Plow Operator's Guide - Basic Guide to Plowing INDUSTRIES * BASIC GUIDE TO PLOWING 1 Plow Operator's Guide - Basic Guide to Plowing ... operator’s. Plow Tube Assembly

WARN INDUSTRIES * BASIC GUIDE TO PLOWING1

Plow Operator's Guide - BasicGuide to Plowing

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

General safety precautions ............................................................................... 2-5

Plow Basics ...................................................................................................... 6-9

How the Plow Works ..................................................................................... 10-11

Plow Accessories & Enhancements ................................................................. 12

Before you Plow ............................................................................................ 13-16

Plowing ......................................................................................................... 17-18

Maintenance/Storage ......................................................................................... 19

Final Comment .................................................................................................. 19

WARN INDUSTRIES OFF-ROAD PRODUCTS

12900 S.E. Capps RoadClackamas, OR 97015-8903 USA

Customer Service: 1-800-543-WARN (9276)Fax: 1-503-722-3000

www.warn.com

Every plowing situation has the potential for personal injury. In order to minimize that risk, itis important that you read this Basic Guide carefully, familiarize yourself with the operation ofyour plow before having to use it, and be constantly safety oriented. In this Guide, we will setforth many of the basic rules of safe plow operation. However, because every plowingsituation is different, your constant good judgment and consistent focus on safety are ofgreat importance.


GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

As you read these instructions, you will seeWARNINGS, CAUTIONS, NOTICES and NOTES.Each message has a specific purpose. WARNINGSare safety messages that indicate a potentiallyhazardous situation, which, if not avoided could resultin serious injury or death. CAUTIONS are safetymessages that indicate a potentially hazardoussituation which, if not avoided, could result in minor ormoderate injury. A CAUTION may also be used toalert against unsafe practice. CAUTIONS andWARNINGS identify the hazard, indicate how to avoidthe hazard, and advise of the probable consequenceof not avoiding the hazard. NOTICES are messagesto avoid property damage. NOTES are additionalinformation to help you complete a procedure.PLEASE WORK SAFELY!

WARNING

WARNING

CHEMICAL AND FIRE HAZARDFailure to observe these instructions couldlead to severe injury or death.• Always remove jewelry and wear eye

protection.• Never lean over battery while making

connections.• Always verify area is clear of fuel lines, fuel

tank, brake lines, electrical wires, etc. whendrilling.

• Never route electrical cables:- Across any sharp edges.- Through or near moving parts.- Near parts that become hot.

• Always insulate and protect all exposedwiring and electrical terminals.

• Always install terminal boots as directed ininstallation instructions.

Warnings and Cautions

WARNING

FALLING OR CRUSHING HAZARDFailure to observe these instructions couldlead to severe injury or death.• Never use winch to lift or move persons.• Never use winch as a hoist or to suspend a

load.• Never operate winch with less than 5 wraps of

rope around the drum. Rope could come loosefrom the drum, as the rope attachment to thedrum is not designed to hold a load.

MOVING PARTS ENTANGLEMENTHAZARDFailure to observe these instructions couldlead to severe injury or death.To avoid injury to hands or fingers:• Always keep hands clear of rope, hook loop,

hook and fairlead opening during installation,operation and when spooling in or out.

• Always use extreme caution when handling hookand rope during spooling operations.

• Always use supplied hook strap wheneverspooling rope in or out, during installation, andduring operation.

• Always keep vehicle in sight during winchingoperation.

• Always wear heavy leather gloves when handlingrope.

• Always plow cautiously, impact with hidden orstationary object may cause the vehicle to stopsuddenly or go out of control.

• Never operate the vehicle on slopes greater than10 degrees with the plow installed.

• Never stand or ride on the plow.• Never remove the springs and hard fixture the

blade to the plow base or vehicle. Doing so willprevent the plow from tripping (rollover) during animpact with a low-lying object and possiblydamage the plow, vehicle, or eject the rider fromthe vehicle causing serious injury or death.



MOVING PARTS ENTANGLEMENTHAZARDFailure to observe these instructions couldlead to severe injury or death.• Always stay clear of moving parts and joints.• Always keep others away when operating or

adjusting plow.• Always perform regular inspections and

maintenance on the plow mechanism, fasteners,rope and related hardware.

• Always replace all worn or damaged parts beforeoperating.

• Never operate this WARN product with damagedor missing parts.

