Let's talk vintage ultra-low-tech plows..

Hi again gang,

If I want the lowest tech, smallest possible, basic "run it down the driveway once or twice and be done" kinda plow for my 58 Willys, where/how do i start?

I imagine it needs to be at least as wide as the width across the front axle/wheels so I guess what 5 to 6 feet?

Are there any old plows that are entirely manually operated? I think it would be cool if my plow looked as old as my jeep so I am up for an old school one...

If I am dreaming here I could instead use some education as to what is needed to run a plow, how it is installed and wired, what to make sure "comes with it" if I try to pick one up etc.

Are there types/sizes etc that are very old CJ5-compatible? Easier to install?
Or do I need to manufacture some kind of adaptor bracket or something?

Thanks in advance!

 

OK that is nuts! Awesome! hope your trip is going well...other ideas?

 

I remember there was one for pickups that was what you were looking for. The cool thing I thought about it was the fact that as you were backing up if it hit something it would hinge up.

Edit: I can't remember the name and searching the internet is coming up with nothing.

 

ok so i wrote up this long reply of what you asked and i typed for so long it logged me out. tried to log back in and lost it all. basically what you are looking for is a manual angle plow setup. the only hydralics are to raise and lowere the plow. when looking for a plow you want to make shure it has the following.

head gear and lights with working piston ( should not be rusty where its supose to shine)
all the hoses
pump, pump mount, and control
push plate (what the plow hooks to, and to the frame)
and of course the plow with a decent blade ( replacement blades can run into the hundreds)

and make sure the plow fits the jeep with minor if any modificaiton.

and a 6 foot plow is a good place to start im not sure if they made 5ft or 5.5 ft

basic setup of a plow consists of hooking up the pump with a belt to the crank pulley, and to the control in the cab simple lever like a wood spliter.

 

Meyer made a 6' manual angle plow. Shouldn't be too hard to find one. Mount consists of 2 side braces that mount to the frame and a tie plate which the "ears" on the plow mount to. Upper assy is basically a hoop to mount the lift pump and the lift arm. If you find an upper hoop without a pump, an ATV winch with a pulley on the lift arm is a cheap replacement lift setup.

 

OK so guessing that regardless of vintage I need a hydraulic pump of some sort, so are there wiring diagrams or other How-Tos on this topic anyone could point me to, or does anyone gots a cheap one near bucks County PA?

 

No plow will be cheap in snow season. Here's one, but doesn't specify if you get the mounts:http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/grd/2140595352.html Right now a working Meyer E-47 pump (4 way)will cost you $250+. In lieu of an engine mounted hydraulic pump (and hoses, making mount brackets, belt, control cable/rod,fluid) I'd still get a cheap 12v ATV style winch and use that for lift only. Heck, I've seen plows that use a boat trailer hand winch for a lifting device.

 

Did you follow up on this one:http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83631 Add your lifting device and let 'er rip..................

 

wiring is simple just connect it to the power block on the drivers side inner fender or you can run the wires to a different switch by themselves

 

I have a plow for my 69, and I'm not too far down the road from you if you want to take a look. I don't have the plow on the jeep at the present time, but the Hydaulic pump, mounted to the generator and the lift cylinder is still on the jeep. It is not for sale, just for looking so you can get an idea how it mounts and such.

I picked up a complete 62 jeep with a plow for $175.00 in the summer 5 years ago, so you can get some bargains if you are in the right place at the right time. Winter isn't a good time to buy a plow. Late spring to early summer is best.

 

What about a three point tracotr set up and drag the plow?

 

Simple like two pivoting mounts on the axle and solid at the plow no angle no nothing. light but a proper blade on bottom and skids. hand winch mounted on the plow with the rope up to the bumper. Simple?

 

I have one from my '63 CJ5. The plow hydraulic lift is electric and is still on the '63. The plow is off as is the push frame. About 8" got cut off of the push frame by a family member thart did not want to locate thier own steel for a project. It is a complete set up. I am not sure what it is worth. Any ideas from forum members?

 

Another point, to answer your question about width of plow. If you are only going to do strait plowing, the blade needs to be wider than the wheel track, so you can get by with 5 1/2 feet or so. If you are going to angle the plow, you need a wider plow. 6 1/2 feet is typical for a jeep.

There are a lot of 7 1/2 wide plows for sale, but these are for a Ford full size pickup. I would not put a 7 1/2 foot plow on a jeep, especially with a 4 cylinder engine.

The jeep I had back in 1968 was a 59 with a plow and I lived north of Albany,NY. Did a lot of plowing with that jeep, but could get into situations where the snow was too wet to plow sideways and would push the jeep around or the springs would allow the plow to climb the snow pile rather than push it. Could spend an hour with a shovel getting the jeep back down on the ground. In other words, even with a 6 1/2 foot plow, you can get into trouble.

There is another thread about clutch problems related to plowing as well. But plowing can be fun or a lot of work.

 

Yes the wear and teat and general troubles connected to plowing with an old jeep were two other topics I've been thinking about. It SOUNDS like a great idea but if it ends up being bad for the jeep and frustrating etc, maybe I just need more shovels! LOL

 

i use a wide push shovel. the blade is a 1x6 probrobly 4' wide suported by 2x4s. when the snow piles up to like 5" i can clear my driveway in 15 minutes or less. works out real good harly ever need to get out the snowblower

 

Hey Outlaw and Jeep03, do you guys have any pix you can show me of your setups?