SSQA Plate Thickness For FEL Plow

Hdoilcan · Feb 7, 2014

I'm picking up a nice used Western plow tomorrow to convert into a FEL plow. I see they have SSQA plates in different thicknesses and I'm wondering what thickness to go with 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", or 1/2"? I don't want to have to buy the 1/2" one if I don't have to due to a large price increase. I will be mounting this plow using the float method with a chain for now and mabe this summer convert it over to the down pressure method.

RickB · Feb 7, 2014

You will never know if your plate is too strong. You will know when it is too weak. Your operating conditions and style will dictate the needed strength of the components you use. We can't answer that.

bandaidmd · Feb 7, 2014

Hdoilcan said:
I'm picking up a nice used Western plow tomorrow to convert into a FEL plow. I see they have SSQA plates in different thicknesses and I'm wondering what thickness to go with 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", or 1/2"? I don't want to have to buy the 1/2" one if I don't have to due to a large price increase. I will be mounting this plow using the float method with a chain for now and mabe this summer convert it over to the down pressure method.

The 3/8 should be enough but i would not mount the A frame directly to it without first running a stout piece of channel across the width of the ssqa plate, making the bottom basically a box beam .
Weld your mounting ears on the channel so you spread out the load .

CJONE · Feb 7, 2014

It would take way more than a CUT to bend a braced 3/8" plate. I built my lift pole with a 3/8" and it does not even flex without bracing. A properly braced 1/4" would do but only you can decide what that is since you are building it. Go with the 3/8" like bandaidmd said. CJ

Hdoilcan · Feb 8, 2014

bandaidmd said:
The 3/8 should be enough but i would not mount the A frame directly to it without first running a stout piece of channel across the width of the ssqa plate, making the bottom basically a box beam .
Weld your mounting ears on the channel so you spread out the load .

This is what I'll do

Buckgnarly · Feb 8, 2014

I went with 5/16, welded the push beam from an old Fisher Speedcast right to it. You'll fine fine with anything 1/4 and up, more than strong enough to hang the weight of the plow and withstand the pushing of snow.

dstig1 · Feb 8, 2014

3/8" is pretty massive. Unless you are planning on a 9' or so plow, I would thin 5/16" is way sufficient. I used 3/8" and frankly it was too heavy for a 7'6" Meyers.