Snow plow hydraulics

[Bigboyskioti]

I'm getting ready to put cylinders on my new to me plow. I've been thinking should I set the up/down so that I can actually dig down an inch or maybe two? I know My CK20 isn't a dozer but I could use it to move light material around. So what do you think?

 

[kennyd]

I take it this is not a factory plow? Does it have trip springs?

Most factory setup's have downpressure, and can raise the front wheels off the ground about 3" or so. They are also setup with trip springs that prety much won't let you "dig" with them. There is a whole lot more stress on the plow fram and tractor pushing dirt or stone than snow.

 

[SkunkWerX]

The blades often have a locking pin. With the pin "in" the blade is locked for dozing. With the Pin "out" it allows the blade to pivot and the trip springs to expand should you hit an obstacle.

If you have a locking pin, then yes, it is also a dozer blade.
There is nothing wrong with dozing an inch off the top of the ground, or pushing around loose dirt. Just be careful of obstacles.

Also, as kennyD mentioned above, your hydraulics should provide some down pressure, and the idea of about an inch or two below grade is a good one even for snow, since there are dips and bumps in driveways.

The last item of importance is a Float mechanism. This allows the blade to move up and down as you go over uneven terrain. It can be a simple pivoting linkage. On mine, for snow, I lower until the blade touches ground, then i lower a little more which causes some slack in the float. This way as i run over small dips and bumps the blade stays true to the surface.

Without float you will be compressing the blade onto the ground which lightens the front end, or when your front wheels go over a small bump the blade lifts up off thre surface slightly.

Do you have any pictures??

 

[Bigboyskioti]

No this is not a factory blade. Kioti does not offer a blade for thier tractors. I'm going to use the loader joystick for the float. The blade does have trip springs but they are just about shot looks like something had sat on them for awhile. I'm planning to get new ones. It does not have a locking pin but I had planned to make my own. I do not have any pics of this yet, I bought it then had a nice time in the hospital (scheduled) an haven't had very much time to play with it. I have it mounted on my tractor and at the time I use the FEL to raise and lower it. Have to get off to angle it though. So that's what I'm in the process of doing. I even got to use it for the whole 2 inches of snow that we've had. I'll get some pics up soon. I know how much everyone likes pictures.

 

[dirtworksequip]

BigBoyski, actually you will find that 1 or 2 inches will not be enough cut below level for the blade. I'd go at least 4 inches and 5 or 6 would be even better.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[Bigboyskioti]

You really think that a 2500lb machine can push that much dirt? 4 to 5 inches? I would think that the wheels would spin before it would push that kind of load.

 

[mopacman]

you might need that much to keep the blade on the road if the front wheels run over a 3" rise when pushing snow......Larry

 

[dirtworksequip]

It's not a matter of taking a 5 or 6 inch cut. If you are pushing on anything other than dead level you will find that your blade will be hanging in the air instead of moving dirt. You need the blade to go below level in order to follow the ground.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[Bigboyskioti]

Well I got the snowplow on with the up/down cylinder. The angle one needs plumbed. We got about 2 inches this morning, and the lifting was great. It'll lift the front off the ground about 3 inches. which is great except no steering. Overall though I'm happy with the results. Now I just have to get that angle plumbed up so I won't have to get off the tractor. I took some pics but the camera fogged and you can't see very well.