Down Pressure on Snow Plow

[SgtBob 27]

Today I tried something new !! I finally got arouund to attaching the snow plow on my 416H. This year I found and installed a solid lift link to give the plow down pressure. In years past I just attached the plow to the tractor using chain links. My question is ............. from other members experience is the down pressure a good thing ? I see a problem arising if I try to plow a path in the lawn from the back garage to the house and rolling up the grass.

I have attached a couple photos because we all like them

In the photo showing the front tires lifted off the ground I put a block of wood under the plow just so it was clearer to see.

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,532]

The only potential issue I see with that set up is you could have too much pressure on the extension piece that is welded to the rockshaft and you could end up breaking the weld. I have been there and it is a pita to remove and re weld. ran into that problem during testing for our 3 point hitches. My plow tractor is a 417-8 this year and I plan on applying down pressure using a single suitcase weight hung over the center of the plow. Your set up looks good !!

[dgoyette 12]

Nice 416. I did not know the 416 had controls on the column! I see yours is a 1994. Do you know (or does anyone know) what years had this?

Very nice set up - looks like you are all set. I have used down pressure and it is very nice for clean up if you have a paved drive. I do not use the link a lot because I have uneven terrain and a lot of float is better for me. The float setting is usually not enough so I just use chain.

[wallfish 18,092]

I say down presure is a good thing. It only works when you push on the lever so if it didn't dig into the grass before then don't push on the lever. Most of the time the blade has enough weight but there are plenty of times when added presure will help.

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,149]

I did not know the 416 had controls on the column! I see yours is a 1994. Do you know (or does anyone know) what years had this?

My "95" has them.

Mike..........

[dgoyette 12]

I say down presure is a good thing. It only works when you push on the lever so if it didn't dig into the grass before then don't push on the lever. Most of the time the blade has enough weight but there are plenty of times when added presure will help.

Not on a hydraulic lift though. The blade stays put where you stop it so on uneven terrain it can mean a lot of lift lever work. On mine I go down to gravel in places where I do not want too (for blowing) when I use the link.

[Forest Road 594]

The only potential issue I see with that set up is you could have too much pressure on the extension piece that is welded to the rockshaft and you could end up breaking the weld. I have been there and it is a pita to remove and re weld. ran into that problem during testing for our 3 point hitches. My plow tractor is a 417-8 this year and I plan on applying down pressure using a single suitcase weight hung over the center of the plow. Your set up looks good !!

Good to know! Hadn't given it that much thought. I was all set to go solid link for the 312-8 this winter. Might have to reconsider.....

[wallfish 18,092]

Sorry, did think about the hydro.

One end of the link should be slotted and that will allow the plow to float.

[sorekiwi 761]

The other thing you might run into is that it takes weight off the front wheels and you cant steer!

But I always use a solid link on my (manual) tractors.

[64s 83]

I have had a solid link on my 312-8 since 1998 and haven't had any problems with it. I bought the plow from a Toro dealer and the solid link came stock with the plow. Just don't go crazy with down pressure.

[dgoyette 12]

I did not know the 416 had controls on the column! I see yours is a 1994. Do you know (or does anyone know) what years had this?

My "95" has them.

Mike..........

I think on the column is so sweet. I would like one...maybe my next 416-H.

On the lift - if I remember correctly my blade frame has two places to insert the link. One for down pressure and one that allows for some float. Been awhile since I used it but I think that is correct. I used the down pressure when I was leveling an area for my shed. Worked great. Lifts the tires right off the ground if you want

[IthacaJeff 151]

I've got a solid link with downpressure capabilities on my 310-8 and wouldn't

have it any other way. I have used and abused my dozer blade way beyond

what Cecil Pond would have recommended, but with no problems. If you want

to do any dirt work and scraping, you will need to have downpressure. The

blade will still float some, it just jerks the lift handle. Remember, also, that the

blade is spring tripped, so you you have another measure of protection for

the lift lever.

