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Offline 214skier

Snowplow Advice
« on: October 30, 2023, 08:21:56 PM »
I have a 2022 uForce 600.  Planning to add a snowplow for this season.

I have narrowed my search to a KFI plow (open to other opinions here).  I like how it mounts simply to the front frame and it's super easy to remove when not in use.

The question I have for the group is 66" or 72" blade?

I appreciate the feedback.

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Offline Petroni

Re: Snowplow Advice
« Reply #1 on: November 03, 2023, 12:40:18 PM »
I have the KFI 72 inch.  I have an asphalt road so I'm soon to be on my 3rd set of shoes as they wear down pretty quick-I also have the urethane edge to keep from damaging the road, wears quick and is kind of expensive so I'm not sure I'll buy another.  I tripped my blade once at low speed and it ripped the mount up so I had to make my own-and add a 14-gauge steel skid plate to the front to add some steel.  The whole setup sticks out longer than it needs to, even when tilted, so this puts extra strain on the front end.  So I am careful to avoid potholes and other obstacles.  I have hydraulic tilt and lift so I don't deal with broken winch cables.  I think someone sells a kit that can change the geometry of the cable so they don't fail as often

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Offline Petroni

Re: Snowplow Advice
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2023, 09:00:03 AM »
And, if I attach the pics correctly you can see how far out the blade is when fully angled over, way too much IMO.  This really puts strain on the front.  I had to make my own plow mount originally as they weren't available the time.  It was the same that everyone sells pretty much-I have cnc, plasma etc.  If you use that one, and it will work if your careful,  I recommend at least re-tapping the plow adapter mount holes to a course thread, higher quality bolt (and loctite them in) as mine just ripped the bolts and bent the front steel cover.  Also make sure you check them a couple times a season to make sure they don't get loose.    And as I said before, this was a slow (no more than 5mph) blade trip when a foot went in a pothole and caught the asphalt.
The second pic is the mount I made.  The frame pushes almost directly on the push tube, underneath is a steel sheet going back to about under the seats.  I also welded some 1/8x1.5x1.5 angle down the sheet about the original square frame.  I'm sure its metric but the frame seems no thicker than 16 gauge or lighter. 
I may end up making my own push tube and mid-mounting it.  I had a Kawi Brute Force 750 before this and loved the mid-mount.  I'm pretty sure most, if not all, other brands push tubes stick out this far, as they like to be one size fits all. 
The benefit of the cable system over hydraulic is that the blade can float up more than hydraulic.  I only have a 2 inches of float, and my hydraulic provides no down force.  My damage was caused when I was using a cable lift system tho.
The 72 blade will clear your tires when tilted, I'm not sure of 66. 
I went full nuts and enclosed the cab and put doors and a heater in mine.
« Last Edit: November 05, 2023, 09:07:21 AM by Petroni »

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Offline 214skier

Re: Snowplow Advice
« Reply #3 on: November 09, 2023, 07:16:05 PM »
Thank you very much for all the good advice.  I ordered the 66” blade.  At 25º it still extends beyond the wheels by 2” on either side.  I agree, I want to minimize strain.  My asphalt driveway is pretty smooth; however, I will take your warning—catching and tripping would be terrible for sure.

Like you, I have full cab, solid doors, heated seats and central heating.  I have used my 5 series John Deere to plow previous seasons; however, it does not have a cab and was quite cold.  Staying in the uForce with music and a cup of coffee seems much more pleasant.  Looking forward to it.

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Offline Petroni

Re: Snowplow Advice
« Reply #4 on: November 10, 2023, 03:54:33 PM »
Did you get the bypass valve for the heater? 

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Offline Petroni

Re: Snowplow Advice
« Reply #5 on: November 12, 2023, 03:51:34 PM »
Thank you very much for all the good advice.  I ordered the 66” blade.  At 25º it still extends beyond the wheels by 2” on either side.  I agree, I want to minimize strain.  My asphalt driveway is pretty smooth; however, I will take your warning—catching and tripping would be terrible for sure.

Like you, I have full cab, solid doors, heated seats and central heating.  I have used my 5 series John Deere to plow previous seasons; however, it does not have a cab and was quite cold.  Staying in the uForce with music and a cup of coffee seems much more pleasant.  Looking forward to it.

I have a very similar setup-heated seats too...plan to add 2 way remote start ;D  Have a tractor as well-not used for snow removal, only moving/dumping.  I asked about the heater bypass as the engine has a hard time producing the heat unless your really working it.  I'm at the end of a 1 mile asphalt driveway.  I like to use the utv for most conditions but I have an f250 with a 9'6" v plow for the bigger snow.  I enclosed everything, and like a lot of people, realized how loud it was.  I'm trying to find a solution for that.  I know a welding blanket would help but I'm not sure of the damage it would cause being layed on the engine-due to vibration.  I grew up in Enumclaw BTW.

