54” snow plow on a 953

[Pullstart 62,809]

This plow (Serial A-45089) came along with Chloe the 953 a couple weeks back.  What a sweet runner!  Hooking it up today, I noticed it’s crooked.  I tried to loosen top/tighten bottom of the plow bracket on one side, opposite the other, with no real change.  I figure I’m off about an inch over 4 feet.  My plan now is to use shim stock on the axle bracket short side to push the mounting point forward.

 

 

[Pullstart 62,809]

Check out the welded up feet on this blade!

 

 

[Pullstart 62,809]

Armed with some .005” shim stock, snips, feeler gauge and some hand tools, I’ll loosen the right side, center it up and measure the gap… then cut and fold the shim stock accordingly.

Edited October 28, 2021 by Pullstart
Picture

[Pullstart 62,809]

I’m up to .070” of folded shims with little change.  I’m sure if I drew the problem out on paper, I’d be able to tell how far the bracket needs to move.

 

I must say though, the hydraulic lift and down pressure is awesome!

 

[Pullstart 62,809]

Finally folding the stack one more time got me squared away.  .140”!

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,317]

15 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

 the hydraulic lift and down pressure is awesome!

 

Wow!!

[Pullstart 62,809]

To test it’s capabilities, I opened up a farm access / drive in front of the storage barn’s overhead door.  That’ll help with getting the camper inside for winter.  Verdict?  AWESOME except I surely need weight and chains!

Edited October 28, 2021 by Pullstart

[Handy Don 12,170]

38 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

 

I must say though, the hydraulic lift and down pressure is awesome!

 

Does that control valve have a float setting?

[Pullstart 62,809]

1 minute ago, Handy Don said:

Does that control valve have a float setting?

no, but the plow has a slot to allow float 

 

 

[Handy Don 12,170]

1 minute ago, Pullstart said:

no, but the plow has a slot to allow float 

 

[ebinmaine 67,317]

39 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

need weight and chains

Easy enough to gauge proper amount. 

Add to much weight. 

Then add more.  

 

Usually after the 3rd or 15th addition you'll have enough. 

 

 

40 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

allow float

That ain't much float and that's ok. Finesse of the control lever will be your friend. 

 

[Pullstart 62,809]

2 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Easy enough to gauge proper amount. 

Add to much weight. 

Then add more.  

 

Usually after the 3rd or 15th addition you'll have enough. 

 

 

That ain't much float and that's ok. Finesse of the control lever will be your friend. 

 

 

I’ll likely fill the toolbox with chunks of lead for starters.  Then, either swap to 5 bolt hubs and add the filled 27x7.50-12 UTV tires and chains, or add some weights and chains to the existing tire set.  
 

As for float, there’s probably an inch and a quarter or so of slot… figure that being halfway or so in the length of the plow frame, that gives me about 2-1/2”.  That should be plenty , along with lever control.

[8ntruck 6,991]

Is it possible there is some twist in the A frame?

 

The 48" plow I just picked up has a similar tilt issue.  Have not looked into it yet.....

[ri702bill 8,294]

Kevin:

I know that the 953 uses a different frame than the short frame (502 style) or the long frame (C series), BUT.....

You need to check the condition of 2 items before working that little beast hard.

Inspect the frame plate where the four 3/8" cap screws bolt to the unidrive - if any of the holes in the frame are cracked out, you need to gouge the crack(s) with an angle grinder and weld them back up.

Inspect the cast iron lower steering mount to see if it is still in one piece - one ear may be broken off,

Hope your frame does not look like this one - the tractor it came from wiggled like an inch worm on uneven ground!

Bill

Edited October 29, 2021 by ri702bill

[ri702bill 8,294]

Also, a little some thing I whipped up over the summer - frame reinforcing plates and diagonal frame braces for the short and long frames - uses existing holes in the frames - need to install both before it snows....

Edited October 29, 2021 by ri702bill

[Pullstart 62,809]

@ri702bill I thought about that, but the tractor is straight and true and the rear wheels point in the right direction.  I’ll likely check it, but you’re correct… these frames are much tougher than the “smaller”  tractors and I have fixed my fare share of them too.  

[Pullstart 62,809]

6 hours ago, 8ntruck said:

Is it possible there is some twist in the A frame?

 

The 48" plow I just picked up has a similar tilt issue.  Have not looked into it yet.....

I didn’t inspect it too thoroughly, but I noticed a slight dip in the plow left to right.  I would imagine damage worth .140” of shim work would be more noticeable.

[953 nut 55,116]

7 hours ago, ri702bill said:

Kevin:

I know that the 953 uses a different frame than the short frame (502 style) or the long frame (C series), BUT.....

You need to check the condition of 2 items before working that little beast hard.

Inspect the frame plate where the four 3/8" cap screws bolt to the unidrive - if any of the holes in the frame are cracked out, you need to gouge the crack(s) with an angle grinder and weld them back up.

Inspect the cast iron lower steering mount to see if it is still in one piece - one ear may be broken off,

Hope your frame does not look like this one - the tractor it came from wiggled like an inch worm on uneven ground!

Bill

 

That plate on the 953/1054 is 3/8" thick steel, doubt that it will be a problem.

[Pullstart 62,809]

On 10/29/2021 at 1:20 PM, 953 nut said:

 

That plate on the 953/1054 is 3/8" thick steel, doubt that it will be a problem.

It might even be 1/2” 

 

@ri702bill here are pictures of the frame at the transmission mount.  It’s good-n-tite.