I just installed a different blade on my 416-8 and it is chain attached with no

downpressure. The thing seems almost useless compared to the 310 with

downpressure!

Jeff in Enfield NY

[Rollerman 290]

Like Darren mentioned.

On the lift - if I remember correctly my blade frame has two places to insert the link. One for down pressure and one that allows for some float. Been awhile since I used it but I think that is correct. I used the down pressure when I was leveling an area for my shed. Worked great. Lifts the tires right off the ground if you want

Useing down pressure on a hydro lift equipted tractor as oposed to a manual lift is a whole differant ball game.

With a hydro lift you can pick the front tires off the ground by forceing the blade down.

(Never seen anyone do that with a manual lift.....yet)

Nothing wrong with doing it, but I agree with Darren in useing the slotted hole in the blade frame so you have some give.

[Kelly 1,033]

Just remember guys, all that force is put right on the dash tower, and I have a few and seen many of the old raiders/chargers, and early C-series tractors with the bottom of the tower near the frame broke off or cracked, and around the pivot points where the bell crank is, just remember it's a garden tractor not a bulldozer.

[jimbotelho 1]

well said kelly it seems sometimes we all think that we are trying to make these machines what they are not!!! they were designed for what they do .cut lawns plow snow gardens etc . If they want them to do something other than that they would have come out with a larger machine!!!! :thumbs:

[HankB 16]

Nice 416. I did not know the 416 had controls on the column! I see yours is a 1994. Do you know (or does anyone know) what years had this?

Same for my '97 314-H.

[Dresden Guy 24]

I have had a solid link on my 312-8 since 1998 and haven't had any problems with it. I bought the plow from a Toro dealer and the solid link came stock with the plow. Just don't go crazy with down pressure.

Just wondering if that solid link from a Toro dealer could be retro-fitted (if it's still available) on my C-160 blade (42" long frame)? If so, I could choose if I wanted down-pressure or "floating" with the standard chain link.

Question: Has anyone tried an electric lift which would mount with a "tower" hooked to the front tach-a-matic, which could be solid linked toward the front of the blade, without interfering with the pivot rod.

There are plenty of "RS Brainiacs" who could solve this. Because we all know that one of the favorite things for WH guys is "bulldozing" snow or dirt, or whatever gets in our way. There are always way more pics of WH tractors with blades at work than mower decks!!

[zieg72 209]

Nice 416. I did not know the 416 had controls on the column! I see yours is a 1994. Do you know (or does anyone know) what years had this?

It was either 90 or 91 when the speed control started on the column if I am not mistaken.

[linen beige 15]

I have a 702 with an HY-2 hydro lift and a blade WITHOUT trip springs for digging and pushing dirt. I have used it for some snow plowing, but as mentioned, it is hard to control the down pressure without raising the front wheels and loosing steering. Without trip springs it will fling me off the seat if I hit a high spot hidden under snow.

For plowing snow I use my 857 with a solid link hooked to a blade WITH trip springs. Since the lift lever doesn't lock in the down position this plow floats on uneven ground. But because it floats it is not much use for digging and the trip springs won't let it get a very good bite in hard ground.

ONE MORE reason to have more than one Wheel Horse.

[Kelly 1,033]

I just tonight put my first snow blade on a hydro tractor, I've always used a stick tractor, I had a solid link mounted on the 520 for the grader blade so that is what I used, we are getting 8 to 10" of snow in the next few days I'll see how it works, it will lift the front tires off the ground, but I played with it on the road with the 1" we have right now, and I think I can learn how to use it with the solid link.

[KC9KAS 4,744]

"well said kelly it seems sometimes we all think that we are trying to make these machines what they are not!!! they were designed for what they do .cut lawns plow snow gardens etc . If they want them to do something other than that they would have come out with a larger machine!!!!"I think that is the "D" models, correct?