snow/dozer blade + hydro lift= X

[sqrlgtr 1,043]

Y+Z=X....Just wondering if those using a dozer blade with hydro lift use a solid lift link or a chain? I am going to try and put a blade on the 1257 I got from @WHX?? for the big snows we are going to get this year . The hydro unit is from a 953 if that makes any difference. Y=blade z=1257hydro x= lift link....

[rjg854 12,514]

I use the chain set-up on the C160, for the flexibility on my stone driveway.  Doesn't dig in as much over the undulations of said driveway.

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,734]

Where the lift link hooks to the A-frame some and maybe all have a single hole for the link and next to it is a slotted hole. The slot allows for some float if you use it.

[ebinmaine 74,551]

41 minutes ago, rjg854 said:

I use the chain set-up on the C160, for the flexibility on my stone driveway.  Doesn't dig in as much over the undulations of said driveway.

 

 

 

 

 

36 minutes ago, gwest_ca said:

Where the lift link hooks to the A-frame some and maybe all have a single hole for the link and next to it is a slotted hole. The slot allows for some float if you use it.

 

 

I've considered making a bar with a much longer vertical slot that would allow for more travel. I've never done it because I found with my extremely heavy plow I don't need down pressure. So I just stick to using a chain.

[WHX?? 52,898]

Would be a good tractor for a blade. Especially for moving dirt. All that snow you get!?!?!? I would play around with both lift links. 

[daveoman1966 3,877]

I put a solid lift link on by C-160 Auto with a 48" dozer blade.  Snow and hard-pack have no chance! 

Works great for digging into top soil too...or anything else you wanna move.

It has enough pressure to lift the front wheels off the ground by 3" or more.  

 

 

[sqrlgtr 1,043]

All my driveways are pavement so I might be better off with a chain set up or use the slotted link. I have been known to dig up a little pavement before with just the manual lift . Probally take @WHX?? advice and xperment some if it aint to cold burr. 

 

All that snow you get!?!?!? 

I'm predicting wet winter this year because of all the walnuts and acorns we have this year. Mother nature getting all the animals ready for winter. Dropped a little Hillbilly wisdom right there....

[Ed Kennell 43,098]

7 hours ago, rjg854 said:

I use the chain set-up on the C160, for the flexibility on my stone driveway.  Doesn't dig in as much over the undulations of said driveway.

Same here.

[kpinnc 15,701]

5 hours ago, daveoman1966 said:

It has enough pressure to lift the front wheels off the ground by 3" or more.

 

A word of caution using a solid lift link with hydraulic lift: raising anything with hydraulic lift is done with the "pull" side of the ram. Lowering is done with the "push" or extending the ram.

 

It takes very little to bend the ram on a Wheel Horse lift cylinder. A solid lift link gives nowhere to go for all that pressure if you put it in a bind.  

[pfrederi 18,969]

Too much down pressure with a solid link and you can't steer

 

[Brockport Bill 2,061]

very interesting thread topic  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[daveoman1966 3,877]

1 hour ago, pfrederi said:

Too much down pressure with a solid link and you can't steer

 

When I'm tryin to move something, I reply:  Steerin' don't matter----'Pushin' do.  (that's from an old-time Amish saying:  Kissin' don't last---cookin' do.)

As to bending the ram...never happened in the 25+ years I've had this on my C-160 Auto.  These older hyd cylinders (#6618) are pretty tuff...

 

 

 

[adsm08 3,620]

Chain link lets the blade ride over packed spots on pavement. A solid link lets the whole weight of the tractor come down on it to hold the blade down and break that stuff up.

[kpinnc 15,701]

2 hours ago, daveoman1966 said:

As to bending the ram...never happened in the 25+ years I've had this on my C-160 Auto.  These older hyd cylinders (#6618) are pretty tuff...

 

I think the older machines benefit from several things: as you say, the older cylinders were high quality. 

 

The older machines also had lower charge pump volume and lower volume spool valves. That means slower (not weaker) travel. Might help protect them as well. 

[953 nut 62,157]

20 hours ago, sqrlgtr said:

I'm predicting wet winter this year because of all the walnuts and acorns we have this year. Mother nature getting all the animals ready for winter.

             The same in Western NC, 

I use the chain because we have several grade changes on our driveway and a solid link would mean constant height changes or loss of steering.

[pfrederi 18,969]

Most of what I plow is gravel or dirt so i use a chain, do not need or want to scrape it bare.  I do have a short section with pavers,  I use the solid link and a plastic plow edge as i want to scrape it clear with out scratching the pavers.

[sqrlgtr 1,043]

Good thing I got plow put together and hooked up. 

 

NOAA Weather report for Monday around here.

30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 36.

[ebinmaine 74,551]

22 minutes ago, sqrlgtr said:

Good thing I got plow put together and hooked up. 

 

NOAA Weather report for Monday around here.

30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 36.

 

 

One of the old jokes amongst the hikers here in the White Mountains of Northern New Hampshire and Maine...

 

Any percentage higher than 20% fully equals 100%.

 

We say this because we've been caught in some really really nasty storms on very low chances of probability but if you can use it for your chances of probability to increase ...to plow snow, feel free.

[Handy Don 14,652]

On 11/6/2025 at 3:25 PM, ebinmaine said:

 

 

One of the old jokes amongst the hikers here in the White Mountains of Northern New Hampshire and Maine...

 

Any percentage higher than 20% fully equals 100%.

 

We say this because we've been caught in some really really nasty storms on very low chances of probability but if you can use it for your chances of probability to increase ...to plow snow, feel free.

Probability is how likely it is that you’ll see snow--not how hard or much. 

Probability of winning the Mega is fantastically small, but there are winners!

[ebinmaine 74,551]

13 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Probability is how likely it is that you’ll see snow--not how hard or much. 

Oh yes. We know.....

And it's ALWAYS  50%  where we live. 

 

 

 

 

13 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Probability of winning the Mega is fantastically small, but there are winners!

 

I've often thought it would be very nice to win the lottery.  But I refuse to buy a ticket. I must say that greatly diminishes my odds of winning.  

 

 

 

[squonk 44,615]

On 10/22/2025 at 5:16 PM, kpinnc said:

 

A word of caution using a solid lift link with hydraulic lift: raising anything with hydraulic lift is done with the "pull" side of the ram. Lowering is done with the "push" or extending the ram.

 

It takes very little to bend the ram on a Wheel Horse lift cylinder. A solid lift link gives nowhere to go for all that pressure if you put it in a bind.  

Not to mention a cracked hood stand where it connects to the frame

 

Edited 14 hours ago by squonk