IthacaJeff 151 #1 Posted November 23, 2010 Hi, the question may seem silly, but any differences in using a 48" vs. a 54" plow? The reason I asked is because I just installed a 54" on my 416, and that sucker is a whole lot less stable than my 48" on my 310. The length of the blade adds serious torque to the mounting frame and jerks things around a whole lot more than the smaller blade. Am I imagining this or have any of you had the same experience? With snow the differences may not be so bad, so what about dirt? Jeff in Enfield Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forest Road 594 #2 Posted November 24, 2010 Don't know. But let me know if you want to unload it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lane Ranger 10,943 #3 Posted November 24, 2010 The 54 inch plow is wider and more subject to flexing from the snow, dirt, gravel or other materials being spread around with the face of the plow. I have atached some good photos and a viedo of some of our 54 inch plows. I use a 42 inch myself on a B-80 but that is plenty of suraface area for a good snowfall for that tractor. Not a lot of flexing or wiggle with the frame when plowing snow. Video: :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IthacaJeff 151 #4 Posted November 24, 2010 Gents: Okay, so I'm not imagining things. Looks like the 42" (not 48") will keep on with dirt duties while we'll see how the 54" works this winter. Sorry, Cole's dad, I did think at one point of selling the beast, but now I'll use it as a spare and get my oldest son to plow alongside me. . . that'll be a good time! Jeff in Enfield NY Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankB 16 #5 Posted November 24, 2010 You might consider a mod like this for added stability: The stem of the "T" is free to slide in the hole in the angle. I have since had my son weld the angle to the frame but the clamps worked pretty well the first winter. I think some of the larger blades come with something like this from the factory. One picture I saw had an inverted "L" instead of the "T" and there was a tab with an appropriate size hole welded to the side of the frame. -hank 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IthacaJeff 151 #6 Posted November 24, 2010 Hank, Yeah, I think I saw those pics before, and now I understand the reason for it. My friend's JD GT325 has a stabilizer-like bar on his blade, I may take a closer look at his as well. But I do like the way it snaps right into the front attach a matic. Thanks for the good pics. Jeff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHEELMAN 1 #7 Posted February 15, 2012 Just wanted to tell you I used your pictures to build this plow stabilizer.Wow what a difference! Thanks again for your help.....................Ed (WHEELMAN) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,126 #8 Posted February 15, 2012 :text-datsphatyo: :text-coolphotos: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
varosd 1,185 #9 Posted February 15, 2012 perhaps another chance for someone to sell some of these fabbed up items to us less fortunate folks who dont have a welder, etc? I would buy one!!!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
refracman 167 #10 Posted February 16, 2012 I prefer a 42" blade. I found with either the 48 or 54 blades steering was a pain. You should see what a gt14 with a 42 can push, its like a dozer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zieg72 209 #11 Posted February 16, 2012 I don't feel any difference between a 64" and the 48" on my 520H but maybe the forward swept axle and maybe some weight advantage being a hydro is helping me not notice. I can tell you it is a lot easier to steer because of the lighter weight of the 48" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hydro 131 #12 Posted February 16, 2012 perhaps another chance for someone to sell some of these fabbed up items to us less fortunate folks who dont have a welder, etc? I would buy one!!!! You know if that vertical shaft were threaded it would also be a good way to mount the front of a generator frame to obtain the proper belt tension. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites