Official Snowplow Repair Thread! Post Up Your Repairs And Pics!

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Steve told me he made this a sticky this afternoon. I suggested we just turn it into an "Official" thread specifically for plow repairs. Soooooo... Here it is! Feel free to post pics and short videos (please see our terms on videos if you are new to the site or have less than 40 posts)!! We wanna see 'emI did this work last year and titled it as another plow from hell. After accidently deleting all my posts, there was no point in restoring the thread since the pics were gone and cannot be added to restored content.Sooooo... After locating the pics on my tablet, I'll try it again. After all, 'tis the season for plowing Long story short, a friend has a BOSS straight plow that I reskinned a few years back. He brought it to me last spring with a completely worn out and broken lower A frame kingpin as well as pivot guide hoop. He's been a good customer thru the years and always pays on time and never tried to chisel me on anything. He was in a jam and I did it for him cheap. Here's what I started with. Pretty beat and in need of a lot of metal replacement. Attached ImagesLast edited by 7A749; 11-28-2016 at 07:22 PM.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Moving on, I decided to do the lower on the plow first. Took some time to cut out all the rotten metal and clean it up. Did most with a torch and grinder.Got it all cleaned up and ready for new metal. Attached ImagesExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:I cut and turned new round material for the kingpin. Got the new metal cut and tacked in place Attached ImagesExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Got the new metal welded in, used 7018 for this part. Most of it got welded both sides, all the way out. Attached ImagesExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:The hoop proved to be a little tricky. It had been seriously bent and distorted down several inches from years of being worn out and too much slop in the A frame. I decided to completely strip it of rotten material, clean it and make a couple relief cuts in it so I could bend it back to a reasonably facsimile of what it was when it was in much better shape. Carbon arc made quick work of the cut out. I used a torch to make the relief cuts, then a come a long to move it into its new position. I've repaired other stuff with nasty warpage in it the same way with good success. The relief cuts get welded up fully, then new metal added for support outside.Some pics of the cut out process.. Attached ImagesExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:You can see how distorted the hoop was once I got all the nasty metal off it. You can also see how out of square it is when compared to a straight piece of material placed in line with it.After some tweaking, it's straight again. I avoided having to fully remove it, and for this job this was a far better option lol. Attached ImagesExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:I got the new supports and stops cut and welded into the hoop. All and all that part came out pretty good. Minimal work and a good result for what I put in it. Attached ImagesExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Now, on to the A frame. Yes, I'm quite aware that a new one can be purchased and in most cases that is what would have happened, but dude didn't have the money to buy it and I knew I could fix it without too much trouble.Again, it was more a favor for a paying friend than a straight up job for a customer.  I had to carbon arc off all the bad metal first... Attached ImagesExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Moving on, I used a heavy piece of 2" x 4" 1/4" tubing for the new tongue. I also turned a new thru bushing out of a piece of solid bar stock. Attached ImagesExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Welded it up... Hit the surface with a 36 grit sanding disc and capped it off. Attached ImagesExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Now, weld the new tubing fully to the A frame..I also straightened out the connections to the tower, then wire wheeled it all down and shot some spray paint on it. Attached ImagesExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Finally, got the rest painted up a little and fit back together. It came out really nice and he was super happy. He's a real good dude and has always been a good customer and friend so I was happy to help him out. I made about $450 on it which was dirt cheap for the work I did.For this guy, I was happy to do it.I did excise quite a bit of the original text from the first thread. You guys get the point and it was pretty straightforward lol.Honestly, I like plow work as long as I'm getting something fair out of it. Just finish welded up a plow mod for my boss last week. Easy money lol.Thanks for viewing  Attached ImagesExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Nice work. I have a blade on a tractor and I'm very familiar with the usual plague of annually patched on metal. Some day I'll have to get serious and cut it up and redo it... hopefully stronger. I can only hope when that day comes that the finished product looks as good as yours.250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC StickF-225 amp Forney AC Stick230 amp Sears AC StickLincoln 180C MIGVictor Medalist 350 O/ACut 50 PlasmaLes
Reply:Originally Posted by whtbaronNice work. I have a blade on a tractor and I'm very familiar with the usual plague of annually patched on metal. Some day I'll have to get serious and cut it up and redo it... hopefully stronger. I can only hope when that day comes that the finished product looks as good as yours.
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749Now, on to the A frame. Yes, I'm quite aware that a new one can be purchased and in most cases that is what would have happened, but dude didn't have the money to buy it and I knew I could fix it without too much trouble.
Reply:Very nice
Reply:That turned out great Looks almost identical to the one I did this summer - surprised it didn't fall off his truck on the way to my place. Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by xryanBuying a new one isn't worth the trouble to make the phone call. POS. I've repaired even new ones correctly like you did, heavy wall tube, BIG solid bushing, heavy end cap. The plow side hoops are also pretty crappy and weak, they flex like a wet noodle. I wouldn't take a BOSS plow for free. Their V plows aren't much better IMHOI don't even know how many of their A frames I've fixed. Nice work.
