ssqa snowplow

[chuck172]

I know this has been discussed before, but I can't find any real clear posts. I just bought a 3/8 blank ssqa plate, I have a fisher plow. I figure on welding 4 lugs on the plate to accept the two tabs from the plow. Then run a chain from the plow to the top of the plate. Like most here have done.
When in operation, do I float the loader? Without having an additional set of shoes on the ssqa plate, I'll ground out the bottom of the arms.
Do I keep the loader off the ground a few inches, and let the plow float? This seems like it would work, with one set of plow shoes. Isn't it a pain to drop the loader then raise it slightly? Everytime!
It's important to keep the plow arms level. Should the lugs be welded as low as possible on the plate?

 

[chuck172]

I know this has been discussed before, but I can't find any real clear posts. I just bought a 3/8 blank ssqa plate, I have a fisher plow. I figure on welding 4 lugs on the plate to accept the two tabs from the plow. Then run a chain from the plow to the top of the plate. Like most here have done.
When in operation, do I float the loader? Without having an additional set of shoes on the ssqa plate, I'll ground out the bottom of the arms.
Do I keep the loader off the ground a few inches, and let the plow float? This seems like it would work, with one set of plow shoes. Isn't it a pain to drop the loader then raise it slightly? Everytime!
It's important to keep the plow arms level. Should the lugs be welded as low as possible on the plate?

Anyone? I'd like to get this done today as a storm might be coming in this weekend.

 

[kennyd]

Sometimes it takes more than 12 hours overnight to get a good response...

Most I believe are just floating the plow, because if you float the loader the a frame of the plow will just dig in.

 

[chuck172]

I don't mean to seem impatient. Sorry.
floating the plow: I guess that means that the loader would be raised above ground level of course, and the plow would then tilt up and tilt down following the terrain by pivoting in the two plow lugs. Am I right so far?

 

[vulcancowboy]

Most I believe are just floating the plow, because if you float the loader the a frame of the plow will just dig in.

Agree, I have adapted a 7.5' Meyers plow to fit into my bucket, if I were to float the loader, the bucked would scrape. I guess an alternative would be to use a solid connection rather than a chain to the top link, then you would have to let the loader float to keep the plow on the ground. Maybe someone else will weigh in on this who has more experience than I do. BTW, I hope we get that storm this weekend, I wanna plow!

 

[chuck172]

Wouldn't the chain stop the plow from lowering to follow the ground contour? How can the plow arms remain parallel to the ground, pivoting on the posts, with this setup?

 

[vulcancowboy]

Here is my setup, if I put my loader in float, the bucket, along with the plow, would both be on the ground. If the chain(s) were replaced with a solid link of some sort, I think the plow would be the only thing to touch the ground. The length of the link would be important.

The plow arms would stay parallel to the ground, any pivoting would have to take place within the plow frame.

 

[nybirdman]

You have it right;float the plow not the FEL.Chain of course limits the down but not the "up".Lower the FEL until the plow contacts the surface and it will follow the contours of the ground with out the weight of the FEL.
I have used mine for five years on mostly gravel and it works fine.

Note:You may want to consider a "cross-over relief" valve also.I am adding one to mine as soon as my fittings arrive.I blew a line on the tractor the last time I plowed.Funny I went three years with this set-up without a problem;things happen.

 

[Katahdin]

The plow will follow the ground contour if you allow enough slack in the chain to do so. When fitting the chain set the loader height about 8 inches off the ground. Picture in your head the ground clearance of a plow mount on a pickup, that is the height you'll want to keep your loader arms at when plowing snow.

 

[chuck172]

I got it all done today except for mounting the hydraulic lines. I'm using the rear remotes. I had two 14' lengths of 1/2" hydraulic hose. Wouldn't you know I'm about 2 feet short. I have the cross over relief just hanging there for now.