Snow moving. Not as easy as I thought

[oldafretired]

This looks really interesting and would solve the issue that I think is the problem..... too much weight. I agree that there is too much weight pushing down that adds to the digging in. Would it be possible to get a few more shots of how exactly that is made. Someone mentioned earlier in this post about hanging the blade by chains and I couldn't quite picture it, but now I have a general idea and I think this would solve alot of my issues. This would be the reason why the quad blade works so well, because it's just the weight of the blade pressing down.

Here's a few more photos:





This shows how the blade can move up and down off the SSQA plate and also how it can oscillate (rotate) around the center bolt. One good thing about rotation is that it can correct for the tilting of the blade when it's angled.



And a side view of the rubber edge that I put on after removing the steel edge that comes with the blade for unfrozen gravel:

 

[Backlight]

Are you happy with the blade?

I looked, there are no dealers near me in Ontario that sell Hiniker. I'd have to see about purchasing in NY state. I paid around $1600 US for my HLA.. Is this in the same ballpark?

 

[Stomper]

Thanks oldafretired, that's a cool set up and the pictures give me a good idea how its made. Is that a metal plow blade frame and a poly blade bolted to it. If so that would make it real light. Does the oscillation function just rotate on its own with the angle/contour of the ground. I have some areas around buildings that I plow that have a grade to them for shedding rain and snowmelt away from the building where that would come in real handy.

 

[LD48750]

Did you have to slow the blade speed down at all?

I've never cut metal with a blade going as fast as it does on my radial arm saw.

No, the blade is rated for 8000RPM.
I do STRONGLY recommend long sleeves, gloves & a face mask of some kind, the chips are sharp & hot.

It REALLY impressed me with how clean it cut. It was slower then cutting wood but I didn't push it to see how fast it would cut.
I wouldn't hesitate to put it on a table saw if I had one.

 

[oldafretired]

Are you happy with the blade?

I looked, there are no dealers near me in Ontario that sell Hiniker. I'd have to see about purchasing in NY state. I paid around $1600 US for my HLA.. Is this in the same ballpark?

View attachment 529030

I was able to test it for the first time after the first snowfall here two weeks ago and it worked great so far.
It was a bit more than that with shipping.

Thanks oldafretired, that's a cool set up and the pictures give me a good idea how its made. Is that a metal plow blade frame and a poly blade bolted to it. If so that would make it real light. Does the oscillation function just rotate on its own with the angle/contour of the ground. I have some areas around buildings that I plow that have a grade to them for shedding rain and snowmelt away from the building where that would come in real handy.

Hiniker makes two versions of the Big Ox Plow. One is the CUT version like mine with the poly blade, the other is the skid steer version with a steel blade. The guy that made the video below has the steel version on his Kioti. The video shows how the blade moves independently of the loader arms. He was the one that suggested this plow.

Kioti Tractor Snow Plowing the Trails Demonstrating 8' Hiniker Big Ox Plow Articulation - YouTube

 

[aczlan]

I put a piece of steel pipe over the cutting edge on our 7 foot front mount snowblower, that significantly reduced how much gravel it was picking up which is important because we have a gravel driveway and the blower does not have skid shoes on it.

Aaron Z

 

[Backlight]

Thanks oldafretired.. Might start this winter with putting a pipe over the cutting edge. Then either have my HLA modified to free float, or sell and try a Hiniker.

 

[Garandman]

 

[NoTrespassing]

FYI a good shop vac works well to get gravel out of the grass. No matter what I've tried over the 17 years I've lived on this property, I manage to get at least a little gravel in the yard. It mostly depends on how winter hits. If we get a wet snow and a hard freeze after, the gravel will set well and I can plow snow with the back blade without much trouble. If the gravel doesn't freeze well, it's a lot more difficult. On the flat part of the drive I leave an inch or 2 of snow anyway. On the steep hills I have to scrape it all off or only 4x4's can get in and out. I've learned to always keep a load of 1 inch crush at the top of the hill to spread during winter.

Kevin

 

[Stomper]

Now that is cool. Awesome