Alrashid2 382 #1 Posted December 12, 2024 (edited) Hey guys. Should finally have time this weekend to get my plow installed on my 1985 312-8! After doing some reading and research in the meantime though, I have a feeling I may run into a problem. I found this post from 11 years ago, and I am betting this is exactly what I am going to run into: My plow has the same, straight Angle Lever as @C100 had on his. I am guessing that the lever will end up hitting my brake pedal. I don't believe it'll hit my muffler though as I have a different one on my tractor. Of course, I'll find out by Sunday if this will be the case or not. But was curious if any of you have dealt with this issue before and if there is any easy fix for it other than trying to source the bent lever that I see others have on their rigs here? Would like to plan in advance. I don't have the plow model/serial on me at the moment but I did some research and found that it is a 1970 model. It's a 42" plow long frame. Looks like it'll mate up just fine to my axle bracket and lift arm, so just need to figure out the Angle lever issue... Thanks guys for your advice! @C100 Did you ever figure this out? I saw that you wrote you just keep it angled in the direction that lets the arm sit forward, but unfortunately I need to be able to swivel both ways and store it with the plow straight and angle up, so need to be able to have a full range of motion! Edited December 12, 2024 by Alrashid2 added a question to c100 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 70,670 #2 Posted December 12, 2024 Following with interest... @JCM You've used 300 400 500 series for plowing. Any thoughts? @MainelyWheelhorse You have a 308 I believe? Any pics of your setup? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alrashid2 382 #3 Posted December 12, 2024 @ebinmaine hey my friend thanks for the shoutouts! It pays to know a guy around here I'm wondering if I could simply throw the lever in a clamp, and with some careful measurements, bend it similarly to what I see other guys have. Something like this guy does in this video? I don't have anything fancier than a vise and a hammer!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 40,455 #4 Posted December 12, 2024 Shim it out and or bend it to suit. Here's my shimmed out to clear my motion control pedal on my 312H. 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alrashid2 382 #5 Posted December 12, 2024 I think if I went the shim route, I'd have to shim it out something like 8" out... is there any realistic and robust way to do that? And any problems with the lever arm sticking out beyond the foot rest and brake pedal that far? I'll have to play around... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JCM 10,017 #6 Posted December 12, 2024 @ebinmaine Have not used the 312-8 in 35 years to plow, never had an issue with the lever. Used it on the 417-8 for a few years, never had an issue. Set up the 520-H last year with the 48'' same plow but, the 91 520 uses a different lever because of the forward swept front axle.. After all that on the 520, weights , chains & plow, never used it really. This year I have no WheelHorse's set up for Winter duty yet. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alrashid2 382 #7 Posted December 12, 2024 Thanks for replying @JCM - do you remember if your plow has the straight lever ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JCM 10,017 #8 Posted December 12, 2024 I think it has the same lever as Ed's set up. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 70,670 #9 Posted December 12, 2024 17 minutes ago, Alrashid2 said: I think if I went the shim route, I'd have to shim it out something like 8" out... is there any realistic and robust way to do that? And any problems with the lever arm sticking out beyond the foot rest and brake pedal that far? I'll have to play around... You won't need an 8" shim. See Ed's Pic. The pivot point is in FRONT of the 3/4" rod that holds the brake pedal. Once your plow frame is in place you'll get a better understanding of how things line up. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alrashid2 382 #10 Posted December 12, 2024 3 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: You won't need an 8" shim. See Ed's Pic. The pivot point is in FRONT of the 3/4" rod that holds the brake pedal. Once your plow frame is in place you'll get a better understanding of how things line up. I think you're right my friend, as I'm having a hard time understanding. I'll report back Sat evening when I get this thing on! Thanks guys... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 27,494 #11 Posted December 12, 2024 my plows are shall we say "used" very well by previous owners... and me... bent handles to fit your needs is the norm. These ain't made of crystal... I've bent several to work... and that do!!! shim and bend... repeat until function is gained... 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 40,455 #12 Posted December 12, 2024 A little more involved, but they can be bent forward and back as well as left to right. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MainelyWheelhorse 1,008 #13 Posted December 13, 2024 I built mine. I used a handlebar grip, a piece of handlebar sized tubing, a flat bar bent to clear everything, a bicycle handbrake with the cable, connected to the triangle. I still have all the other pieces in case I want to go back to stock though. 1 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,241 #14 Posted December 13, 2024 Sometimes it will work if the handle is removed and turned around. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alrashid2 382 #15 Posted December 13, 2024 @MainelyWheelhorse looking at your setup it looks like you have the same foot rest / brake / lever issue I think I'm going to have. I just don't see how the lever won't hit the brake! That's why I thought I'd need an 8+ inch spacer - to basically make my lever stick out past the brake the same way your handmade lever does. Nice job btw! I'm not as handy with fabbing... So I'll have to come up with something. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,718 #16 Posted December 13, 2024 Check this one out. I had the added task of clearing the annoying bulky PTO clutch on my 2005. I no more than had it like I wanted it and I did some changes and now use the 05 for the blower and the blade in on the 76 which uses the straight handle. 3326-603 2002 2004-09 2012 Blade Dozer 48in 300-Series OM.pdf 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alrashid2 382 #17 Posted December 13, 2024 14 hours ago, SylvanLakeWH said: my plows are shall we say "used" very well by previous owners... and me... bent handles to fit your needs is the norm. These ain't made of crystal... I've bent several to work... and that do!!! shim and bend... repeat until function is gained... Love that haha. I am learning more and more that these old Horses can be shaped with little to no tools... love it!! Just wanted to ask you Professionals here in case I was being stupid. Thinking I can mark where my lever is hitting, remove it from the frame, and throw her in a bench vise and hammer her to bend two 90 degree angles and essentially make my lever like the one I should have, like you guys have... just wanted to make sure that wouldn't mess up the action or anything like that! I suppose it'll make the lever a bit shorter but I don't think that'd be a problem for me. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bar Nuthin 935 #18 Posted December 13, 2024 (edited) 8 hours ago, Alrashid2 said: throw her in a bench vise and hammer her to bend two 90 degree angles If you have a propane torch, some heat will make bending A LOT easier and with better results. Focus the heat right where you want the bend until it starts to glow. Edited December 13, 2024 by Bar Nuthin 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alrashid2 382 #19 Posted December 13, 2024 Thank you sir! I do have one, that exact one actually haha. I'll use that if I need to bend her! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alrashid2 382 #20 Posted December 18, 2024 Woops, just realized the Straight Lever dilemma conversation continued on another plow related post. Too many discussions, sorry! Continue the story here: https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/topic/110393-leaving-plow-and-wheel-weights-on-all-year/?do=findComment&comment=1207606 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
