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How much forward lean is too much with an elevated plow??

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by mwinks-jeep, Nov 11, 2012.

  1. 64pete

    64pete Member

    You still have some travel so I wouldn't be too concerned. Throw a couple sandbags in back for a counterweight, and try it out. Just a tip- when you hook up the lift chain, don't hook it tight- set it so when the plow is on the ground you still have about an inch of cylinder showing- that way the plow will stay on the ground if you go over a hump. Then put a zip tie on the chain link you have in the hook so you can go right to that setting next time you put the plow on.
     
  2. mwinks-jeep

    mwinks-jeep I still love snow, Godspeed, Barney! 2024 Sponsor

    Sounds like a great idea, thanks!
     
  3. DrDanteIII

    DrDanteIII Master Procrastinator

    I've got HD 9 (IIRC) leaf springs in the front, with a double wrap on the eyelets. Handles a plow like nobody's business, even with an 8274 up front. They were installed by the PO. Downside is, they are darn hard without the plow on there.
     
  4. MarkK

    MarkK Rita the Jeep

    Here are some pictures with my plow on the jeep.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Mark
     
  5. F Bill

    F Bill Member

    Nice looking plow rig! Can't beat a jeep for the tight parking areas, sidewalks and small driveways. I worked for a guy plowing, he had two old Cj5's he'd restored every summer for the plow business, and only he and one expert employee
    were allowed to drive them. The rest of us drove full size pickups and a one ton... A few years later I got a Wrangler with a Western for my own route, and it was a lot of fun being able to turn around so quickly and in such small areas.. There was the temptation to push too far and too hard , and more than once I had to call my buddy to pull me off a large snowbank.

    Your jeep has the appropriate front end squat for a good plow rig....almost none. (You don't want to use all your ram just to compress the leaf springs..lol)
     
  6. 64pete

    64pete Member

    Looks good! I don't think your plow markers are quite long enough. They need the little flags up on top!
     
  7. MarkK

    MarkK Rita the Jeep

    Lol, the original meyer ones are long gone. Those are some old cb antennae that I had lying around. Haven't gotten around to cutting them down and painting them a brighter color.
     
  8. Billywam

    Billywam Billywam

    On my CJ5, when the plow is down, very little weight is hanging on the jeep. The majority of the plow weight will be sitting on the ground while plowing.
     
  9. termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    I may be the exception but I've never used counter weights in wimpy. In my new plow jeep I've got 11 springs in front and 13 in the rear:D
    The dana 70 does add a little extra weight I guess...
    Never had too much of an issue pushing snow.
    The original springs on my 62 had negative spring and after i replaced them with new stock leaf counts it was a lot better.
     
  10. mortten

    mortten I can’t put my finger on it 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I plowed parking lots and driveways with my 69 for years with no counter weight. Never had a problem. IMO that's a little too much sag but if your just doing local driveways shouldn't be a problem.
     
  11. PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    The help from a rear counter weight may be two-fold in my experience.

    Pushing a large mass of snow, my jeep will kick the rear-end over sideways, as a reaction to the angle of the plow. Getting unsideways-ed can be a problem in a big mess of snow.

    And backing up out of any mess of snow it can be tricky without much traction from the rear tires. In that situation the plow is most likely lifted, leaving almost no weight in the rear.
     
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2013