• Always drive slowly over bumpy and roughterrain. Driving at speeds that cause the plow tobounce while in the up position may cause the liftsystem to back-drive, lowering the plow down.This may result in the plow impacting a stationaryobject and cause damage to the vehicle andoperator injury or death.

• Always drive at speeds such that the plow doesnot bounce and be aware of the plow positionwhile driving at all times.

• Never raise the plow to a solid (stall/lock) positionagainst vehicle, as it may damage the vehicle liftdevice and plow.

• Always wear a helmet and appropriate ridinggear when operating the vehicle.

• Always store the plow system in a dry placewhen not in use.

• Always lower the plow to the down positionbefore leaving the vehicle unattended.

• Never operate the plow near bystanders.• Never be near or contact the plow or lifting

device while the plow is being raised orlowered.

• Always operate plow vehicle with care. Vehicleweight balance and stability can be greatlychanged when a plow is attached and when thevehicle is pushing a loaded plow. With thischange, steering and vehicle control will bedifferent.

• Always use appropriate and adequate care inlifting components into place.

• Always insure components will remain secureduring installation and operation.

• Always tighten all nuts and bolts securely, per theinstallation instructions.

WARNING WARNINGMOVING PARTS ENTANGLEMENTHAZARDFailure to observe these instructions couldlead to severe injury or death.To avoid injury to hands or fingers:• Never remove the hook from the end of the winch

rope. The hook prevents the end of the winchrope from being pulled into the roller-fairlead.Removal of the hook increases the chance thatfingers or other extremities may be pulled into theroller-fairlead causing personal injury. Leave thewinch hook on and always follow safe winchingtechniques as described in the Winching Guideincluded with your winch.

• Never winch with the rope outside of the roller-fairlead. Doing so can result in severe vehicledamage and rope wear that can cause the winchrope to break suddenly and potentially causedestructive vehicle damage and major injury ordeath to riders and bystanders. Always route therope through the roller-fairlead before winching.

• Always check the winch for back-driving and ropenesting before plowing. Failure to do so maycause the plow to creep downward when in the upposition. If the plow creeps down low enough, theblade may hit a stationary object ejecting the riderfrom the vehicle and causing serious injury ordeath.

• Always check lift mechanism, straps or winchrope integrity before plowing. Failure to do somay cause the plow to drop suddenly from the upposition and impact a low-lying object, potentiallyejecting the rider from the vehicle and causingserious injury or death.

• Always replace winch rope if appears worn orfrayed before plowing.

• Always be sure the latch lever handle is fullyengaged before plowing. In some instances itmay be necessary to push the handle to engage itinto the plow base. Failure to properly engage theplow may result in loss of vehicle control whichcan lead to vehicle damage, personal injury, oreven death.

• Always operate the vehicle at a low speed withthe blade installed. Never exceed 5 mph (8 km/h),even with blade up. Use low range if vehicle isequipped.



CAUTIONMOVING PARTS ENTANGLEMENTHAZARDFailure to observe these instructions couldlead to minor or moderate injury.General Safety:• Always know your winch. Take time to fully read

the Installation Guide and the Basic Guide toWinching Techniques in order to understandyour winch and its operation.

• Never operate this winch if you are under 16years of age.

• Never operate this winch when under theinfluence of drugs, alcohol or medication.

• Never exceed winch or rope capacity listed onproduct data sheet. Double line using a snatchblock to reduce winch load.

Installation Safety:• Always choose a mounting location that is

sufficiently strong to withstand the maximumpulling capacity of your winch.

• Always use factory approved mountinghardware, components, and accessories.

• Always use grade 5 (grade 8.8 metric) or bettermounting hardware.

• Always power winch with only therecommended electrical system voltage. Seethe winch specification sheet for details.

• Never weld mounting bolts.• Always use care when using longer bolts than

those supplied from factory. Bolts that are toolong can damage winch and/or prevent thewinch from being mounted securely.

• Always mount the winch and attach the hook tothe rope’s end loop before connecting theelectrical wiring.

• Always position fairlead with WARNING labelon top.

• Always spool the rope onto the drum in thedirection specified by the winch warning label onthe winch and/or documentation. This isrequired for the automatic brake (if so equipped)to function properly.

• Always prestretch wire rope and respool underload before use. Tightly wound wire ropereduces chances of “binding”, which candamage the rope.

