Go BottomAngle and Tilt control snowplowing with FEL
 | boatyard
Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 6 Buckland Massachusetts 
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2008-10-27 157522
This is my first tractor, and this site has been a great help, I have learned a lot. Thanks! This is my first posting. Here goes.
I just bought a New Holland TC35A with a quick release FEL. I have purchased an older NH under mount plow blade, and have a clear plan to fabricate it to a quick release plate,etc.
The tractor does not have a remote hydraulic line, so the dealer suggested that I steal the bucket tilt line for the blade angle, and then just chain the quick release plate back/up to the loader arms. This seems as if it should work once I get past welding hooks on the spotless arms.
Another option that I am wondering about is the possibility of putting in a selector valve in the line to the bucket tilt, and sharing this line with the blade angle.
Of course I could spend the money and install the remote, but have spent all of the money that I would like to spend this season/year, what with a new/used tractor purchase and all.
How have other people handled this?
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Add PhotoAngle and Tilt control snowplowing with FEL
 | auerbach
Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2168 West of Toronto 
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2008-10-27 157523
For just a few hundred bucks you could get a rear blade (which you might use for other leveling in the summer) and use it in conjunction with the FEL. ....
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Add PhotoAngle and Tilt control snowplowing with FEL
| hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3583 iowa
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2008-10-28 157526
Not to muddy the waters too much here, but unless you want to build this blade just for the satisfaction of having built it I'd take another route. My number one first choice for snow removal is a rear mount blower in combination with a FEL. You are going to need some weight on the rear of your tractor for safety reasons, a common three point blade don't add much weight, so my second choice if not the blower would be a three point box blade with scarifier teeth. They add a lot of rear weight and are one of the most usefull tools you will ever own summer or winter. Frank. ....
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Add PhotoAngle and Tilt control snowplowing with FEL
| auerbach
Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2168 West of Toronto
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2008-10-28 157527
Yes, forgot to mention that I added substantial weight to my blade. A box blade has the weight and good summer uses, but doesn't move snow well. ....
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Add PhotoAngle and Tilt control snowplowing with FEL
| boatyard
Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 6 Buckland Massachusetts
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2008-10-28 157528
Nice try at muddying the waters, but the blade is bought, and a buddy will be welding away soon. I lived for many years at a home with a serious driveway, [1000 ft, sharp turns, steep in places] that is still plowed with a blade on the FEL. It works great. My driveway is shorter [250ft] but has turns and is a bit steep. His tractor has a rear remote with a selector valve to switch between the rear mounted snowblower and the blade angle.
I was hoping that some of the folks who actually have a blade on their FEL would speak up about how they have set up the hydraulics.
Thanks, Christopher ....
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Add PhotoAngle and Tilt control snowplowing with FEL
 | Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2008-10-28 157529
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I guess I might as well step in here then, Christopher.
There are two ways to give the new blade motion.
You need to use the hydraulics from your FEL itself. That can be done either just putting a T-fitting in the circuit that runs your bucket tilt then use a set of bars or chain to shackle the bucket in a fixed position so all the hydraulic force is redirected to your plow blade.
The other way is to put a 12 volt operated 3 way valve on that same circuit and use a switch on the dash to alternate between the two functions.
I should add a stern caution here though, if that blade you have does not have a spring-loaded trip mechanism in it you ARE going to do a world of hurt to you, the plow, the FEL and/or the tractor itself eventually, maybe all of them.
It's amazing how small a lump of frozen whatever can do some real damage when you hit it.
I would also strenuously caution against welding to the FEL itself, find another way. Even a relatively small weld can have a profound effect of the steel.
If you look at my picture # 15 you will see how I did it on one of my machines.
Best of luck. ....
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Add PhotoAngle and Tilt control snowplowing with FEL
| boatyard
Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 6 Buckland Massachusetts
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2008-10-28 157531
Thanks. I have downloaded your pic, #15. Pretty much my buddies setup.
Earlier today the mechanic at New Holland said basically the same thing about welding to the FEL. A no, no. That had been the salesman's idea.
And the blade is spring loaded.
You say",then use a set of bars or chain to shackle the bucket in a fixed position," etc. Shackle to what?
Christopher ....
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Add PhotoAngle and Tilt control snowplowing with FEL
| Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2008-10-28 157532
There's almost always something to mount to, even if just the mounts for the cylinders themselves.
