Scrape Blade on front of TJ questions

[Johnny C!]

I know this idea has some issues, but with all the
snow again this year, already, I got to thinking
about a scrape blade to clear a few driveways,
light work only.
I was originally thinking of a pull behind & fab an
adapter to go in my Reese hitch with a small winch
to raise & lower, but then a friend suggested that
I mount one on the front, because I already have
a 7500# Champion on the front bumper. I think I
could fab some angle brackets to replace my tow
hooks, to work as pivot points, if the bumper height
is close enough for the height of the blade. It seems
worth looking into it a little.

I was thinking about this,http://www.tractorsupply.com/agriculture-farming-ranching/3-point-equipment/3-point-landscaping-utility-equipment/countyline-reg-rear-blade-5-ft--2130005
Any thoughts or pics of similar setups?

Thanks!

John

[Gubni]

Your link doesn't work.

Also generally snow plows are not reccomended for anything less than 1 ton trucks because of the weight.

[Hadfield4WD]

Also generally snow plows are not reccomended for anything less than 1 ton trucks because of the weight.

Well I'd say generally you're right. However being from the great white north people put plows on everything. I had a buddy have one on an xj. Although I would never put one on a unibody.

I have more plow experience than I care.

Most trucks have a snow plow prep package and that include heavier front springs. Because of the weight. Keep in mind a plow will add a ton of wieght. My last meyer weighed 650lbs. Thats alot of weight to carry around. The prep package on my truck included a little power steering cooler as well and a massive tranny cooler. With all that weight on the front it puts a strain on everything.

They also have heavy springs to allow them to flip forwards if you hit something you can't see. Trust me everybody does this.

You could easliy cause more damage than you would ever make. Plus you need to think about lighting. You need lights over the plow. And also power angle. And a cylinder float mode so it goes up and down with the contours. Also the bottom portion of the blade (the scraper) is usually hardened for the extra abuse it takes. There is just no cheap way to do it. Just really hard to make money at it. I would say if you are dead set on doing it buy a used one from somebody in the spring when they are looking to unload it.

I would say you'd be better off with a snow blower. Put it on a receiver rack and do it that way. Won't get the damage to your rig and cheaper. Just make sre you get on with tracks not tires.

[Derrickalda]

when i lived in colorado breakage on plows and trucks was a weekly thing. i wouldn't recommend fabbing one up, for the same reasons hadfield4wd mentioned.

[TNjeeper97]

After working in the snow and ice control industry for the last 13 years, I don't recommend putting a plow on the TJ. A plow, even a small one, is just to much unsprung weight. Because the weight is so far ahead of the axle, it adds way too much leverage and stress on the front end of that rig.

[highrolrcustoms]

here are a few....

and here is a link to a kit designed for a jeep tj...i dont recommend peicing together your own kit. they have done the research and know the correct mount points..ect

http://www.truckaccessoriesworld.com/snow-plows/SB4010-37.htm

PERSONALLY I WOULD NEVER DO IT.......we use an atv with a 48" plow and it works wonders....clears driveways fast!

[deerhman3006]

I've got a 90 XJ with stock suspension pushing a meyer power angle. The thing pushes snow like a bulldozer. To ditto what someone said, when the snow starts flying plow and component breakage is a weekly thing. I replace hydraulic lines almost all winter long once the snow starts flying and the plow has definitely taken its toll on the front end. I've got bad ball joints that I've been babying and the engine is always pushing hot. Never fails either that the plow almost always breaks as soon as the snow fly's. So I'd say unless you have the bank account to constantly replace stuff, you're better off with a snow blower. Jus sayin'

[Johnny C!]

Thanks guys.
I am now kind of cold on the idea & with
the work req'd to make this happen. I'm
sure I will think about it everytime it snows,
so we'll see how motivated I get, next go
around.

Happy New Year & God Bless.

John

[Bluegill]

Sounds like a fun project for an old riding mower .... auger blade, squirrel cages, etc ;)