Tractor Plow: Easy To Install Undercarriage For 3 Point Mounted Plows
Kanon Kulpa, marketing director for KAGE Innovation is introducing the KAGE tractor 3 point undercarriage. The tractor and plow combination is an emerging force in the snow removal business. In Canada, tractors have been the preferred choice for moving snow for many years. Why does KAGE Innovation manufacture tractor 3 point undercarriages? Well the answer to that is simple.
- Rent Tractors Cheap: Tractors can be rented fairly cheap. One example of this is $1,000 – $1,400 / month for the winter months. Pound for pound, tractors can move large amounts of snow for very little up front cost, and low monthly rates compared to wheel loaders, or even skid steers!
- Tractors Are Comfortable: Tractors are comfortable, and fast. Kick ‘er down and travel sometimes 40+ MPH when roading! Now that is clipping along!
- Tractor Mounted Snowblower: Tractor mounted snow blowers are also inexpensive (compared to diesel powered units mounted to the front of wheel loaders). By attaching a 3 point snow blower to the rear of your 100+ HP ag tractor, you instantly create a pile-moving monster!
- Benefits to the KAGE Tractor Mount System: Installation Made Easy: KAGE Innovation makes the undercarriage easy to install. Most of the parts you can lift with one person, and experienced shop technicians can install them in 2-4 hours. This makes it easy to use these even if you are simply renting the tractor for the winter, and send it back in the spring. Our undercarriages are heavy duty made for ground engaging use, and have a simple design which requires almost no service. Snow plowing puts tremendous abuse on equipment, and you can be assured that our tractor mounts are built with that in mind.
- Opening The Crate: Your tractor mount will arrive much like a snowmobile … fully wrapped in a sturdy crate. When you tear away the wrap, look for the owner’s manual found inside. Each manual comes with detailed parts schematics and a step by step installation guide.
- Installing Tractor Mount Brackets: Start with installing the side frames that mount on the left and right sides of the chassis. Insert one bolt at the rear end of the side frame to hold it up. At the front of both side frames, bolt on the Side Mount Group Brackets. Lift the front of the side frames into place and loosely bolt them onto the chassis. Then finish installing the remaining side frame bolts. Next install the front mount. It’ll help to use a jack or have someone to help lift the mount in place and secure it with at least two bolts. Again, leave the bolts loose to easily install the remaining bolts. When everything is mounted, finish tightening all the remaining hardware.
- Installing The Lift Arm And Rock Shaft Pin: To install the lift arm, it’s best to use a floor jack or forklift if one’s available. Raise the lift arm into place and slide the Rock Shaft Pin through the Side Frames and Lift Arm. You might have to turn the wheel to the right for easier installation of the Pin. Next install the inch and three quarter Hex Lock-nut. If you don’t have the proper size socket, a pipe wrench will work too.
- Installing The Lift Cylinders And Hydraulic Lines: At a bench, install the fittings to both Lift Cylinders. Refer to your owner’s manual to make sure your using the correct fittings. Next attach the cylinders to the Front Mount. At the top and bottom of the left cylinder add a Tee fitting. Now install a Cylinder Bridge Line to connect the top of both cylinders, then do the same for the fittings at the bottom of both cylinders. The upper bridge line drives the downward function of the plow and the lower bridge line drives the upward function. To install the Mid to Front Hydro Line Hoses, attach these to the Tees on the left cylinder. Next, loosen the plugs at the Loader Valve. With the tractor running activate the joystick so you can determine the correct ports for the raise and lower function. Again, use a spotter to help with this process. Once you’ve determined the forward and back ports, attach the Mid to Front Hydro Line Hose that runs from the top of the cylinders to the forward port. Repeat this process for the backward port that runs to the bottom of the lift cylinders. Next, install the four Standard Ag Couplings and soft plastic dust caps to the Bulkhead. Hook up both the Mid Front and Rear-Front Hydro Lines to the Couplings at the Bulkhead. These four bulkhead lines will run the plow angle function and if equipped, the hydro clamp for the box attachment. Usually the operator prefers the plow angle function is hooked to the left and right joystick ports. However, depending on the tractor that you have, it may be necessary to run the plow angle function off of the rear auxiliary. To simplify this process in the future, make note of which couplers go to which function. It’s up to you to determine the best sequence that these couplers are installed. It may be helpful to use colored zip ties or tape to mark the ends. Once you’ve got the lines run properly, tighten up all the hose connections. Finally, secure all the hoses with the large supplied Zip Ties. Yeah, we even added those to your kit.
- Final Leak, Clearance And Fitment Check: In the final phase of the installation process, we’ll check for clearances and leaks. Start your tractor and crank the wheel of the tractor from right to left. If the tire hits the rock shaft, the tires need more clearance and you may need to flip your wheels to the wider stance or adjust the stop on the axle. Next, we’ll attach the snow plow (KAGE of course!). Let’s make sure that the top link is adjusted properly. When the plow is set all the way down it should be perpendicular to the ground. We achieve this by turning the top link in or out. Next, lift the plow slowly all the way to make sure that the top link doesn’t interfere with anything. Here is where you can also adjust the lift height. By moving the top mast of your plow, you can shorten your top link, which will lift the plow faster. The shorter the top link, the higher the plow will raise.
The tractor can be an amazing addition to your snow removal business. If you’ve got any questions about our tractor mounts, just call or email us today! Our friendly staff is there to help you in any way they can. You can also check out this plow-site thread that talks about using a tractor to plow a large commercial lot. https://www.plowsite.com/threads/walmart-snow-removal-bid.171656/#post-2230701
www.kageinnovation.com | info@kageinnovation.com | 1-844-314-5243
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