Well, I got this plow as a freebie from a friend. It's a Craftsman plow that is supposed to hook to the tractor in the rear pin (pintle?) location. That was the easy part!
Here's a pic of the frame under the tractor. There was no way of lifting or steadying the plow frame. So I needed to figure out how to restrain it from moving left to right, but also lift it vertically.
![T-Dub's Snow and Mud Plow project Mms_picture16_zpsfb2bd439](https://2img.net/h/i13.photobucket.com/albums/a274/beefytorque/mms_picture16_zpsfb2bd439.jpg)
I gathered some brackets and some angle from an old bed frame and started fitting and looking. Imagination is key here. still not quite sure what to do... Never seen a LT plow lift mechanism up close before.
![T-Dub's Snow and Mud Plow project Mms_picture15_zps01e94761](https://2img.net/h/i13.photobucket.com/albums/a274/beefytorque/mms_picture15_zps01e94761.jpg)
Top plate + two brackets + a piece of pipe + Toro RER steering column = an idea...
![T-Dub's Snow and Mud Plow project Mms_picture14_zps9b18ebe6](https://2img.net/h/i13.photobucket.com/albums/a274/beefytorque/mms_picture14_zps9b18ebe6.jpg)
Putting the ideas together and using some more imagination...
I want to be able to disconnect the entire thing easily and simply.
The pipe will be pinned through the lift rod by bolts.
![T-Dub's Snow and Mud Plow project Mms_picture13_zps6723fb5a](https://2img.net/h/i13.photobucket.com/albums/a274/beefytorque/mms_picture13_zps6723fb5a.jpg)
Mount the top plate to the stamped steel frame (hope it's strong enough)!!!
And add the next channel links to connect the two mechanisms.
![T-Dub's Snow and Mud Plow project Mms_picture11_zpsff0621ea](https://2img.net/h/i13.photobucket.com/albums/a274/beefytorque/mms_picture11_zpsff0621ea.jpg)
![T-Dub's Snow and Mud Plow project Mms_picture12_zpsb2f4e3b0](https://2img.net/h/i13.photobucket.com/albums/a274/beefytorque/mms_picture12_zpsb2f4e3b0.jpg)
Welded and pinned. I used 1/4-20-UNC bolts as pins for now. Nyloc nuts so I can hand tighten and they won't fall off.
Used a torch to form the lift bar.
Used 1/2-13-UNC nuts and bolts for pivots.
![T-Dub's Snow and Mud Plow project Mms_picture110_zpsbd997fba](https://2img.net/h/i13.photobucket.com/albums/a274/beefytorque/mms_picture110_zpsbd997fba.jpg)
Used the handlebar from an old Ariens snowblower for the handle.
Took a while to get the position right for raising / lowering from the sitting position!
![T-Dub's Snow and Mud Plow project Mms_picture19_zps37fa244a](https://2img.net/h/i13.photobucket.com/albums/a274/beefytorque/mms_picture19_zps37fa244a.jpg)
How do I hold the plow in the upright position? Welded a hook onto the handle to hook under the fender. I hope the fender is strong enough and doesn't fatigue after some use...
![T-Dub's Snow and Mud Plow project Mms_picture18_zpsdfccf8bc](https://2img.net/h/i13.photobucket.com/albums/a274/beefytorque/mms_picture18_zpsdfccf8bc.jpg)
![T-Dub's Snow and Mud Plow project Mms_picture17_zps12b67fc0](https://2img.net/h/i13.photobucket.com/albums/a274/beefytorque/mms_picture17_zps12b67fc0.jpg)
And DONE! No snow around here anymore, but she does plow mud pretty well!
Plus, I can pull two clips in the rear and remove two hand tightened nuts / bolts in front and leave the entire thing behind.
![T-Dub's Snow and Mud Plow project Mms_picture111_zps3475ff6f](https://2img.net/h/i13.photobucket.com/albums/a274/beefytorque/mms_picture111_zps3475ff6f.jpg)
![T-Dub's Snow and Mud Plow project Mms_picture114_zps63fa1415](https://2img.net/h/i13.photobucket.com/albums/a274/beefytorque/mms_picture114_zps63fa1415.jpg)