TiltPlow design - Looking for feedback

[StevenChalmers]

I have updated my TiltPlow design and would like to hear your thoughts on it. The TiltPlow allows the operator to change the blade angle, without the expense of plow hydraulics.

Hydraulic control of the blade angle is a luxury, but if you want to save some money, the TiltPlow is ideal.

The TiltPlow makes use of the FEL tilt function to lock and unlock the blade rotation. You tilt the FEL forward to unlock the rotation, and tilt it back to lock it. While the blade rotation is unlocked you can affect the blade angle by driving forward or reverse with the wheels turned either direction. Because the blade is resting on the ground, the angle between the tractor and the blade will change. When the desired angle is reached, you tilt the FEL back and lock the angle.

I have several videos here: https://chalmersinnovations.com/pages/tiltplow

It works like a champ and is a joy to use.

The TiltPlow is patent pending. I am currently looking to license it for manufacture.


Some additional points:

• Hydraulics are way better
  • Agreed, but adding hydraulic control to the front of the tractor is expensive as is a hydraulic controlled blade. Certainly a luxury, but it is pricey.
• The blade angle is persisted when you raise the loader
  • If you need to push snow up and beyond a pile you can do that by raising the loader. The angle of the blade will not be affected.
• Is the mechanism robust?
  • Tremendously. It is a very simple design that is easily made to be very robust.
• Can it work on a bucket?
  • Yes! I am building that framework right now and will be able to demonstrate it soon.
• What size tractor would it work on?
  • Any! The design easily scales to accommodate larger tractors. I am using the prototype on a 40 HP CUT.
• Can the angle be adjusted while moving?
  • Yes! In the video link above I show it moving from straight ahead plowing to angle plowing and from slight-right plowing to full-right plowing.
• What's up with the skid at the back of the TiltPlow?
  • The TiltPlow can be thought of as a carriage mounted to the FEL at a pivot point. Because the tilt function is being used to lock and unlock the rotation, the TiltPlow must sit on the ground as a carriage, with the blade holding up the front of the carriage and the rear skid holding up the back. The plow can be left on the ground while backing up with no issue. In fact, I often plow in reverse.
  • The carriage design is advantageous on high and low points in the road as it is perfectly follows the contours.
• How do you know when the rotation is unlocked?
  • The TiltPlow features a mechanical indicator to let you know when the blade rotation is unlocked. You can see the indicator in the videos. When it is vertical the rotation is unlocked.
• How many angles can the blade be set to?
  • 5. Straight-ahead plowing and 2 left and 2 right positions.
• Money saving design for the long term.
  • Since the TiltPlow does not use hydraulics of its own, the maintenance will be nearly zero. With no hoses to leak and no cylinders to fail you can rest assured the TiltPlow will be maintenance free.

 

[coobie]

Can not get any of your videos to pay

 

[Fallon]

I have a 3rd function & hydraulic SSQA plow already, so not your target market... Does this design have any vertical or rotational float built in? That's a bigger deal for tractors than a skid steer. I really miss float on my new commercial plow vs my old home brew one. I suspect your lock mechanism may preclude float a bit.

It also looks like it sticks out a lot. Which is another weak point of tractor plowing vs skid steer.

 

[StevenChalmers]

I have a 3rd function & hydraulic SSQA plow already, so not your target market... Does this design have any vertical or rotational float built in? That's a bigger deal for tractors than a skid steer. I really miss float on my new commercial plow vs my old home brew one. I suspect your lock mechanism may preclude float a bit.

It also looks like it sticks out a lot. Which is another weak point of tractor plowing vs skid steer.

Hi Fallon,

It does have vertical float in two ways. First, the loader is operated in float mode, so that lets the TiltPlow move up and down relative to the tractor. The second way it floats is in the fact that it is its own carriage and it connected to the loader by a single pivot point. The TiltPlow pivots on that connection to follow ups and downs in the road.

The prototype TiltPlow is based on a LandPride blade. My modification only extends the plow a few inches. I find it works perfectly and does not feel like it is too far forward of the tractor at all.


Steven

PS. You are just down the road from me! I am in Castle Rock. Let me know if you ever care to take a look at it.

 

[npalen]

Very interesting! I assume you've had a search done for prior art? Best of luck with your design.

Edit: You mentioned float side to side because of a pivot but must be hidden in the video?

 

[StevenChalmers]

Very interesting! I assume you've had a search done for prior art? Best of luck with your design.

Thanks! Correct. I found no existing patents for this type of mechanism and then paid my patent attorney to do the same. Fingers crossed!

 

[StevenChalmers]

Can not get any of your videos to pay

So what happens when you follow this link to my website? Can you see the videos there?

https://chalmersinnovations.com/pages/tiltplow


Steven

 

[coobie]

So what happens when you follow this link to my website? Can you see the videos there?

https://chalmersinnovations.com/pages/tiltplow


Steven

No vid goes for 1-2 minutes and is blank.Just a heads up

 

[Fallon]

I'm about 15 minutes east of Parker. Mostly gravel or dirt driveways here. And you know how much things thaw out here frequently, so we can't count on gravel underneath being frozen solid.

Loader float really doesn't work with a plow or bucked when pushing. Front wheels end up lifting off the ground. You loose traction, steering & what not.

My old plow had float on the SSQA & was great for following uneven ground. My new plow is solid mounted & tends to leave more snow in dips & at the same time plow more gravel.

What's the price difference between your plow & a similar LandPride?

 

[StevenChalmers]

I'm about 15 minutes east of Parker. Mostly gravel or dirt driveways here. And you know how much things thaw out here frequently, so we can't count on gravel underneath being frozen solid.

Loader float really doesn't work with a plow or bucked when pushing. Front wheels end up lifting off the ground. You loose traction, steering & what not.

My old plow had float on the SSQA & was great for following uneven ground. My new plow is solid mounted & tends to leave more snow in dips & at the same time plow more gravel.

What's the price difference between your plow & a similar LandPride?

As I have only built a prototype, I can't speak to the cost difference between a standard, manual adjust blade and the TiltPlow. Of course the TiltPlow will be more expensive but shouldn't add too much. The real savings is not having to plumb hydraulics to the front of the tractor.

I guess I don't follow your comment on the loader float not really working when pushing. I have been having great success with the TiltPlow following a paved ditch that crosses one of my neighbor's lanes. It is possible that it is working so well because it acts as its own carriage and can pivot at the connection to the loader.