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749Thanks Dave. I thought I was gonna get another one out of this, but I told him minimum of eight on the next deal as much work as it was for both pieces. It was his buddy that needed it done this time so no sweetheart deal I'm afraid lol.
Reply:Great work! Doing it all properly. Plus paint.As someone who uses and repairs his own snow-clearing gear, any ideas on how your customer pulled the bushing out of the A-frame? In my experience, normal plowing activity pushes the blade into the A-frame.Be wary of The Numbers: Figures don't lie,. but liars can figure.Welders:2008 Lincoln 140 GMAW&FCAW2012 HF 165 'toy' GTAW&SMAW1970's Cobbled together O/A
Reply:Nice work. I also like doing plow work after getting past the nasty stuff. Stronger better etc. I repinned my circa 1979 diamond plow last year. I have a post here somewhere on here too. It performed great.T.J.www.tjsperformance.comDynasty 300 DXHTP 240HTP Microcut 380Hyperthem 85JD2 Hyd Bender and HF Hyd Ring Roller all in one =(Frankenbender)Bpt. Mill/DRO4' x 8' CNC Plasma TableInstagram: tjsperformanceYT: TJS Welding and Fabrication
Reply:Yep with another winter set to hit the plowboys will soon be destroying plows and related parts.So here's the thread to post all those repairs that SUCK when it comes to plow repair. I will merge Steve's Boss repair into this thread and away we go.Post them all.We want to see what fun everyone has.I will be posting mine done today after I finish it......zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:I love seeing a pre season/fix it right plow repair. More common is the gobber some snot on there and hope for a miracle.WillieAn optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:Here is what I found staring at me this morning...Fisher plow A Frame. Snapped the tube in half!By the looks of it because the part is bent down..That tells me that the trip edge is being abused on a regular basis.Being bent backwards makes the stress on the tube and eventually this is the result..3 cut off wheels later....Tomorrow...The repair. ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:$450 Steve ? That's dam good for three hours of work . Really nice job Steve. It's amazing how those hours add up hour after hour. You get started and figure about 4 hours, then another 4, and another. The more you cut apart the worse it gets. It's almost better to build a new one from the start. I hate to try to patch stuff. Once you patch here there is another then another.Around here they buy a used piece of crap plow put it on a $40,000 truck and want you to rebuild it + give them $100 to boot.
Reply:Originally Posted by mike837goAs someone who uses and repairs his own snow-clearing gear, any ideas on how your customer pulled the bushing out of the A-frame? In my experience, normal plowing activity pushes the blade into the A-frame.
Reply:I was gonna answer, but I think Ryan did a perfect job so I'll just agree with what he said lol.Yea, they're cheaply built. I'm no plow expert but I've seen enough of them now to know there's a big difference between a plow like Fisher and Boss.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:You guys want to see a near bullet proof plow, look at an old Diamond (before they sold out to Meyer). I have been using this circa 1979 Daimond plow since 1994. It has out lasted 3 trucks. Albeit I did repin it last year and was never touched prior to that. I did convert the lower A-frame to fit a Fisher MM1 set up. Attached Imageswww.tjsperformance.comDynasty 300 DXHTP 240HTP Microcut 380Hyperthem 85JD2 Hyd Bender and HF Hyd Ring Roller all in one =(Frankenbender)Bpt. Mill/DRO4' x 8' CNC Plasma TableInstagram: tjsperformanceYT: TJS Welding and Fabrication
Reply:On with the repair...New tube and all ground and cleaned frame..Tube installed..Welded some spots inside..Not done from factory..Notice I welded the tube in as one piece...Don't forget to wrap the welds..!One more time.......zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Now after cooling completely we take a cut off wheel and remove the middle. That way there is no pin alignment interference...Have done them before with 2 pcs of tubing and all the alignment in the world with the pin still results in bending and twisting along the way and the pin don't fit and when that happens its time to break out the reamers.I don't do that anymore. Middle removed and before massaged with flap wheel..Dont forget the hole for the cotter pin...And there we have it. Much stronger than factory..Like it should be. I get all the fun jobs......zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:@xryan, thanks for the explanation. I didn't realize it was a design feature. @zap, that is pure genius! 1 tube guarantees alignment. Then get rid of where the blade connects. Love it! I did the reskinning/ rebuilding thing last year:Old skin off:Reassembled blade:Installed and ready to go:Be wary of The Numbers: Figures don't lie,. but liars can figure.Welders:2008 Lincoln 140 GMAW&FCAW2012 HF 165 'toy' GTAW&SMAW1970's Cobbled together O/A
Reply:How do you guys roll the material for the face?  And what is the material of choice?Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by BillycHow do you guys roll the material for the face?  And what is the material of choice?Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by mike837go@xryan, thanks for the explanation. I didn't realize it was a design feature. @zap, that is pure genius! 1 tube guarantees alignment. Then get rid of where the blade connects. Love it!
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterGenius?..No..I wouldn't go that far...Sick of arguing with it after doing it with 2 separate bushings?Most definitely. Just a little common sense is all....zap!
