Questions on a snow plow

Put a new spring on it. You will be glad you did.

The spring has lost it's sprung.

Several pieces came with the plow which have been scattered about my shed and mixed with pieces of some other Gravely stuff I have collected. It came with the 812 I bought and I understood it would be lacking a couple of things, and need some attention.

I have downloaded the IPL’s and owners manuals from the old gravely’s website and studied them. There were maybe 5 or 6 different 48” blade owners manuals and I searched through them until I found the one in which the drawings looked like my stuff

Here are some extra pieces I know are part of the plow. The larger piece is the control handle assembly. The small bent rod is the angling control rod I believe? The latch control rod is in place and operates the latch OK. The trashed spring in the pictures is the blade angling spring? Does anyone have a picture of what it looks like and what it looks like installed they can post? I believe the latch control rod is missing. I may have it, and a picture of what I am looking for would be helpful if anyone has one

Richard-tx said:

Put a new spring on it. You will be glad you did.

The spring has lost it's sprung.

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seems to me it won't even work unless i do. This is something you can order at Richard's? Or will some of those springs in the TSC store work?

Richard-tx said:

Put a new spring on it. You will be glad you did.

The spring has lost it's sprung.

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I think that chain and hook is not even supposed to be part of this plow? right?

A couple pages into my 18G thread (link at the bottom) is my refurbishment of a snowdozer. I believe there are several close-up pics that may help you out. I bought a spring off-the-shelf to replace the one you're asking about.

Canary Al said:

I think that chain and hook is not even supposed to be part of this plow? right?

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Right

http://oldgravelys.net/pdf/48_Inch_Rider_Snowdozer_Op_Man_19810900.pdf

I don't have any really great photos of how the plow pieces mount, but I hope these will help you. The one of the rusty frame (with a pair of Goulds water pumps in background) shows the thinner shiny actuating rod (between the rails) that releases the latch, and the rod that changes the plow angle is on top, tied with rope to the plow pivot bolt.

The photo on the left (with decent paint) has the angle bracket stand mounted on the upper (left) frame member that is unfortunately aligned with and partially blocking the view of the control handle.

Found it: Link

yamato72 said:

Found it: Link

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Thanks Marc

I had found the thread by going to your record of threads started. I was enjoying the reading and only up to about post #77 - kept thinking perhaps it was on another of your threads, but was liking the whole thread. Even tho mine is not a G it looks like the engine is pretty much the same. Gotta adjust my carb - another learning curve. Appreciate your pictures - they will help alot.

jepics said:

I don't have any really great photos of how the plow pieces mount, but I hope these will help you. The one of the rusty frame (with a pair of Goulds water pumps in background) shows the thinner shiny actuating rod (between the rails) that releases the latch, and the rod that changes the plow angle is on top, tied with rope to the plow pivot bolt.

The photo on the left (with decent paint) has the angle bracket stand mounted on the upper (left) frame member that is unfortunately aligned with and partially blocking the view of the control handle.

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Thank you Jepics - the pictures are much appreciated. It looks like the rod i have is not the angle adjusting rod. It is too long to be the latch control rod. It is not real thick - maybe 1/4"?

That is very very good restoration of a snow blade! I give it a 9.8. I would give it a 9.9 or a 10.0 if the wear strip was painted. The use of all new hardware put it up way up there.

Well done.

Canary Al said:

seems to me it won't even work unless i do. This is something you can order at Richard's? Or will some of those springs in the TSC store work?

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Your best bet is to try to find something local. Gravely sub-contracted snow blades out to many companies. There are many different versions, all basically the same, but different. The main area of difference is in the blade end of the frame and swivel area. I have 5 plow frames in the Gravelyyard right now, and at least 4 are different. My newer plow (made for Gravely by Brinley Hardy) is buried and I don't have a picture.

Richard-tx said:

That is very very good restoration of a snow blade! I give it a 9.8. I would give it a 9.9 or a 10.0 if the wear strip was painted. The use of all new hardware put it up way up there.

Well done.

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Thanks, it is holding up quite well, the front of the blade will need another coat of paint soon. If I had to do it again (and I might in a couple of years), I would find a way to brighten up the trip springs and I would strip it again and get it powdercoated in gloss black. I did not know until afterwards that the last snowdozers came in black from the factory. I could've saved a ton of money on paint if I'd have done it up in black.

And I always use new fasteners, though I need to buy in bulk like you do.

yamato72 said:

Thanks, it is holding up quite well, the front of the blade will need another coat of paint soon. If I had to do it again (and I might in a couple of years), I would find a way to brighten up the trip springs and I would strip it again and get it powdercoated in gloss black. I did not know until afterwards that the last snowdozers came in black from the factory. I could've saved a ton of money on paint if I'd have done it up in black.

And I always use new fasteners, though I need to buy in bulk like you do.

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Your repaint looks great and for the record, the black B&H blades were satin black.

arcam8123 said:

Your best bet is to try to find something local. Gravely sub-contracted snow blades out to many companies. There are many different versions, all basically the same, but different. The main area of difference is in the blade end of the frame and swivel area. I have 5 plow frames in the Gravelyyard right now, and at least 4 are different. My newer plow (made for Gravely by Brinley Hardy) is buried and I don't have a picture.

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good info Ron - a bit worrisome to work through my learning curve on this as none of your pics look exactly like what I have. I did not realize there were so many varieties. One big concern is the plow rocks considerably up and down on the bolt where the frame and the pivot assembly plate connect. Perhaps it needs only to be tightened? I think it may be more than that. I have some of my new Kroil working on it now. Looks like I have a fair amount to go to get this functional while ugly - pretty like Marc's is at least off until warm weather.

I have a 38" blower which came with my sister's 8122. It's carefully covered and put away. It has not been run for many many years. That's a long way off

If paint wear is an issue, then a harder paint would help.

I would keep the red. I think it makes the plow more visible to traffic.

Don't worry about getting the pivot bolt completely tightened down . In order to work the blade needs a bit of looseness or slop to allow it to follow the pavement and be able to use the angle function, get it too tight and you will have a difficult time trying to angle the blade and it will leave more snow on the pavement as it can't move freely. Yes there can be too much slop when the pivot bolt is badly worn in diameter or the holes are egged out.

- so I am still trying to get this functional. I have determined that 2 key parts are missing, and are no where to be found in my collection of parts that came in with my attachements purchased.

Also the bent small steel piece i pictured earlier in the thread with the handle and pivot assembly shaft, is likely part of my belly grader (not even tinkered with yet).

I have posted the exploded drawing of the plow, and the #'d parts reference list, so people will know what i am referring to.

I am missing
#25 angling contol rod
#39 (short) latch control rod

I have the long latch control rod #26

Does anybody have either of these they can sell me?

Aksarben96 said:

Don't worry about getting the pivot bolt completely tightened down . In order to work the blade needs a bit of looseness or slop to allow it to follow the pavement and be able to use the angle function, get it too tight and you will have a difficult time trying to angle the blade and it will leave more snow on the pavement as it can't move freely. Yes there can be too much slop when the pivot bolt is badly worn in diameter or the holes are egged out.

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This is helpful - thanks. I do think the play is excessive however. It is probably caused by a bend in the weldment at the very front of the push frame through which the bolt passes that attaches it to the plow. I have posted some pics.

I have been successful after waiting for the Kroil to do it's thing, in getting the 2 nuts and lockwasher (1-1/8th nuts) off the bottom of the bolt. The bolt won't move - waiting for more Kroil to do it's thing on the bolt.