New project: Front Snow Plow

[Ford850]

I'm not sure if this is an option for your mount, but if you can, let it float. Maybe 2 pins in the lower mount and a chain or flex link in the top. that would allow you to raise the FEL slightly putting it's weight on the front of the tractor, while the blade floated on the ground.

 

[SkunkWerX]

I'm not sure if this is an option for your mount, but if you can, let it float. Maybe 2 pins in the lower mount and a chain or flex link in the top. that would allow you to raise the FEL slightly putting it's weight on the front of the tractor, while the blade floated on the ground.

Ford850,
Thanks, yes, you have a very good point about the float.
Don't have any instructions for this blade, but I did find a pin on the front connection for the UP and Down cylinder. When the pin is pulled, it allows the mounting bracket linkage to swivel, which appears to allow for float, probably a couple inches worth, from what I can see.
The way it is built, I can always fabricate some longer brackets, which would give more free-play, which should equate to more float.

My driveway and parking area is paved with not much sudden change in grade, so a couple inches of float should be just fine.

Thanks again. That's good info for anyone pushing snow. Keeps the hydraulics from lifting the front end, which allows the 4WD to do it's job.

 

[3RRL]

Great work so far Skunk. It's cleaned up and painted beautifully!

 

[jimmer2880]

If the couple of inches isn't enough, you could always just use a valve spool that has a float position. That's what I have done for many years which has worked well.

 

[SkunkWerX]

If the couple of inches isn't enough, you could always just use a valve spool that has a float position. That's what I have done for many years which has worked well.

Hey Jimmer, you are right, I am using my FEL control valve, which has built-in float. However, the my float still places enough downward pressure to take some weight off the front tires, which equals less traction.
So, if possible, the mechaincal float will keep all the weight on the front end.

Update: KennyD looked up a diagram for the JD blade, and I discovered the blade "keeper" is bolted on, but the cutting edge is missing!

So, I ordered up a 6 foot peice of 5160 carbon steel, 1/4" x 3" to serve as the cutting blade. Should have it by tomorrow.

Today the plate steel arrives, so the adapter plate fabrication can begin.
Still claculating blade angle as controlled by mounted height of blade hitch assembly. ie; the higher off the ground the blade's hitch assembly is mounted, the steeper the cutting angle.

What is a good contact angle for the cutting edge to the ground??

90 degress is too step |

45 degreees seems a bit too shallow, this line appears to be greater than 45 degrees, maybe 60 degrees? \

Would somewhere between 60 and 80 degrees be a good angle??

Any thoughts on contact angle based on experience?

 

[2manyrocks]

After kidding around about remote control operation, someone else posted this in another thread: Loader Radio Remote Control System - Bobcat Company

Is the slope/tilt of the snow blade that important compared to a dirt blade or is it the curve of the blade that really moves the snow?

 

[2manyrocks]

Here is a link to a snow plow research study.

http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/shrp/SHRP-H-673.pdf

 

[SkunkWerX]

After kidding around about remote control operation, someone else posted this in another thread: Loader Radio Remote Control System - Bobcat Company

Is the slope/tilt of the snow blade that important compared to a dirt blade or is it the curve of the blade that really moves the snow?

Thnaks for the link, good research!

I cannot control the pre=-fromed curve of my blade, but I can control the angle at which is contacts the surface, therefor, I will see if i can find a good angle.

In the research, page 8
Figure 1. Horsepower dissipated in compressing snow as a function of velocity. The parameter is blade angle to the road surface.

Hmmm, must be something to how the angle affects performance?

And furhter down in the research:
In discussions with plow operators it was found that they
generally prefer the cutting blade to be oriented approximately 80 degrees to the road
surface. This is a compromise from the 90 degrees they have found removes compacted
snow and ice most effectively, which reduces a phenomena they characterize as chatter.

 

[2manyrocks]

The research also indicated that the blade angle affected how well it shattered ice and the shape of the blade affected compaction of the snow. There were several design issues that are new to me. The study had to do with a blade going at faster speed than on a tractor. There are also issues about the blade itself being damaged by the road surface and vice versa. I'm not sure if this helps or not, but maybe it will lead to something useful.

 

[SkunkWerX]

The research also indicated that the blade angle affected how well it shattered ice and the shape of the blade affected compaction of the snow. There were several design issues that are new to me. The study had to do with a blade going at faster speed than on a tractor. There are also issues about the blade itself being damaged by the road surface and vice versa. I'm not sure if this helps or not, but maybe it will lead to something useful.

Oh it was great to see the various issues they explored.
I agree, they were looking at speeds of 20 to 30 mph, for plow trucks, definately not tractor speeds.

I think what I have concluded is that I can use a steeper angle, if needed, without creating a problem, or cutting performance.

 

[SkunkWerX]

This evening worked on the Quick Hitch Adapter to mount to the tractor frame. It will also get bracing up underneath as there are the existing mounting holes in the BX frame.

Not much else to report the pictures tell the story.

Test Fitting the Adapter sides

Getting ready to tack it

 

[kennyd]

Looks great!
Is that angle iron cylinder mount permanent or just being used to get the proper height before the real mounts are made?

 

[Northstar9126]

If I am understanding this correctly, you are attatching the mount to the front of your tractor. Are you planning to run any sort of bracing further back on the tractor to spread the strain out? I have been thinking of doing what you are doing but I am concerned that the stress on the front of my tractor ( Deere 4300 ) would be too much.

 

[SkunkWerX]

KennyD, that perforated angle is just for figuring the permanent height, that's all. Mostly just a way to keep the cylinder from flopping around.

Northstar, yes, I will be running a couple braces underneath.
There are two holes on the subframe of the tractor, where the factory Hitch Adaptor bolts too.

But, another way to look at it, whenever you design something that will be taking stresses and strains, there is always a weak link, something that will fail first, if things really are put to a test. So, when fabricating something like this, I like to make a failure point, rather than build it so strong it transfers major stresses to the tractor frame. i would rather bend the adapter plate, for sure.

 

[DonT-B7500]

I'm doing the same thing on my Bota B7500 and I am running a ladder frame back to the FEL mounting frame, I'll post a few pics tomorrow

 

[SkunkWerX]

If I am understanding this correctly, you are attatching the mount to the front of your tractor. Are you planning to run any sort of bracing further back on the tractor to spread the strain out? I have been thinking of doing what you are doing but I am concerned that the stress on the front of my tractor ( Deere 4300 ) would be too much.

Northstar, another suggestion is to look at the factory set-up.
I am attaching to where Kubota attaches their version of the Quick Hitch adapter.

Check your model of Deere, and see ho they handle it. On the largermachine,s with larger baldes, they carry braces back farther to a mid point of the frame.

A smaller machine is gonig to run out of ooompf and spin tires before bending it's frame. I think that is how the design engineers look at these types of things.

 

[SkunkWerX]

Got the hydraulic lines hooked up.
First test run gives pretty good results.

Video is below, apologies for the dim lighting.
You will hear some distinctive "clunks" in the video, it is the cylinder angle bracket, it need one more bolt to keep it from moving when the cylinder is near fully retracted and fully extended. Otherwise, it's working pretty much as it should.

Video of BX2350 with JD Snow Plow and 2 after market cylinders

-

 

[kennyd]

That looks great!

But would look better Yellow

 

[3RRL]

Looks great indeed!
Nice work Skunk.

 

[SkunkWerX]

Thanks guys, now it needs finishing touches. and some brighter clearer pics.

-A couple of hoses at the proper length (The ones I got are too long).
-Weld the frame braces underneath the Hitch Adapter.
-drill and bolt on the new Carbon steel Cutting edge I am making.