I need new ideas for lifting my plow blade...I'm going through winches

[slowzuki]

Add those whippy end of plow markers to each side of your plow so you can see the plow come up?

Add a chunk of rubber to the cable so when you hit the stops it isn't such a rapid increase in load on the winch?

I know they make rubber bumpers for vehicle winch cables so when you're sucking it in the hook doesn't hit the fairlead and stop the motor so rapidly.

 

[PILOON]

I have also wondered if finding a different plow system may not help. With the way this is set up with push tubes, there is only about 6-8" clearance in the up position. If there were a system without push tubes that could be lifted higher, I wouldn't be so paranoid about making sure it was up as far as it could go. Any suggestions there?

Heck why not just lengthen the push tubes you have? sounds like a simple 'cut and weld' job to me.
That way you would have visual referance and pile snow higher, granted you will be a bit less manouverable with longer push arms.

Or:
A vertical rod firmly attached to your blade and another on front of the machine, bent or shaped so that when aligned you stop!

 

[Malvern]

kvrdave

I'll take some photos of the system I have, I can lift the plow better than 12".

Malvern

 

[Malvern]

kvrdave,

This is the set up I'm using, lift height is 28"
Hope this helps

Malvern

 

[kvrdave]

That looks nice, and would definately raise enough. What type is it? The other thing I wonder is whether or not the mounting brace would get in the way of the the hitch mount I have for my winch. Any idea? I can ask whoever sells them. Thanks much. I look forward to looking into that....along with the whippy plow markers.

The plow markers might be the cheapest thing to try. I suppose if I kill my current winch, I'm not out much. It's a crap one that I should replace (Gorilla).

 

[Malvern]

kvrdave,

This is an American Eagle plow, the brace has a 2" x 2" cut out for the hitch mount.

If you still going to use your hitch mount winch set up, I think you'll have the same problem. This plow works the best with the set up I have now.

If you want more pictures let me know.

Malvern

 

[pwl]

I have a 7' plow on my 4 wheeler. It was tough on my winch so I added a pulley wheel to the plow and dead ended the cable on the brush gaurd of the wheeler. This basically makes the plow half as heavey. No issues for 2 years.

 

[kvrdave]

kvrdave,

This is an American Eagle plow, the brace has a 2" x 2" cut out for the hitch mount.

If you still going to use your hitch mount winch set up, I think you'll have the same problem. This plow works the best with the set up I have now.

That makes sense given that you are winching the unit straight up, but more "pulling it back and up." Would that be a fair description of how it works?

I take it that you can then see the blade raise slightly above the hood of the rhino and that is how you see when to stop?

Also, looking around, I see several different types of system from American Eagle. Could you link to a product page that has the specific type you use (if it isn't too much trouble, and thanks much for all the help). Also, is the blade, etc. heavy enough with this system to not have much bounce to it? I have bounce on my quad with 48" blade be zero problems with the 72" on the rhino because it is a heavy dude. It is a cycle country one.

 

[Malvern]

kvrdave

That makes sense given that you are winching the unit straight up, but more "pulling it back and up." Would that be a fair description of how it works?

That is correct.

The mounting plate I have is not shown on AE's web sight.

Since this blade is taller than your I don't have any problem seeing what position it's in.
haven't had any problems with bounce so far, this is a very heavy blade.

You up position is going to be best guess unless you put something in the system to stop it like the other posters suggested.

Malvern

 

[kvrdave]

Fantastic. Thanks for the help.