If the pins the cylinders run on are removed they can be replaced for the winter with longer pins allowing a mount to straddle the cylinder and it's mounting boss.
In a worst case scenario there is normally a cross-brace that runs between the two FEL arms, just be careful not to bend it.
It's a better option IMHO (and a lot less work) to spend the few bucks and install 3 way electric valves on the bucket curl circuit and then just flip a switch to choose between which circuit you want to be 'live' at any one time. With the curl function you can tip the plow as you lift the FEL to level it, or to tip it back to allow easier stacking. In fact unless your buddy is working for free, including beer or coffee, it's probably cheaper to go the electric valve route too.
Best of luck. ....
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Add PhotoAngle and Tilt control snowplowing with FEL
| boatyard
Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 6 Buckland Massachusetts
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2008-10-28 157536
I just checked in with the welder and was very pleased with the plan in place.
The three way electric valve sounds great. Do you have a favorite vendor,ie; someone who is use to dealing with the general public. I have Northern Hydraulics contact info. Any others out there?
The other piece of hardware that has been mentioned is a selector valve, or a diverter valve.[ I think that they are the same thing.] I believe that this is a mechanical device. Any experience? Any thoughts? Any important information that I should track down before I contact vendors about whichever switch I go with, and all of the hoses, fittings and such? Just to minimize the dumb questions!
Thanks, Christopher ....
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Add PhotoAngle and Tilt control snowplowing with FEL
 | earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2008-10-28 157539
Chris, basically you have the same set-up I made for my buddy's skid steer. He has only one remote that operates angling; the height is controlled by the loader bucket or in your case the FEL arms. All I did was get a truck-style plow complete with A-frame and weld brackets inside the loader bucket which take the place of the truck mount. A short chain with 6" of slack goes from the bottom of the bucket up to the A-frame. This allows for down force but allows for float too.
A selector valve in the loader bucket circuit would be ideal since you don't have a remote. (Just remember that selector valves don't like to moved under backpressure--so when you need to select be sure there is nothing creating backpressure. Another way is install a high-pressure hydraulic ball valve and a T at the loader bucket fitting to direct fluid to the angling cylinders. To do this you'll need to raise the FEL and tlt the bucket to the right attitude then turn the valves. I have used gas-line ball valves but they leak.
As far as setting up the plow inself goes, if it's from a dodnor truck, be sure it is sitting on the ground at the right attitude to the ground: if the p-low pivot point is not perpendicular to the ground, or plumb, anmgling will jack up one side or the other.
....
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Add PhotoAngle and Tilt control snowplowing with FEL
| hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3583 iowa
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2008-10-28 157541
Boatyard; Sorry I cramped your style by suggesting a rear mount blower. Your sarcasim is not appreciated here. Frank. ....
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Add PhotoAngle and Tilt control snowplowing with FEL
| Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2008-10-29 157556
EW brings up an important point that often gets over-looked when doing this sort of thing.
There is a world of difference between plowing snow with a SSL (skid-steer loader) and a CUT (compact utility tractor).
A SSL has a very set balance because of it's design, and has the ability to steer nearly as well with the front wheels unloaded by down-pressure on the FEL as with all 4 wheels on the ground.
A CUT is nearly useless without the proper ratio of weight front to back.
It is very important when plowing snow with a CUT that the plow blade is NOT rigidly mounted to the FEL, but rather allowed to pivot exactly the same way it does when mounted on a truck. This allows the weight of the FEL to sit over the front axle adding traction to the steering wheels.
Skeptics, especially people who make rigid blades, will tell you the rigid mount is required so you can apply down-pressure to scrape packed or wet snow clean. This is not true, lifting the FEL, and pivoting the curl circuit down and making the blade meet the ground at an angle closer to 90° than 45° will do exactly the same thing but with NO loss of traction.
As for valves, yes, all the valves mentioned are basically the same beast, the only difference is whether they are mechanical or electrically operated. Just use an appropriate size from your favourite vendor in either mechanical or electric, depending on your taste or budget.
As Frank mentioned already, we're a pretty friendly bunch around here, so if an idea is offered, you can be assured, it's only done in the spirit of trying to help.
Best of luck. ....
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Add PhotoAngle and Tilt control snowplowing with FEL
| boatyard
Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 6 Buckland Massachusetts
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2008-10-29 157557
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Sorry Frank,
No offense meant.
Thanks Christopher ....
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