CAUTIONMOVING PARTS ENTANGLEMENTHAZARDFailure to observe these instructions couldlead to minor or moderate injury.Winching Safety:• Always inspect, rope, hook, and slings before

operating winch. Frayed, kinked or damaged ropemust be replaced immediately. Damagedcomponents must be replaced before operation.Protect parts from damage.

• Never leave remote control plugged into winchwhen free spooling, rigging, or when the winch isnot being used.

• Never hook rope back onto itself. This damagesthe rope.

• Always use a choker chain, choker rope, or treetrunk protector on the anchor.

• Always remove any element or obstacle that mayinterfere with safe operation of the winch.

• Always take time to use appropriate riggingtechniques for a winch pull.

• Always be certain the anchor you select willwithstand the load and the strap or chain will notslip.

• Never engage or disengage clutch if winch isunder load, rope is in tension or drum is moving.

• Always select an anchor point as far away aspossible. This will provide the winch with itsgreatest pulling power.

• Never touch rope or hook while in tension orunder load.

• Never touch rope or hook while someone else isat the control switch or during winching operation.

• Always stand clear of rope and load and keepothers away while winching.

• Always be aware of stability of vehicle and loadduring winching, keep others away. Alert allbystanders of any unstable condition.

• Never use winch to secure a load.• Always keep wired remote control lead clear of

the drum, rope and rigging. Inspect for cracks,pinches, frayed wires or loose connections.Replace remote control if damaged.

• Always pass wired remote control through awindow to avoid pinching lead in door, when usingremote inside a vehicle.

• Never leave remote control where it can beactivated during freespooling, rigging, or when thewinch is not being used.

• Always require operator and bystanders to beaware of vehicle and or load.



AVOID WINCH AND EQUIPMENTDAMAGE• Always avoid side pulls which can pile up rope at

one end of the drum. This can damage rope orwinch.

• Always ensure the clutch is fully engaged ordisengaged.

• Never use winch to tow other vehicles or objects.Shock loads can momentarily exceed capacity ofrope and winch.

• Always avoid “powering out” for extendeddistances. This causes excess heat and wear onthe winch motor and brake.

• Always use care to not damage the vehicleframe when anchoring to a vehicle during awinching operation.

• Never “jog” rope under load. Shock loads canmomentarily exceed capacity of rope and winch.

• Never use winch to secure a load duringtransport.

• Never submerge winch in water.• Always store the remote control in a protected,

clean, dry area.• Always double line or pick distant anchor point

when rigging. This maximizes pulling power andavoids overloading the winch.

NOTICE

CAUTION

CUT AND BURN HAZARDFailure to observe these instructions couldlead to minor or moderate injury.To avoid injury to hands and fingers:• Always wear heavy leather gloves when

handling a rope.• Never let rope slip through your hands.• Always be aware of possible hot surface at

winch motor, drum or rope during or after winchuse.

CAUTION

MOVING PARTS ENTANGLEMENTHAZARDFailure to observe these instructions couldlead to minor to moderate injury.• Always use a hook with a latch• Always ensure hook latch is closed and not

supporting load.• Never apply load to hook tip or latch. Apply load

only to the center of hook.• Never use a hook whose throat opening has

increased, or whose tip is bent or twisted.


PLOW BASICS

WARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNINGAlways performregular inspectionsand maintenanceon the plowmechanism,fasteners, rope andrelated hardware.Always operatethe vehicle at a lowspeed with theblade installed.Never exceed 5mph (8 km/h), evenwith blade up. Uselow range if vehicleis equipped.

The WARN ProVantage plow system is divided into four separate

kits. This allows the user to build a plow system per his/her liking

and for the specific vehicle they own. A user must have one of each

kit in order to have a working plow system. A complete plow

system is made up of four kits :

1. PLOW BLADE

2. PLOW BASE ASSEMBLY

3. VEHICLE PLOW MOUNT

4. PLOW LIFT MECHANISM

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PLOW BASICS

Before You Begin:To start, you should familiarize yourself with your WARNProVantage plow and each of its components:

The Plow Blade is the primarycomponent in the plow system.It is sold in various sizes andstyles for different applicationsand vehicle sizes. The “MoldBoard” is the curved face of theblade. The mold board isspecifically designed to rollsnow or plowed material. Theribs on the back and thestructure on the bottom of theblade provide strength andrigidity.

