Raising snow blade

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,360]

For the old men (me) who do not have hydro lifts for the snow blade. Has anyone figured out how to add springs or something to help lift the blade. The blade and frame have a lot of weight and my left arm is not what it use to be. Using the blade on a 310-8. I like using the lift to apply downward pressure but also want the blade to float when needed.

[doc724 925]

You can get a helper spring like that used on blowers and tillers from one of the RS vendors, I think it is Glen Petit.  However, you will have to be creative on where to attach it.  I gave up using my plow 4 years ago, partly because like you it became difficult to lift, but the real driving factor was that we had so much snow, there was no place to put it!

[bmsgaffer 2,048]

There is an electric lift kit out there for the gear drive tractors, but its not easy to find. It may be worth looking around for it or putting out a wanted ad.

Personally I would be afraid to put any helper springs on the blade because then it removes some of the (already limited) down pressure on the blade. I think the blade just weighs enough to get the job done as it is.

If you look at where you have the lift attached to the rockshaft, you can move it to a hole closer to the shaft and it will make it easier to lift, but it will also limit the amount that you can lift it...

[JC 1965 1,532]

I mounted a Polaris atv snow blade winch on the front of my   tractor to raise and lower the blade.  After my neighbor saw mine he purchased a small winch at harbor freight and put it on his ford tractor. Works very well and saves the old back and every other old parts.     

[Ed Kennell 40,615]

Before I got my 520H with the hydraulic lift , I used several lift assist  springs to balance the weight of the blower. The springs were made from old garage door springs and by adjusting the tension, the blower could be made to float if desired.   Like JC said,  I also use a HF RC winch to lift the blade on my 4 wheeler.   I did find I had to put two large springs between the cable hook and the blade because the overrun on the winch caused things to break when raising  the blade  and the blade frame hit the frame of the 4 wheeler.

[WNYPCRepair 1,923]

I have a bunch of trampoline springs if anyone thinks they will help

[slammer302 2,156]

I'm thinking you may need to start searching for a horse with hydro lift this is going to be my first winter using one so far i'm pretty happy with it 

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,360]

Thanks for all your replies ,it gives me some ideas to investigate. I have been following the discussion on auto vs manual on snow removal and it looks like the individual user. It seems like each year the blade gets heavier. I have mostly used it for pushing huge piles of leaves since Richmond does not get a lot of snow. Just thought I ask the question you guys always seem to come up with an idea that works. Thanks again.

[DennisThornton 4,771]

My 48" (I think!) is not hard to lift so I'm wondering why yours is so hard.  However, I use down pressure so often that I would hate to have to fight the helper springs.  I mostly use it for cleanup after the BIG blower and I love the precise hand control and would hate to go electric or hydraulic.  In other words for my usage I love it just the way it is.  I bought a Suburban with a custom setup (Jerry rigged!) front blade that used a hand cranked winch.  It did work but the raising and lowering sucked since it took two hands to hold the crank handle and trip the release/catch lever.  The winch/blade lasted for a couple days and disappeared.  NOW!  If that had been an electric winch it might still be attached.

[Brian01 481]

That's exactly why I was kicking myself in the rear for selling my Electro 12....hydro lift is Great!

[GlenPettit 1,717]

Springs do get old and lose some of their temper, "weakening; a reduction in their ability to work correctly".  Snow Thrower Springs are expanded during use (in the unit down position, are 3-4" longer & stretched under tension) and when we lift the snow thrower, the Spring compresses, helping us lift the unit.  
A new fresh Spring may give us 200# of assistance, but after 30 years we may be getting only 50–100# assistance.  Even an unused Spring will weaken very slightly over time, but annual use and rust are the main reasons.  Many thinner regular Springs can be shortened (a couple of rings cut off, and one bent up for form a new hook), but these WH Springs are high-tempered and are a little brittle, shortening may be hard and dangerous.  You might be able to make a new further forward hook-up system for your present Spring, but the better way is a new Spring, or installing/modifying a hydraulic lift-system as mentioned.

For a Snow Blade, Springs may not be a good option, a hydraulic lift would be nicest, I have seem some very creative modifications.   Lifting seems to work better while in reverse: having no snow in/on blade, and is your 'lift hole' position correct under the tractor (being more forward can make a huge difference)? 

Edited October 28, 2015 by GlenPettit

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,360]

My 48" (I think!) is not hard to lift so I'm wondering why yours is so hard.  However, I use down pressure so often that I would hate to have to fight the helper springs.  I mostly use it for cleanup after the BIG blower and I love the precise hand control and would hate to go electric or hydraulic.  In other words for my usage I love it just the way it is.  I bought a Suburban with a custom setup (Jerry rigged!) front blade that used a hand cranked winch.  It did work but the raising and lowering sucked since it took two hands to hold the crank handle and trip the release/catch lever.  The winch/blade lasted for a couple days and disappeared.  NOW!  If that had been an electric winch it might still be attached.

I had  similar hand crank winch on an old tractor and it was a bear to raise finally got the 310-8 and gave the tractor to a friend. He still has it and has not  complained about the winch.

[DennisThornton 4,771]

My 48" (I think!) is not hard to lift so I'm wondering why yours is so hard.  However, I use down pressure so often that I would hate to have to fight the helper springs.  I mostly use it for cleanup after the BIG blower and I love the precise hand control and would hate to go electric or hydraulic.  In other words for my usage I love it just the way it is.  I bought a Suburban with a custom setup (Jerry rigged!) front blade that used a hand cranked winch.  It did work but the raising and lowering sucked since it took two hands to hold the crank handle and trip the release/catch lever.  The winch/blade lasted for a couple days and disappeared.  NOW!  If that had been an electric winch it might still be attached.

I had  similar hand crank winch on an old tractor and it was a bear to raise finally got the 310-8 and gave the tractor to a friend. He still has it and has not  complained about the winch.

Couldn't be happier with my manual lift!  Control!  Down pressure!  Wouldn't change a thing!  Just pointing out that if someone really had to have extra lift the handcrank is still awkward.  Maybe an electric winch assist could help  Could still use the hand down pressure and have good control.  Just used the electric lift when you wanted to!

[ronhatch 406]

Please note the lift assist springs right behind the front axle that I installed on my snow plow. Also as previously mentioned, attach your lift linkage in the nearest hole to the lift cross/rock shaft. Edited November 2, 2015 by ronhatch

[Brian01 481]

I like them back wheels. 

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,360]

Ron , I like that idea what kind of springs did you use? Also like the tractor . Is that your 857?

[DennisThornton 4,771]

For the old men (me) who do not have hydro lifts for the snow blade. Has anyone figured out how to add springs or something to help lift the blade. The blade and frame have a lot of weight and my left arm is not what it use to be. Using the blade on a 310-8. I like using the lift to apply downward pressure but also want the blade to float when needed.

I should have mentioned right off the bat to make sure you have selected the most appropriate hole in/on your lift bar.  Height vs lift weight!  I forget where I have mine (happening more all the time!) but I think I was not interested in height but control!

[857 horse 2,581]

WOW....i kinna like the red and silver on the rims,,,,,,,,,,,and the rear rims....that looks kinna nice...
i just cant quite make out  what it says on the hood.!!   ollolool   

I like it !!!!
 

[Coadster32 793]

Nice tractor....(Not sure I like the IH decal though)


Just make sure whatever springs you put on, don't hinder the downforce gravity has on the blade while plowing. This will certainly defeat the purpose.