QA plate on 7.5' snowplow for FEL, let it snow

kennyd · Nov 6, 2005

Re: QA plate on 7.5\' snowplow for FEL, let it snow

Nice looking work Mike as usual, Almost as good as mine! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

You might want to think about cutting that A-Frame back to the cylinders just to bring the plow in closer. Just food for thought...

PineRidge · Nov 6, 2005

Re: QA plate on 7.5\' snowplow for FEL, let it snow

 You might want to think about cutting that A-Frame back to the cylinders just to bring the plow in closer. Just food for thought...


Kenny I did consider that but it would have only been 6" difference overall and I'm not sure that it would make all that difference in how it works. The plow does hang way out there especially with the 17LA loader, but on the positive side I have real good visibility of the plow too. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Thanks for the suggestion and the complement. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

DavidVT · Nov 7, 2005

Re: QA plate on 7.5\' snowplow for FEL, let it snow

Nice job. I considered the small QA plates for mine but decided I could get the job done faster but just mounting the truck pins on the large QA plate.

Looking at yours I see that visibility for the operator will be much better than on mine.

The hydraulics, are you using the curl circuit or do you have a third? Does the power angle need anything special for it to work on a curl circuit (other than the speed adjusters you added)?

PineRidge · Nov 7, 2005

Re: QA plate on 7.5\' snowplow for FEL, let it snow

Thanks David! Some months back we split the curl circuit to our FEL using a electric diverter valve purchased from Surplus Center. It normally powers up our bucket grapple. The single action plow cylinders attach to the same connection point with no further modification other than the flow control valves that we added to slow the angle action of the plow. If you click on our signature link below you will see the electric valve under our project adding front hydraulics for a bucket grapple or snowplow.

Originally we looked at the single QA plates sold at eBay but after some further thought we figured that the two smaller QA plates might add some additional visibility advantage. After sitting in the seat of the tractor and looking out at the mounted snowplow I don't see that there will ever be any problems with visibility.

JasonL · Nov 7, 2005

Re: QA plate on 7.5\' snowplow for FEL, let it snow

Very nice! I'm in the process of converting a snow plow blade for use on my FEL also. I had planned to attach it solidly similar to Kennyd's setup. I see where several people have concerns about running in float. (possible steering loss due to lack of weight on front wheels) It appears your setup will eliminate that. My question, however, is will the plow ride up over packed snow? Will the weight of the plow itself be enough to keep it down? You probably don't know for sure yet , but was wondering if you had consider that. Maybe instead of a chain some sort of shock absorber setup?? Just trying to decide how to do mine.
Jason

PineRidge · Nov 7, 2005

Re: QA plate on 7.5\' snowplow for FEL, let it snow

Jason I asked myself the very same questions before construction. Consider this: The weight of the plow itself is all that keeps it in contact with the ground/snow when it is mounted on the front of any plow truck and they have done well for years. Even without having yet used it I really don't think lack of down pressure will ever be an issue.

BTW: Thanks for the complement Jason.

Deerlope · Nov 8, 2005

Re: QA plate on 7.5\' snowplow for FEL, let it snow

Nice looking piece of work. Once there is some snow ahead of the plow it will give you all the down pressure that you will ever need. Also when the drive freezes really good you can take the shoes off.

PineRidge · Nov 8, 2005

Re: QA plate on 7.5\' snowplow for FEL, let it snow

 Also when the drive freezes really good you can take the shoes off.



Deetlope thanks for the snowplow tip and complement.

PILOON · Nov 8, 2005

Re: QA plate on 7.5\' snowplow for FEL, let it snow

I plow with an 8' fisher mounted on a GMC 4 x 4 and can assure you that the blade will rarely ride over the pushed snow.
If it does it generally is with heavy wet snow. (the snowman stuff).
On truck rigs they generally provide with 3 rack height positions that are spaced about 1" apart in height, the center being such as to position the rack (or A frame) parallel to the ground.

Using the lower hole will encourage overide and is great for the first snows as it compacts snow and prepares your base for 'shoeless plowing'
Using the upper set of holes gives that slight down pressure that cleans up compacted snow by 'digging in' the blade just enough.

As you see the angle of the push frame to the ground (parallism) is quite critical.
Mind you since you have the 'curl circuit' available from the loader you can adjust that angle at any time while plowing.

Nice project, well documented.

have_blue · Nov 8, 2005

Re: QA plate on 7.5\' snowplow for FEL, let it snow

( my intentions are to lower the FEL until the plow makes good contact with the drive. The fact that the plow pivots on the mount should allow it to track uneven ground while still affording full steering on the TC-40D. I think pushing the loader into the float position might be a mistake and I would think the steering would suffer. )

PR,

This should work fine unless you have bumps and dips in your driveway. With the blade extended that far in front of the front axle, a 3" dip could turn into a 12" movement of the blade in a hurry.

Great project, great pics! Be sure to send pics of it in action when the snows fly!