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Offline Petroni

Re: Snowplow Advice
« Reply #6 on: December 14, 2023, 11:49:13 AM »
And just for info.  Today we got a good 8 to 12 inches of wet snow.  I can say that at 7k feet with the 72 inch plow that this is IMO the limit of the 600.  I had the pedal buried in low, and blade tilted, and it did the job but it was straining, didn't smell a belt but I think it was close.

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Offline NMKawierider

Re: Snowplow Advice
« Reply #7 on: December 14, 2023, 12:38:11 PM »
Yeah I saw it spilling over the mountain yesterday so I knew you guys were getting it good. My brother is out in Edgewood and I'm sure he got it pretty good as well. 
2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS
Custom Air Intakes | Custom Exhaust Mod | SuperATV Harness | Custom Fenders | Custom Skid/Rock Sliders | 27" GBC Grim Reapers | Seizmik Mirrors |Конструктор Doors | Dr Pulley Sliders | 1.5" Wheel Spacers | BENZ Silencer (as needed) | SATV Flip Windshield W\ Rear Shield | Dual Light Bars | Diamond Plate Storage |7- 9.7" GPS Systems | Bandit Springs Rear & Gen-3 Shocks Front | Cage Chop Mod

My Videos On YouTube

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Offline Petroni

Re: Snowplow Advice
« Reply #8 on: December 15, 2023, 03:47:14 PM »
It was thick and some of it was uphill so if your flat landing at 1k feet your experience may vary.
But it got me thinking about a real "normalized" turbo, which is not a turbo system designed to extract max HP but made to get sea level performance out of an engine running at 7k feet-so your not stressing and over boosting.  I bought a new cheap turbo for my 26hp tractor that I have yet to retrofit.  You can get turbos for grom 125's so does anybody know if there's a fit for the lil 600?

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Offline NMKawierider

Re: Snowplow Advice
« Reply #9 on: December 15, 2023, 03:59:45 PM »
I'm fairly sure there is not. I think I read somewhere that an engine looses 3% of it's power for every 1000 feet above sea level. I'm about 5200 feet here so that about 15% and you being at 7000 would be closer to 21%. That's a lot on these little engines.
2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS
Custom Air Intakes | Custom Exhaust Mod | SuperATV Harness | Custom Fenders | Custom Skid/Rock Sliders | 27" GBC Grim Reapers | Seizmik Mirrors |Конструктор Doors | Dr Pulley Sliders | 1.5" Wheel Spacers | BENZ Silencer (as needed) | SATV Flip Windshield W\ Rear Shield | Dual Light Bars | Diamond Plate Storage |7- 9.7" GPS Systems | Bandit Springs Rear & Gen-3 Shocks Front | Cage Chop Mod

My Videos On YouTube

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Offline Petroni

Re: Snowplow Advice
« Reply #10 on: January 11, 2024, 06:15:11 PM »
So....other items associated with snowplowing....I'm adding a back blade (52 inch) with hydraulic lift.  The lift contraption is the Impact Implements/Moto Alliance version.  I bought it as the price at about 450 delivered, not a bad price considering a Parker ElectroHydraulic actuator can be 900 alone.  The blade I'm waiting from eBay at $165 (impact Implements). 
I would not use the back blade for anything but snow or something very loose as the hitch connection on the UTV is not very robust.  Plus CVT's are not made for that kind of abuse.  Get a tractor.
If you can see the front left skid shoe on the plow has been replaced with a field repair version.  I rip those shoes up pretty often.  I plan to make a skid "ski" that should make a season.  I probably do 30 miles of plowing a season on my road which includes my neighbors long gravel drives-which is quite a bit for a little UTV.

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Offline NMKawierider

Re: Snowplow Advice
« Reply #11 on: January 11, 2024, 07:27:18 PM »
Yeah be careful on that receiver. Others have buckled it and the frame just by a little overloading. But...they weren't UForces so...
2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS
Custom Air Intakes | Custom Exhaust Mod | SuperATV Harness | Custom Fenders | Custom Skid/Rock Sliders | 27" GBC Grim Reapers | Seizmik Mirrors |Конструктор Doors | Dr Pulley Sliders | 1.5" Wheel Spacers | BENZ Silencer (as needed) | SATV Flip Windshield W\ Rear Shield | Dual Light Bars | Diamond Plate Storage |7- 9.7" GPS Systems | Bandit Springs Rear & Gen-3 Shocks Front | Cage Chop Mod

My Videos On YouTube