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CACACACACAUTIONUTIONUTIONUTIONUTIONNever operate orinstall a winchwithout reading orunderstanding theoperator’smanuals.Always read andunderstand productmanuals andwarnings prior toinstallation anduse.

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2. The Wear Bar is the rectangularmetal bar that is bolted to thebottom of the plow blade. This baris the cutting edge and takes thebrunt of the force and wearinvolved in plowing. It is a wearitem and should be replaced if wornback to the adjacent mold boardedge.


PLOW BASICS

WARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNING

Never remove thehook from the endof the winch rope.The hook preventsthe end of thewinch rope frombeing pulled intothe roller-fairlead.Removal of thehook increasesthe chance thatfingers or otherextremities may bepulled into theroller-fairleadcausing personalinjury. Leave thewinch hook on andalways follow safewinchingtechniques asdescribed in theWinching Guideincluded with yourwinch.

The Plow Skid is used to controlthe cutting/plowing height of theblade. It is designed to hold theblade wear bar off the ground ata user-selected height. Theseare also wear items and shouldbe inspected often and replacedas needed.

The Plow Blade Return Springrestrains the plow blade in anupright position during plowing.If the blade wear bar contacts avery low non-movable object, theblade will roll over (forward)against the force of this spring.

The Spring Tension Bracket isused to tension the return springand secure the spring end to theswivel base assembly. Be surethe left and right are on thesame setting.

The Stop Block is used to setthe plow blade attack angle.Rotating the stop blocks changesthe scraping or cutting action ofthe blade. It provides threepositions, to match plowingconditions. Be sure to set rightand left blocks in the sameposition.

The Plow Latch Lever securesthe plow blade pivot angle.Pressing this lever will releasethe latch and allow the blade tobe rotated about a vertical axis.This lever is spring loaded so itwill automatically engage whenthe base assembly slots align.

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PLOW BASICS

WARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNINGAlways performregular inspectionsand maintenance onthe plowmechanism,fasteners, rope andrelated hardware.

8. The Plow Rope Guide isused to route the winch ropeto the rear cross-member ofthe plow tube assembly. Therope guide is pinned at thelower hole to allow the rope tobe easily removed from theplow. Use of the rope guideprevents the rope end loopand swage from hanging upon the fairlead when the plowis fully raised.

The Plow Tube Assembly isthe main frame of the plowand attaches the plow bladeto the vehicle by way of theplow mount. The tubes in thisassembly transfer the pushingpower of the vehicle into theplow blade. The front part ofthis assembly is the swivel orpivot platform. This platformsupports the blade and allowsthe blade to pivot from side toside as selected by theoperator. It also provides liftpoints for raising the plowblade with a winch or plow lift.

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WARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNINGNever remove thehook from the endof the winch rope.The hook preventsthe end of thewinch rope frombeing pulled intothe roller-fairlead.Removal of thehook increasesthe chance thatfingers or otherextremities may bepulled into theroller-fairleadcausing personalinjury. Leave thewinch hook on andalways follow safewinchingtechniques asdescribed in theWinching Guideincluded with yourwinch.

10. The Plow Mounting Tabs aresupplied in the plow mounting kit.These are designed specific toeach vehicle and attach the plowtube assembly to the plow mount.Each tab has a pivot disk or roundpiece of steel. This pivot disk fitsinto the mount cradle that providesalignment, allowing easy insertionand removal of the connectingpins.


HOW THE PLOW WORKSPlow Mechanics

Now that you are familiarwith your WARN plow and itscomponents, we can beginreviewing how it works. The plowwear bar contacts the surface tobe plowed and scrapes thematerial from the surface. Thematerial is then pushed into theblade by the material on the plowsurface and slides along the moldboard. The material rolls over and

falls on top of the material in frontof the plow as it reaches the top ofthe mold board.

When the blade is set at apivot angle, the plowed materialwill roll over and flow to the side ofthe vehicle, leaving the areaplowed.

As the material rolls over infront of the plow blade it willbecome deeper. The deeper thematerial the harder the vehicle willneed to work to move the material.If the material is too deep or thevehicle has no traction, the plow

The operator mustbe in good healthand free of jointproblems if usingthe manual lift. Themanual lift isintended foroccasional andlight duty plowing.WARN encouragespersons who doheavy or frequentplowing to use awinch or electricactuator for a plowlifting device.

