Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Using a pickup snow blade for my Mahindra

alia176 · Jan 7, 2016

Converted a Meyer snowplow into a SSQA for my Mahindra

Happy NY to all!

I purchased a Meyer 6.5" plow and fabricated a simple mount for the SSQA. I kept the same system as a typical pickup truck so that I can sell this plow if for some reason I need to.

This is the first time I've ever used a snow plow so I'm still figuring some things out. However, the scraper blade (moldbord?) is fairly worn down so I think I'm going to be ordering a new one shortly. Attached are the pics and you'll see a noticeable gap. Even if I remove all the washers and push the skid pucks all the way up, there is still a large enough of a gap. Since I don't have chains, this is probably a good thing, otherwise, the tractor gets pushed around as it is! I'm plowing a dirt/gravel road and a small part of it is a rather steep hill. I tried plowing w/o the pucks and end up digging down into the dirt too much. A friend suggested picking a rubber blade or see if the local DOT might have one that I can cut up and use for my application.

When I turn the plow to one side or the other, there is a noticeable tilt that occurs. Meaning, one corner touched the ground before the other side. Is this a normal thing? I don't think this is a bad thing, just an observation.

Currently, I'm plowing with the front and then clean up with the rear blade. Truthfully, the rear drag blade seems to be a better job doesn't tend to bog the tractor down as much. Tire chains are definitely on my horizon and I"m looking for a set of 18wheeler on CL. This guy is swinging through Albuquerque in a couple of weeks and I'll pick up his old set for $40.

Let me hear your thoughts please.

George2615 · Jan 7, 2016

Re: Converted a Meyer snowplow into a SSQA for my Mahindra

The plow's A frame has to be perfectly level. If it is not the blade will tilt as you describe. It looks like you added adjustable supports. By adjusting those links or changing the curl position on your loader arms you need to get the A frame level. Then the blade can turn side to side evenly without the tilt.

Sprinklerman · Jan 7, 2016

Those 2 stiffeners are great if you want down pressure . But if you want some float attach a chain like they do on the plow trucks . Keep the a frame level and it plows better .

ovrszd · Jan 7, 2016

I agree. Chains will work a LOT better. The blade and it's swivel mechanism will last a LOT longer as well.

alia176 · Jan 8, 2016

Re: Converted a Meyer snowplow into a SSQA for my Mahindra

So what you folks are saying is replace the two turnbuckles with a chain?

ovrszd · Jan 8, 2016

Re: Converted a Meyer snowplow into a SSQA for my Mahindra

alia176 said:
So what you folks are saying is replace the two turnbuckles with a chain?

Yes. This allows the blade moldboard itself to float with uneven terrain without having to lift the entire framework. This makes the blade shoes much more effective.

alia176 · Jan 8, 2016

Re: Converted a Meyer snowplow into a SSQA for my Mahindra

ovrszd said:
Yes. This allows the blade moldboard itself to float with uneven terrain without having to lift the entire framework. This makes the blade shoes much more effective.

Sounds good, I'll install the chains this weekend and see what kind of improvements I see. Thank you.

GPintheMitten · Jan 8, 2016

Re: Converted a Meyer snowplow into a SSQA for my Mahindra

You might be better with one chain in the middle but try it both ways.

alia176 · Jan 8, 2016

I'm curious as to how these two plow blades work when they have no chains? Do they have some type of freedom of movement in the vertical direction that I can't tell by the pics?

ovrszd · Jan 8, 2016

alia176 said:
I'm curious as to how these two plow blades work when they have no chains? Do they have some type of freedom of movement in the vertical direction that I can't tell by the pics?

View attachment 453029 View attachment 453030

These two pictures are perfect examples of what I tried to verbally explain. The blade is held solidly in position in relevance to the Loader Frame.

So, to keep the blade in contact with the ground the Loader must be operated in the float position. This means the entire weight of the loader beams and blade is split in half between the blade shoes and the tractor loader frame. See how much weight that places on the blade shoes??

With a chain or chains the loader is operated with the beam held at a certain height. The blade is then free to pivot on it's bracket and float with the uneven ground conditions because of the slack chain. So the entire weight of the blade and it's angle bracket is split in half between the blade shoes and the hinge pins. Dramatically less weight on the blade shoes??