slow, but...*shrugs*

i do have area's were a truck mounted snow plow would make more sense, being able to have speed and momentum on my side to make it through some snow drifts. and areas were there really is no place to push snow, or drag it away, breaking out the tractor with FEL to slide up under the snow and haul it off to another location.

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with above said, why cut yourself off, and simply go with removing the general duty bucket, for a plow that fits on the FEL? get a 3rd function valve for FEL, so you can tilt blade left and right some.
granted there is an issue of twisting the arms of the FEL. but *shrugs* i might suggest this, more so if your FEL valves has "float" position. that you could take advantage of.

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everyone else has you covered, more so with the "trip" like ability, of the cross over valve. some plows have springs that once stretched enough, causes entire blade to flip up and out of the way or angle out of the way.

 

[RickB]

I know about the importance of the crossover relief valve and will use one.
How about a double acting cylinder for the lift? There shouldn't be any problems there should there?

You can use the existing single acting lift cylinder and throw the joystick into float to lower the plow. That's what I do with my 7' Myers mounted on a Case 885 controlled by a joystick valve from a Ford 1920. Works fine.