Learned Something today about Snowplow Springs

[Lane Ranger 11,075]

I never knew this until today!  I had a snowplow/dozer blade drop down off of the plow.  I pulled the pins and placed on top of the tractor to look.  I have seen these in the past where the spring broke in half and you either need a new one or welded it.

 

 

But I never knew the top and bottom cast piece was threaded to go on the spring like a hex nut! 🔩 

 

 

we had about 3 inches of snow early this am and I cleared my drive and two neighbors.

 

Edited February 16 by Lane Ranger

[ebinmaine 70,018]

Yep.  I found this a few years ago when I had a new to us pair of springs that were badly corroded snap an end. 

[lynnmor 7,514]

Those "threads" on the block can wear to the point that the spring can pop off, maybe @peter lena has a grease for that.

[Rick53 3]

I got rid of my plow for this reason . Of course I live where it's 6 inches of Am snow several days in a row

[peter lena 9,023]

@lynnmor  nope never had one pop off , but then again  virtually anything  related to movement  on a plow , definetly has  some form of lube on it , that being just foward of the STEERING QUADRANT , you know  its been lubed, just got back in from  a plowing slop  right on the edge snow / rain , went after  drainage areas first  , once it started  flowing  you could see the color of the snow change  . from a grey to a white , plow swing was smooth and easy , just tried cooking spray , on the blade face , slide off was very smooth , like free HP ,  always trying  something . @Lane Ranger , pete

[Handy Don 13,145]

3 hours ago, Lane Ranger said:

top and bottom cast piece was threaded to go on the spring like a hex nut

My son had the caps come off on both springs on his plow. The flexing of the springs had worn away metal from BOTH the springs AND the casting.

After different attempts to repair, I gave up and got replacements.  Attempts:

- epoxy (too soft and not good adhesion; lasted for only a couple of plowings)

- steel shims a la a helicoil (not enough thread or spring metal left to force new threads; failed quickly)

 

I did not try welding because I doubted I have sufficient skill to persuade spring steel and cast iron to mate.

[squonk 42,058]

If it popped off once, it will again. Replace the spring.

[Wayne0 773]

As a last resort, I would drill the casting and put a bolt through it, spread the coils and screw it back on. Ghetto fix, but it would get you by.

[Ed Kennell 39,947]

2 hours ago, Handy Don said:

I have sufficient skill to persuade spring steel and cast iron to mate.

I have rebuilt the threads on the cast ends by welding.    Also welded the cast iron swing arms on the deck side drives.   It's not pretty, but can be done.

[Handy Don 13,145]

1 hour ago, Ed Kennell said:

I have rebuilt the threads on the cast ends by welding.    Also welded the cast iron swing arms on the deck side drives.   It's not pretty, but can be done.

I considered this path but measuring the ID of the springs showed a lot of wear at the end. I figured it’d be tough to get a solid “screw-in” connection. 

[Alrashid2 378]

Never realized, thought it was a solid bar through it - thanks for sharing!