CACACACACAUTIONUTIONUTIONUTIONUTION

WARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNINGAlways check thewinch for back-driving and nestingbefore plowing.Failure to do so maycause the plow tocreep downwardwhen in the upposition. If the plowcreeps down lowenough, the blademay hit a stationaryobject ejecting therider from thevehicle and causingserious injury ordeath.Always check winchrope integrity beforeplowing. Failure todo so may causethe plow to dropsuddenly from theup position andimpact a low-lyingobject, potentiallyejecting the riderfrom the vehicle andcausing seriousinjury or death.Always replacewinch rope ifappears worn orfrayed beforeplowing.

will not be effective as the materialwill not be able to roll over in frontof the blade.

The blade attack angle can beadjusted and will change the bladecutting action. Generally, the bladeshould be set with the top lip in theback position (see page 15).

The plow gravel skids may beused to control how deep the blade

will cut into the material on the plowsurface. The skids may be set toraise the wear bar the maximumdistance off the surface. The areamay be plowed to remove the toplayer of material. A second passmay be made with the skids in araised position that will allow theblade to remove all material downto the ground surface. Operatingwith the skids at maximum positionmay be optimal when gradingmaterial onto the surface or whentrying to keep the wear bar fromdamaging the surface.


HOW THE PLOW WORKS

Single Line Rigging

Double Line Rigging

WARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNINGVehicle weightbalance and stabilitycan be greatlychanged when aplow is attached andwhen the vehicle ispushing a loadedplow. With thischange, steeringand vehicle controlwill be different.Always operate thevehicle at a lowspeed with the bladeinstalled. Neverexceed 5 mph (8km/h), even withblade up. Use lowrange if vehicle isequipped.

Plow LiftThe plow requires a lifting

device. The lifting device maybe awinch, a plow lift actuator or amanual device. If a winch is used,it is recommended that theoperator replace the winch ropewith the plow lift rope listed in theaccessories section of the WARNPowersports catalog(www.warn.com). It is alsorecommended, that the standardwinch roller fairlead be replacedwith the plow roller fairlead. Thisfairlead has a large bottom rollerthat will reduce rope wear. Using awinch to raise and lower a plow willcause rope wear. Always replacea damaged or worn rope. Consultthe WARN Basic Guide toWinching booklet.

A winch rope may be riggedsingle or double line. A double linerequires a pulley to be attached tothe plow. The winch rope is thenrouted from the roller fairlead,around the pulley, and then back tothe vehicle. This method reducesthe load on the winch rope andreduces the plow lift speed. Aslower lift speed provides bettercontrol of blade height andminimizes lifting plow up againstvehicle or stalling lift mechanism.

For single line rigging, routethe rope though the guide and tothe back of the plow basetubeassembly.

Plow lift

The plow lift is another methodfor lifting the plow. This device isspecifically designed to lift the plowblade and does not use a rope.The actuator has internal parts thatprevent it from extending due toplow weight. It also containsinternal switches that automaticallystop the device when fully extendedor retracted.


PLOW ACCESSORIES AND ENHANCEMENTSAlone the plow is an effective

tool, but when used with certainaccessories and enhancementsyour WARN plow can become evenmore versatile and productive. Inthis section we will review severalof these items. Contact your localdealer or visit www.warn.com topurchase your accessories.

Plastic Wear Bar an ultra highmolecular weight plastic bar thatreplaces the steel bar. This barprevents wear of the blade and willminimize plow scraping on concreteor brick surfaces.

Blade Side Wall controls run off ofmaterial as it is piled in front ofblade. The heavy duty steelconstruction will prevent materialfrom escaping and better allow youto move the material off to oneside.

Snow Control Flap is a flexiblerubber flap that bolts to the top ofthe plow blade. This accessorykeeps the snow (or light material)from flowing up over the blade,keeping the snow in front of theblade out of the operator’s vision.

Plow lift is another method forlifting the plow. This device isspecifically designed to lift the plowblade and does not use a rope.

Plow Lift Rope is a durable,synthetic rope that replaces thewinch rope. This rope stands up tothe repeated sharp angle pulls usedto lift a heavy plow blade. Use thisrope with the Plow Roller Fairleadfor maximum rope life.

Roller Fairlead for Plow Liftingdesigned for use with Warnwinches that raise and lower theplow blade. The larger diameterlower roller reduces wear of therope.