Reply:Originally Posted by mike837goRemember, Dear Zap, "common sense" is a rather rare commodity these days.
Reply:Love this!  Great work guys.  I have a BOSS V-plow repair i'll be posting here as i get it done.  There's more of those around here i think because it's a michigan company.   I bought it dirt cheap for my own use.  Maybe I'll beef it up while i'm at it.  7A, Can you tell me more about this carbon arc torch?  I'm not really a big fan of OXY/ACETY  cutting.  I suppose this does a better job? I've never seen one used before.  My uncle had an engine drive Lincoln he used to turn up to kill and just stab the electrode through to cut.  I'm guessing this is more refined.Miller Syncrowave 300(s)Miller 330 A/BPMiller CP-200 Haas / Kamp'd / CP-300 in processMiller Radiator 1Miller 30A /S-52E feedersHobart GR-303
Reply:Not really a repair, more of a modification. I had to change the mounts on this 18' plow to fit a newer model loader. The owner had mounts laser cut from 2" plate. First, I cut off the old mounts - The new mounts weren't cut for the arc of the blade. This was a little nerve wracking torching 2" plate by hand. Then I cut the channels to inset the new wider mounts - Miller Dynasty 200DXMiller 252 Miller 250xMiller Syncrowave 250Miller AEAD200 LegendMiller 375 Xtreme plasmaLincoln WeldPak 100Victor O/A
Reply:Fit looks good - I tacked on a brace to keep things square - Then it was on to three passes full perimeter. A lot of time with a weed burner preheating the 2" mounts alternating between the two. Total time was about 10 hours working alone. This last pic is the finished product, I left the brace on overnight to cool. It fit like a glove. Last edited by AKmud; 11-30-2016 at 01:16 AM.Miller Dynasty 200DXMiller 252 Miller 250xMiller Syncrowave 250Miller AEAD200 LegendMiller 375 Xtreme plasmaLincoln WeldPak 100Victor O/A
Reply:Originally Posted by 86turbodslLove this!  Great work guys.  I have a BOSS V-plow repair i'll be posting here as i get it done.  There's more of those around here i think because it's a michigan company.   I bought it dirt cheap for my own use.  Maybe I'll beef it up while i'm at it.  7A, Can you tell me more about this carbon arc torch?  I'm not really a big fan of OXY/ACETY  cutting.  I suppose this does a better job? I've never seen one used before.  My uncle had an engine drive Lincoln he used to turn up to kill and just stab the electrode through to cut.  I'm guessing this is more refined.
Reply:Hmm.  Very interesting.  I may have to pick one up and play with it.  I have a 10hp 2 stage compressor.  But it also sounds like i need more practice on my oxy fuel torch.  Never had much luck with it.  Could be my technique.Sent from my SM-N910T using TapatalkMiller Syncrowave 300(s)Miller 330 A/BPMiller CP-200 Haas / Kamp'd / CP-300 in processMiller Radiator 1Miller 30A /S-52E feedersHobart GR-303
Reply:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...t=diamond+plowHere is my Diamond Plow repin from last year. Not going to repost it here. Just the link above.Ok. One pic.www.tjsperformance.comDynasty 300 DXHTP 240HTP Microcut 380Hyperthem 85JD2 Hyd Bender and HF Hyd Ring Roller all in one =(Frankenbender)Bpt. Mill/DRO4' x 8' CNC Plasma TableInstagram: tjsperformanceYT: TJS Welding and Fabrication
Reply:Originally Posted by AKmudThen it was on to three passes full perimeter. A lot of time with a weed burner preheating the 2" mounts alternating between the two. Total time was about 10 hours working alone. This last pic is the finished product, I left the brace on overnight to cool. It fit like a glove.
Reply:Originally Posted by 86turbodslHmm.  Very interesting.  I may have to pick one up and play with it.  I have a 10hp 2 stage compressor.  But it also sounds like i need more practice on my oxy fuel torch.  Never had much luck with it.  Could be my technique.Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk
Reply:Just to keep in the mood of things:Be wary of The Numbers: Figures don't lie,. but liars can figure.Welders:2008 Lincoln 140 GMAW&FCAW2012 HF 165 'toy' GTAW&SMAW1970's Cobbled together O/A
Reply:Originally Posted by mike837goJust to keep in the mood of things:
Reply:
Reply:First big snow of the season... about 15". Good news is that I pushed it around all day and didn't break anything...yet. Last edited by whtbaron; 12-08-2016 at 12:09 AM.250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC StickF-225 amp Forney AC Stick230 amp Sears AC StickLincoln 180C MIGVictor Medalist 350 O/ACut 50 PlasmaLes
Reply:i can plainly see from that video that i am not setting up my torch correctly.  Thanks!Sent from my SM-N910T using TapatalkMiller Syncrowave 300(s)Miller 330 A/BPMiller CP-200 Haas / Kamp'd / CP-300 in processMiller Radiator 1Miller 30A /S-52E feedersHobart GR-303