Let it Snow

[TravisD]

So after several years of digging out 1/4 mile of driveway with a 30" blade on my little old Cub Cadet 1864, we finally decided this year to step up to something more substantial.



I figure that this will either mean it won't snow at all this year (you're welcome) or it'll be a lot more fun when it does...

 

[timswi]

Congrats...Wait until you plow with that, You're gonna love it...

 

[628pm]

Got a call today my boss vplow will be delivered by noon tomorrow. Will be pushing snow this year in a heated cab.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Bought my RTV1140 3 or 4 years ago. Most snow we have had in Ky that first winter in years. Haven't had hardly any since then. I live on a hill and cars couldn't make it up the hill so I'd go pick my Grands up at the road at the bottom of the hill since no school and parents had to go to work. We all loved it.
I did learn that the RTV was a champ going up and down the hills in the snow. So much so that I'd drive thru the field instead of the road some times. No suspension so a rotted tree stump hole or big rock in the middle of the fields were usually a jarring surprise.
I did get to thinking I could go any where since I was able to go most places without even putting it in 4wd. I drove cross ways across the steep hill in front of my house and found out the RTV will slide side ways just like cars/trucks/tractors so up and down seems to be the best/safest way on a real slick surface. That sideways traction doesn't superceed the laws of physics.:cool2:

 

[TravisD]

So I did the install myself. Overall, it went pretty well, though I think there were a couple of instructions missing from the supplied docs. One thing that I'm a little curious about is possibly fusing the power leads to the plow. The supplied lead is nicely done, but there's no fuse or breaker in it, so I now have two relatively heavy gauge wires tied directly to the battery. A short would get exciting, real quickly.

Is there a reasonable fuse for the hydraulic pumps on a plow like this? I know that their current draw will depend on temperature and such, but I have to think that anything is better than nothing, as long as it doesn't result in nuisance trips.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

Are you sure there isn't a fuse built in? I can't imagine anyone building a plow system that doesn't have a fuse and a contactor relay

 

[Duwop]

This was my mantra last year. I hope you enjoy your sxs as much as I do mine. We have become inseparable. Mine has save me walking 350 miles around the farm since last Nov.. So Let it Snow

 

[TravisD]

There may be a fuse on the plow end of the hookup, but that doesn't protect the feed off of the battery. If there is one, it does give me some info to go off of as far as how much fuse is needed to run the hydraulics though.

 

[SpudHauler]

I agree Travis and have used this type. Start with a 20 amp and you should be okay.
.

 

[TravisD]

Thanks SpudHauler. Not sure what I'm going to do yet. Ideally I'd like something that I can mount inline, and not disturb the integrity of the supplied harness, but a good sealed crimp would work as well.

 

[SpudHauler]

Are we talking 6 gauge wire or something more like 14 gauge. The 6 gauge wire is the larger diameter that usually is used for starter wiring and such.

Anyway, I usually use wire wrap for extra protection on these types of wire and just use lots of wire ties to make sure it's not rubbing and flopping around. Being especially careful around anything sharp edged.

On my RTV1100 I ran 6 gauge wires from the battery to the front winch with just a few areas protected with some large diameter wire wrap, worked fine.

This stuff is cheap and works well.
.

 

[TravisD]

Not sure on the exact gauge. Looks like probably a number 10 or 8. It came nicely covered in TechFlex ( the mesh covering) but I don't know how long that will stand up.

 

[TravisD]

Mods lead to mods apparently Quickly realized that the plow might block the stock headlights some, so headed off to eBay for a 120w LED flood/spot bar. I fabbed up a mount to use the existing holes in the metal roof panel. Picked up a nice lighted rocker switch from Amazon that fit the factory aux switch panel perfectly, and spent some time with heatshrink and flexible loom to create a factory-like (I hope!) wiring harness. It was nice to see that the factory aux fuse panel is key-switched, so the lights can't be left on by accident. Haven't had it outside yet in the dark to see how it looks, but it sure lights up the garage!

 

[Jw5875]

Yep!

Did my RTV 500 the same way with the same LED. Used it in the woods to nite, might just disconnect the factory lights,

JW 5875

 

[TravisD]

Next step I think will be some rear lights...

 

[TravisD]

Picked up a pair of 18w low-profile LED's for the rear.

Amazon.com: 2x 18w LED Spot Work Light: Automotive



The brackets are a single-bolt type, which worked perfectly to fasten to existing holes along the top edge of the back panel/screen on the -X900. They tucked up under the (metal) roof nicely, and should clear any cargo that I'll ever carry. I have them angled very slightly outwards which seems to throw a good amount of light to the sides.

Made my own wiring harness covered in 1/4" split loom, run along the ROPS and down to the Aux switch panel. Fused at 5A which in theory is plenty for these (36W @ 12v is only 3A).