Snow Plow Build Finished - Underslung QA Loader Mount

[Industrial Toys]

I did exactly the same thing back in 2006 to reduce equipment length.

Sorry, not a great picture. Seems like I must have snagged something plowing snow!



I did add side supports later as the flexing was breaking welds.

Better picture



It does look a bit goofy from this angle.

 

[CsaUpstateNY]

There is plenty of room between the back of the frame and the front of the grille guard so no issue with raising the loader (see pic). I also designed the frame so it is narrow enough to fit between the loader arms if I were to rotate it like dumping the bucket. I can rotate it so the plow hangs vertical without any part of the frame hitting the loader.

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Decided to mount under 580D ended up a lot simpler build. The front axle is a beast so built this frame to use the 2" pivot pin so plow pivots independent of the axle but stresses are distributed to the 8"x2" front axle. Just did a test plow... more pics in daylight tomorrow

 

[CsaUpstateNY]

Decided to mount under 580D ended up a lot simpler build. The front axle is a beast so built this frame to use the 2" pivot pin so plow pivots independent of the axle but stresses are distributed to the 8"x2" front axle. Just did a test plow... more pics in daylight tomorrow View attachment 579108View attachment 579109View attachment 579110

Got a good test this morning worked like a champ. Glad I left the bucket on front is still a bit light.... might need to carry a bucket of snow.

 

[CsaUpstateNY]

Got a good test this morning worked like a champ. Glad I left the bucket on front is still a bit light.... might need to carry a bucket of snow.View attachment 579145View attachment 579146

Think the plow is close enough that I will be able to secure it in up position and still have full use of the loader for managing piles

 

[LouNY]

Nice setup on the old Case.:thumbsup:

 

[Gordon Gould]

Finally finished my underslung plow frame project. Plow is an 8 Fisher Speedcast I picked up on Craigslist for $300, a steal considering it also included all the truck side frame and hydraulics.

The quick attach plate is a 5/16 thick version. The horizontal frame tubes are 3 inch 1/4 inch wall square tubing. I welded a piece of 4 inch 5/16 thick angle flat to the bottom bent part of the QA plate and across the face of the plate to give strength to the QA plate. I then welded the 3 square tube to the bottom of the angle. The support gussets are 3/8 thick plate that was water-jet cut based on a template I had made. I filled the space at the top of the gussets with 1/4 inch flat bar. The rear cross member where the plow attaches is the original truck side lower member that is an I-beam with the mounting pins attached. The verticals between the square tube and the I-beam are pieces of 4 channel notched to fit the I-beam and welded to form a rectangular tube. At the top rear of the QA plate I welded in a piece of 2 inch x 1/4 angle which centers the QA plate between my loader mounts and also reinforces the QA for the chain lift point.

I did a lot of research and looked at A LOT of other designs by users on this site when I was planning my project. I determined that shifting the plow attachment points rearward by using this type of mount removes some of the lateral leverage the plow has on the loader and also shortens the length the plow adds to the tractor. This plow is mounted 14 inches rearward of where it would be if I just attached pin mounts to the face of the QA plate. I could have gone further back but was limited by the two pieces of 3 square tubing (since I found them in a scrap bin and they were free).

Another key factor was the plow had to have a chain to lift it which allows the plow to float on the ground without having to constantly adjust the loader height while plowing. If the plow is rigidly mounted to the QA plate then you either have to keep adjusting the height or use the loader float function. Using the float function is not desirable because it shifts the weight of the loader lift arms to the plow from the front wheels reducing front end traction.

Total money invested is just under $600 which includes the plow, paint, hoses, and crossover relief valve. I probably have about 40 hours into it as well.

To anyone looking to build their own underslung plow I am posting this here so you can steal any of the ideas I used to build mine.

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Been thinking about your nice plow. Wondering if you have had enough snow yet to try it out and what you think about it.

gg

 

[TractorNH]

Been thinking about your nice plow. Wondering if you have had enough snow yet to try it out and what you think about it.

gg

We had one plowable storm of about 8" of wet snow and considering the gravel driveway was still a bit soft it worked well. I did make one simple 5 minute modification which was to shorten the chain by a few links. Was a simple adjustment since one side has a link for adjustment. The reason was when I would just use the loader to raise the plow I had too much chain so the angle of the cutting edge would change too much and the plow would dig in when I wanted it to just go up.

I also put my tire chains on the front because the R4's really are as bad in the snow and ice as people say. I need them to improve steering control when trying to turn while plowing.

 

[Gordon Gould]

We had one plowable storm of about 8" of wet snow and considering the gravel driveway was still a bit soft it worked well. I did make one simple 5 minute modification which was to shorten the chain by a few links. Was a simple adjustment since one side has a link for adjustment. The reason was when I would just use the loader to raise the plow I had too much chain so the angle of the cutting edge would change too much and the plow would dig in when I wanted it to just go up.

I also put my tire chains on the front because the R4's really are as bad in the snow and ice as people say. I need them to improve steering control when trying to turn while plowing.

Thanks. Were the front chains enough to solve your problem ?? And did you try your steering brakes ? If so how effective were they ?

gg

 

[TractorNH]

Thanks. Were the front chains enough to solve your problem ?? And did you try your steering brakes ? If so how effective were they ?

gg

The chains worked great. Even with the loaded rear tires and my over 800lb snowblower on the back I don't think steering with the brakes would have been effective given how slippery it was and the poor traction of the R4's in the snow.

 

[Ford850]

We had one plowable storm of about 8" of wet snow and considering the gravel driveway was still a bit soft it worked well. I did make one simple 5 minute modification which was to shorten the chain by a few links. Was a simple adjustment since one side has a link for adjustment. The reason was when I would just use the loader to raise the plow I had too much chain so the angle of the cutting edge would change too much and the plow would dig in when I wanted it to just go up.

I also put my tire chains on the front because the R4's really are as bad in the snow and ice as people say. I need them to improve steering control when trying to turn while plowing.

Heavy wet snow on a soft driveway is the worst condition for me. If you master that, the rest of the winter will be a piece of cake.