Power -Pivot replaces the pivotlatching system on the plow. Thisheavy duty electric device will pivotthe plow blade in either directionwith the push of a button. It ispowerful enough to rotate yourblade while plowing. Plow loads aretransmitted to the base though apawl system, protecting the 4 stageplanetary drivetrain. This accessorygreatly improves productivity.

Plow Markers clearly mark thecorners of your blade. Thesemarkers are flexible and two feethigh to improve plow visibility whenplowing close to objects in deepsnow.

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BEFORE YOU PLOWInstall the Plow

Make sure that the plow andvehicle are on flat, level surfacebefore attempting to attach theplow to the vehicle mount. Thevehicle engine should be off,transmission should be in parkand/or the parking brake set. Thefront wheels should be straight andthe plow blade pivot angle shouldbe set to the straight positionbefore installing the plow.

Debris such as rocks, dirt, andbranches can become lodged inthe plow mount while operating thevehicle without the plow. Inspectthe mount for any debris, damageand to make sure fasteners areproperly torqued before installingor using the plow.

The plow retaining pins aresecured to the mount by a bail.This bail can become damagedwith use. Inspect the bail to makesure that it locks firmly to themount. Remove the pin and bendthe bail wire as needed to insurethat it fits tightly to the mount.



Always inspect,rope, hook, andslings beforeoperating winch.Frayed, kinked ordamaged rope mustbe replacedimmediately.Damagedcomponents mustbe replaced beforeoperation. Protectparts from damage.

Always be sure thelatch lever handle isfully engaged beforeplowing. In someinstances it may benecessary to pushthe handle toengage it into theplow base. Failureto properly engagethe plow may resultin loss of vehiclecontrol which canlead to vehicledamage, personalinjury, or even death.

Mold Board PreparationThe mold board surface has a

nonstick material in the coatingfrom the factory. However, like allnonstick surfaces, this coating willwear out over time. A surfacemodifier such as wax or nonstickspray may be applied to the moldboard surface periodically toproduce the best material roll.


BEFORE YOU PLOWSetting Spring Tension

The spring brackets on theWARN plow have two specificallydesigned positions. The stiffsetting will position the bracket in alower position with the end ofspring closer to vehicle. The softersetting will position the bracketmore upright.

The stiff setting will producethe highest blade rollover force.Using the stiff spring position withthe most aggressive (forward)blade attack angle position willproduce the highest scrapingaction, useful for gravel drivewaymaintenance or plowing ice andsnow clean.

The softer spring setting willlower the blade rollover force andshould be used with lightervehicles and typically the mostaggressive (forward) blade attackangle.

Both spring brackets on theplow base will need to be rotatedand set to the same position. Usea 17mm wrench to loosen thelower M10 lock nut securing eachbracket. Use a 17mm wrench toremove the M10 lock nut andcarriage bolt near the top of thebracket. Insert a 3/8" drive ratchetor breaker bar into a squarebracket hole that will not be usedfor the bolt. Press the bracketdown to align the holes in bracketand base. Secure each bracketwith a M10 carriage bolt and locknut. Torque all M10 nuts to 42 N-m (31 ft-lbs).

Never remove thesprings and hardfixture the blade tothe plow base orvehicle. Doing sowill prevent theplow from tripping(rollover) during animpact with a low-lying object andpossibly damagethe plow, vehicle, oreject the rider fromthe vehicle causingserious injury ordeath.

Loosen M10 lock nut and carriage boltsecuring brackets.

Remove M10 nut and carriage bolt.Press bracket down to align holes in

bracket and base.

Secure each bracket with M10 carriagebolt and lock nut.



BEFORE YOU PLOWSetting Blade Attack Angle

Usually one angle setting willwork fine for most situations. Themost aggressive attack angle (topof blade tipped forward) isrecommended for use whenmoving sand and gravel. Thissetting will also produce betterscraping action on ice or hardpacksnow covered surfaces.

The middle attack anglesetting will provide a good allaround performance. This settingshould be used with heavy or wetsnow.

The least aggressive attackangle (blade tipped back) isrecommended for use with deepsnow. This setting allows the wearbar to slide under the snow andproduce the most blade downforce.

Both stop blocks on each sideof the plow base will need to berotated and set to the sameposition. Use a 17mm wrench toloosen the M10 nut. Release thespring tension by placing a 3/8"square drive ratchet into the springbracket, loosen the bracketadjustment bolts, and apply forceto the ratchet to relieve the upperadjustment bolt. Remove the boltand allow the spring tension to goto zero. Repeat on the other side.

