ebinmaine 67,393 #1 Posted September 15 As many of you know we have the C121 Hydro here that the BBT and I built for my late father. We've decided not to send it back down to Mom's place and keep it here where we know it'll be operated safely and properly. I've been mulling over how to put it to good use. I have a set of plow sides made by @Joe M that I'd like to add to a 42" snow dozer and make it a parking lot style plow. A hydro or (other assistance) lift would be a good tool for making this tractor an (oversized snow plow) pushing machine. I have a log splitter lever and hydraulic hoses. Maybe a cylinder. I believe at minimum I'd need a rock shaft and... ?? I'd also consider adding springs and keeping the manual lift handle if possible. Thoughts comments questions suggestions... @Ed Kennell @pfrederi @953 nut @Achto And whoever else has experience with adding assisted lift? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,525 #2 Posted September 15 Here's what i did... works like a charm. cheap and easy... Harbor Freight atv winch, 2" winch mount, controller attached to hood. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,393 #3 Posted September 15 3 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said: winch mount How's that attached at the front? Mule drive with a 2" receiver? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,525 #4 Posted September 15 I have a 2" receiver that latches into the front attach o matic... Ebay. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,393 #5 Posted September 15 7 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said: I have a 2" receiver that latches into the front attach o matic... Neat idea! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,311 #6 Posted September 15 46 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said: I have a 2" receiver that latches into the front attach o matic... Ebay. Made here in southern RI.... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,311 #7 Posted September 15 Need-um Bigger battery??? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,393 #8 Posted September 15 6 minutes ago, ri702bill said: Made here in southern RI.... I saw that... $$$$ though. Over $100 to my door. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,699 #9 Posted September 15 Implement Relief valve /springs Have to move Charge valve to other side. Rock Shaft Mount for non standard control valve??? 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,311 #10 Posted September 15 9 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: I saw that... $$$$ though. Over $100 to my door. All the more reason to have a welder & milling machine.... 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,311 #11 Posted September 15 Made up my front receiver out of an old rusted up mule drive and an $11 HF ATV adapter. A bit of cutting, milling & welding.... 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,525 #12 Posted September 15 58 minutes ago, ri702bill said: Need-um Bigger battery??? Nope. 3 drives each snow. No issue. I do keep it on a tender... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,525 #13 Posted September 15 54 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: I saw that... $$$$ though. Over $100 to my door. Wow... Couple years ago they were around $50 if recall is sorta correct... But i will say, one of the best additions to the tractor... very versatile... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,562 #14 Posted September 15 You already have a hydro pump on the tractor for the drive. I would just gather the parts to add the lift. Don't really need a new rock shaft, you can cut the lift handle off and add a piece of metal to the bottom of it for the ram. Will try to get better picture later, but this is how it was done on my Raider. 2 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,113 #15 Posted September 15 A hydraulic lift with a foot pedal motion control is the best for a snow removal machine. A-Z probably has a the hardware or use Dan's idea with your existing parts. I have used a winch and assist springs on plows and blowers. With a winch, you need to be aware of the overrun. I added springs to protect the linkage. I use sections of old garage door springs to make my springs. With the right amount of spring assist and a solid lift link, a snow blower or plow can be set up so very little pull is required to raise the implement and a forward push on the lift lever can apply down pressure for scraping. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,157 #16 Posted September 16 10 hours ago, ebinmaine said: I saw that... $$$$ though. Over $100 to my door. By the time you go through the work and expense of converting your transaxle, add a spool valve and hoses, mount a cylinder and so on the $ 100.00 doesn't look to bad after all. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,157 #17 Posted September 16 Just took a look at HF and this electric winch is only $ 55.00 with remote and cables to hook it up. https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/winches/2000-lb-utility-trailer-winch-with-steel-rope-57365.html 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,525 #18 Posted September 16 Thats the one i used... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vintage_Wheel_Horse_Lover 18 #19 Posted September 18 i believe that unless you are really into fabrication of mounting the pump and such a winch would be very much so a cheaper option only because there will me much less labor involved to add it and i don´t believe the battery going dead would be all to much of an issue because your only going up like 5-7 inches if that and going down will only require very little power and also i believe most of us or maybe just me keep a maintainer on the battery during the winter so that the cold doesnt drain the battery just my opinion 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vintage_Wheel_Horse_Lover 18 #20 Posted September 18 plus the bad land winches have a very good rating and work well for the uses i have used them. ive pulled vehicleson trailers with my 2500 from harbor freight 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,393 #21 Posted September 18 3 hours ago, Vintage_Wheel_Horse_Lover said: i believe that unless you are really into fabrication of mounting the pump and such a winch.... This is a hydro transmission. It's its own pump... but I would have to change the check valves/ springs around. Fabrication might be comparable either way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,699 #22 Posted September 18 Okay a winch may work but the hydro will be faster and easier to control. You get what you pay for. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 16,994 #23 Posted September 18 Throw this into the mix for faster winch lifting. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,393 #24 Posted September 19 21 minutes ago, pfrederi said: Okay a winch may work but the hydro will be faster and easier to control. You get what you pay for. Speed, in THIS intended usage, won't be a concern. But your comment gets me thinking. THIS usage... fine... What OTHER usages will I have in the future? Having a proper hydro setup may be more beneficial over time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,202 #25 Posted September 19 Not always easy to incorporate, but limit switches sensing the lifted part movement might also be an option. Many options now from home security systems are modestly priced. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites