How much forward lean is too much with an elevated plow??

Hi guys,

I tested out driving with my plow set-up today by jacking it up and hanging the chain on the cylinder high enough to keep the plow elevated (no fluid or belt yet, soon though)

the result is this:






Is he leaning a little too far forward? Or is that about what's to be expected with an elevated plow? I have some great counter weight I will be using while plowing, but just interested in some opinions....

PS yeah I know I still gotta weld up those triangulated beams there, that is next weekend...

 

your probrobly bottomed out on the bumpstops. Not really much you can do about it unless you put in heavy duty springs or air shocks in front. Unless you extend the bump stops for winter. Itll level you out a little and take some of the stress off the springs

 

I told you plows were heavy... ;-)

Try some coil-spring shocks in the front.

 

i wonder if overload springs would fit the front of a jeep they are cheap and easy to remove or put on

 

XX tried to edit, never mind message is below

 

I need to check today to see if i am hitting the bumpstops. All interesting info, Pete, you did warn me about the weight...

 

I guess my fear is bending or mis-shaping my semi-ellipticals - am i in danger of doing so??

 

I have no idea how old they are could be original for all I know, LOL, BUT I am only plowing my driveway, and maybe a neighbor...

 

Set the plow on the ground, see how much room you have between the bumpstops and the top of the axle. My original 5 leaf springs were flat, only had about 1 1/2" on the left, 2" on the right. With new stock 6 leaf (they were 7 leaf, took one out) I have an easy 3" on either side.

 

Sounds like a good idea, i think mine are not yet flat but not as good as new either!

 

I don't think you will bend the springs drastically, but over time I have no doubt they would flatten out.

 

your going to need A LOT of weight in the rear of that jeep if you want to move any type of snow. and that might level you out a bit. without the weight to counter the new weight in the front the rear will spin and not grab as good. you might need 500 to 600 pounds at the least in the rear. i have an old garden tractor that has a 48" snowblower for the front and it needs 400 pounds of ballast when i have the thing on the front.

 

"without the weight to counter the new weight in the front the rear will spin and not grab as good"

True enough. Although I've plowed a lot without counterweight. Okay pushing but sometimes backing out of a drift (with the blade lifted) can be less effective, and in heavy snow the tail will tend to go sideways in reaction from the plow angle. Best answer is to plow "early and often."

 

But in 4wd am i not counteracting the less grab of the rear? I've got about 175 pounds for the rear... all behind the axle

 

That's probably enough to get you started. I would figure about 75% of the weight of the plow for a counterweight on a short wheelbase. The further back the better.

 

By the looks of things you need to add a couple of front spring leaves for the winter.. Some weight in the back would be helpful, I don't know if 500 lbs may be a bit much tho. There are add on air bags you can use to level out the jeep, but they are a bit spendy. EVery plow truck I have owned drops the front end substantially when the plow was lifted but your jeep looks liek it might be almost bottomed out. Be real careful not to hit hard bumps with the plow lifted , it isn't good for the suspension.

By any chance is your plow a little forward of the normal mounting position? With the plow angled fully, if you have a lot room between the plow and the bumper ends you might be able to move the plow back some.....but remember a load of snow and weird angles may cause things to be closer than they look in dry testing.

 

1 - My plow subframe is mounted in preexisting holes in the frame of the Jeep, so I don't think it is any further forward.

2 - the plow will be primarily in the DOWN position or off the Jeep.

3 - Since I can lift half of the plow blade on my own, no way I need a total of 500 pounds offset weight

4 - Gonna get a close look at the front bump stops

5 - I can ADD leaves to leaf springs? Huh...never thought of that.....

 

I would give these guys a shout they should be able to make a 2nd full wrap like the military and overloads, they are in rochester NY. my dad has gone with them for his f-250 and was pleased (I haven't personally worked with them) http://www.thruwayspring.com/
mine had 1/4" plate for a bed (150lbs) as it was a plow truck all it's life. and i would add 200lbs and it's cab is quite heavy 3-400lbs

 

OK so my bump stops are about 1-2 inches above the axle with the plow elevated.