Always wearheavy leathergloves whenhandling rope.Always followadjustmentprocedure. Doingso will minimizepotential for handinjury.

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Use a 17mm wrench to loosen theM10 nut securing each block. Pushthe top edge of the blade awayfrom the base until the block can berotated to the desired position.Secure each block with lock nutand torque it to 42 N-m (31 ft-lbs).Reset the spring tension as desiredand install, then tighten the springbracket bolts.


BEFORE YOU PLOWSetting Vehicle Height

For best plow performancethe plow platform and base mustbe parallel to the surface beingplowed. The vehicle height shouldbe adjusted prior to plowing to setthe plow in the correct position.This can be done by adjusting thevehicle spring settings, adjustingtire pressure, and adding orremoving weight from the vehicle.Be sure to include the weight ofthe driver on the vehicle whensetting up the machine.

WARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNINGVehicle weightbalance and stabilitycan be greatlychanged when aplow is attached andwhen the vehicle ispushing a loadedplow. With thischange, steeringand vehicle controlwill be different.Always operate thevehicle at a lowspeed with the bladeinstalled. Neverexceed 5 mph (8km/h), even withblade up. Use lowrange if vehicle isequipped.


PLOWINGEvery plowing situation is

different. Always plan aheadbefore you start. It is up to you toanalyze the situation and make thedecisions necessary for the properuse of your WARN products.Some key things to rememberwhen using your WARN plow:

√√√√√ Vehicle weight balance andstability can be greatlychanged when a plow isattached and when thevehicle is pushing a loadedplow. With this change,steering and vehicle controlwill be different.

√√√√√ 5 MPH (8 KPH) maximum.Keep your speed low andpay attention to how themachine is responding toyour control. The plow mayimpact unseen andimmovable objects, causinga sudden change in vehiclecontrol. Use low range and4WD if the vehicle is soequipped.

√√√√√ Keep bystanders away fromthe plowing route or path.Steering and vehicle controlare different when plowing,changing reaction time.

√√√√√ Wear proper safetyequipment. Carefullyreview your vehicle manualand labeling.

√√√√√ Inspect your equipmentbefore and after each use.Get it repaired if damaged.This applies to the plow,winch (if used) and vehicle.

√√√√√ Set your plow up for theconditions. Best perfor-mance is obtained with theright attack angle, springtension and pivot angle.Too much cutting action willslow or stop your progress.Too little may not get thejob done.

√√√√√ Never plow side hillssteeper than 10 degrees.

Step 1: PUT ON GLOVES &INSPECT YOUR EQUIPMENT

Look for loose hardware, worncomponents and inspect fordamage. Correct issues before youplow. Set blade pivot to straightposition.

Step 2: POSITION THE BLADEASSEMBLY AND VEHICLE

Carefully move the vehicle andplow assembly to a flat level areaand about 3’ (1m) apart. Slowlymove the vehicle towards themounting tabs of the tube assemblyuntil the push tube is between thefront tires.

Step 3: ENGAGE THE PLOWASSEMBLY TO THE VEHICLEMOUNT

Lift the push tube at mountingtab end and slide plow assembly onwear bar, seating the alignmentpilot disks into the mount cradle. Ifthe plow is on a loose surface, youmay need to work on one side andthen the other.

Step 4: INSTALL THE CONNECT-ING PINS AND LATCH THE PINBAIL

On each side, install theconnecting pin. You may need towiggle the push tube assembly toallow the pin to easily insert. If youfind difficulty, a tapered drift mayhelp align the holes.

Step 5: ATTACH THE LIFTDEVICE

If you are using a winch, putthe winch in freespool and pull out3 to 5 feet (1 to 2 meters) of wirerope. Route the rope through therope guide and attach the hook tothe cross member of the tubeassembly as shown. Close therope guide and insert the lockingpin. When using another type oflifting device, carefully review andfollow the instructions included withthat device.

PLOWING


WARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNINGNever operate theplow nearbystanders.Always operate thevehicle at a lowspeed with theblade installed.Never exceed 5mph (8 km/h), evenwith blade up. Uselow range if vehicleis equipped.Always plowcautiously, impactwith hidden orstationary objectmay cause thevehicle to stopsuddenly or go outof control.Always stay clearof moving parts andjoints. Always keepothers away whenoperating oradjusting plow.

