tcrote5516
New member
Equipment
BX1860, FEL, 50" Front Blower, Heated Cab, 6' blade, 3pt carry all, 3pt hitch
I scored a good deal on a new BX5450 this weekend for my BX1860. The only drawback is it's manual shoot control which won't work with my cab...well, to be fair it could but I really don't see myself using a wonky crank handle attached to a $15,000 tractor with a $3,500 snowblower.
So, the plan is to use a power window motor and a linear actuator to get full control over the snow.
For the left to right action I've ordered a power window motor for a 02 Ford Crown Vic. I choose this one because the output shaft mates to a standard socket. I plan to weld a shaft on the socket and that shaft will sit in the same hole the handcrank rod currently resides.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301665587813?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
For the up and down motion I ordered a 4" linear actuator. This one comes with the brackets which should make installing it a bit easier.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/112053551895?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
I picked up a small project box and a couple of DPDT momentary switches to control the motion.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111476556235?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
While I wait for the parts to be delivered I started the wiring. First I tapped into the terminal strip I already had installed for my cab to the right of the battery. On this strip I have Ground, Battery positive and ignition switched positive off a 30amp relay (relay is tucked just above the strip).
I routed the cables out with the lines that go to the FEL. I put a 4 pin connector in right at the hydro connections so when I remove the blower and the quick hitch they all disconnect in the same place.
I'm also making individual connections at each motor so if I just want to disconnect just the blower and leave the quick hitch attached I can do that easily.
I was all over the map on what to choose for a controller. I wanted a single joystick but decided against it because of the additional relay's that would be needed would introduce another opportunity for failure. I ended up keeping it simple with two DPDT momentary switches that will not require relays and come with a rubber boot. I found a very small (going to be a pain to wire) project box that fits nicely on the cover at the base of the FEL control lever. Not the best looking but it put's the switches in a great ergonomic location so my left hand can stay on the wheel and the right can do all the controlling.
Obviously the fun part starts when I get the rest of the parts but it's a start.
So, the plan is to use a power window motor and a linear actuator to get full control over the snow.
For the left to right action I've ordered a power window motor for a 02 Ford Crown Vic. I choose this one because the output shaft mates to a standard socket. I plan to weld a shaft on the socket and that shaft will sit in the same hole the handcrank rod currently resides.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301665587813?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
For the up and down motion I ordered a 4" linear actuator. This one comes with the brackets which should make installing it a bit easier.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/112053551895?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
I picked up a small project box and a couple of DPDT momentary switches to control the motion.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111476556235?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
While I wait for the parts to be delivered I started the wiring. First I tapped into the terminal strip I already had installed for my cab to the right of the battery. On this strip I have Ground, Battery positive and ignition switched positive off a 30amp relay (relay is tucked just above the strip).
I routed the cables out with the lines that go to the FEL. I put a 4 pin connector in right at the hydro connections so when I remove the blower and the quick hitch they all disconnect in the same place.
I'm also making individual connections at each motor so if I just want to disconnect just the blower and leave the quick hitch attached I can do that easily.
I was all over the map on what to choose for a controller. I wanted a single joystick but decided against it because of the additional relay's that would be needed would introduce another opportunity for failure. I ended up keeping it simple with two DPDT momentary switches that will not require relays and come with a rubber boot. I found a very small (going to be a pain to wire) project box that fits nicely on the cover at the base of the FEL control lever. Not the best looking but it put's the switches in a great ergonomic location so my left hand can stay on the wheel and the right can do all the controlling.
Obviously the fun part starts when I get the rest of the parts but it's a start.