Plowing Pattern

Step 6: CHECK THE LIFTDEVICE OPERATION

Lift and lower the plow. Notehow far you can lift without stallingthe lifting device or causing impactbetween the plow assembly andthe vehicle. Do not over lift theplow during use.

Step 7: SET THE BLADEATTACK ANGLE, SKID HEIGHT,AND BLADE PIVOT ANGLE

See the plow blade labelingfor tips on setting up the blade forthe job at hand. If the material isdeep, plow several thin layers at arelaxed attack angle, minimizingload on the plow and vehicle.Finish the job with an aggressiveattack angle to leave a cleansurface.

Step 8: PLAN YOUR ROUTEAND WORK SCOPE

Make sure you know what isunder the material you areplowing. Avoid impacting hiddenobjects. Be sure bystanders areaware of your activities and thatthey stay clear.

It is usually best to plow theouter edge of the area to becleared. To plow a driveway, startby plowing the shoulder first. Movethe material to either side of thedriveway. This will clear theshoulder and allow for the materialin the center to be thrown onto theshoulder or over the materialremoved from the shoulder.

Step 9: SUIT UP TO OPERATEYOUR VEHICLE

Follow all warnings and wearthe right safety equipment.

Step 10: WORK SMARTLY. KEEPUNDER CONTROL AND PLOWCAREFULLY

Plowing changes how a vehiclehandles (steering, stopping, andstability). Plow with care and do notrush. When you are done with yourjob, be sure to park the vehicle onflat level ground and set the brake(put in “park”) prior to removing theplow. Inspect and maintain yourequipment so that it is ready foryour next use.


MAINTENANCE/STORAGE AND FINAL COMMENTMaintenance

Inspect the plow before eachuse. The mold board surface willbecome scratched with use. It isrecommended to apply wax or anonstick spray to the surfacebefore plowing. This will preventthe snow from sticking to the bladeand provide the best material roll.

Inspect the blade wear bar.This steel or plastic bar on thebottom of the blade will need to bereplaced periodically over the life ofthe plow. The steel bar providesabout ¾” (19mm) of wear materialbefore requiring replacement.Some blades have a reversible barthat may be turned to double thelife of the bar. This bar must bereplaced before the retaining boltsand nuts begin to contact theground.

The blade hinge bushings willrequire lubrication periodically forthe best plow performance. Spraya light lubricating oil on both sidesof the center blade ribs just abovethe large hinge bolt. This lubrica-tion should run down the rib andinto the bushing area. For betterresults the blade retaining M16nuts and retaining washers shouldbe removed to allow lubrication tobe applied directly to the bushing.

The blade pivot bushing islocated in the center of the plowbase. Remove the plow from thevehicle and place the blade facedown so that the plow base andbushing are vertical. Spray a lightlubricating oil around the baseretaining plate and then rotate thetube assembly a few times to eitherside. Repeating this a few timeswill allow the oil to enter the pivotbushing area. The base retainingplate may need to be removed forcleaning and thorough lubrication ifthe pivot assembly does not turnsmoothly.

Inspect all fasteners to insurethat they are tight. The fastenerson your plow must be torquedperiodically to insure that they aretight. Torque the fasteners to thefollowing specifications:

- 13mm (M8) Bolts – 17 N-m (12ft-lb)

- 17mm (M10) Bolts – 42 N-m (31ft-lb)

- 24mm (M16) Bolts – 138 N-m(100 ft-lb)

StorageAlways clean off your plow by

spraying with fresh water beforestorage. This will minimizecorrosion from road salts or otherchemicals. Once the plow is cleanit should be removed from thevehicle. Spray pivots and bushingswith light lubricating oil and place instorage area. The storage areashould be clean and dry.

Always repair and lubricateprior to storage, making the plowready for your next use.

Final CommentThe Plow Operator’s Guide

cannot cover all the possiblesituations in which you may useyour plow. The decisions you makewill determine the final outcome.So think through each situationbefore you begin to move material.Read and understand all manuals,labels and tags. Always be mindfulof your own safety and the safety ofothers.

Documents

Plow Operator's Guide - Basic Guide to Plowing INDUSTRIES * BASIC GUIDE TO PLOWING 1 Plow Operator's Guide - Basic Guide to Plowing ... operator’s. Plow Tube Assembly