jwkawi, just wonder why you say they suck...??

munzzzzzz(didn't count the z's[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img])

Your skids should be set at a point above the ground. They need to be set at about a 1/2 inch below the plow (not the bolted on cutting edge) They are meant to be indicators that the cutting edge is getting worn down to the point that you are in danger of eating into the metal of the actual plow blade (mould board).

This is how I have always set my skids up. In other words, when they are leaving marks on the ground then you need to check the cutting edge.

This is why I wonder what jwkawi means when he says they suck...because they don't do anything but hang on the plow until the blade gets worn down. Then they do their job and warn you that you better change up your IRON lest you eat into your plow.

I hope I explained this well enough. The 3rd post on this thread also explains my set up.

 

because when i backed up after plowing a load of snow, my skid got hung up on a big chunk of ice and bent to s#@!. i had to stop plowing and bust out the tools just to get it off of the blade. i dont think i need them anyway. i get much better scraping when i set them all the way up. i can see when the edge gets down too low. those damn skids dont do anything but get in the way and cost me 50 plus $. that, in a nutshell is why they suck. but plowing with a quad is much fun!!

 

memento...sounds like you guys are getting hit big again with the white stuff!!!!

LUCKY YOU!!!!!!!!!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img]

 

you're not kidding. we got 24" and counting since midnight last night. oh what fun. made some $ plowing too. nothing beats a good blizzard.

 

The skids are NOT wear indicators. They should be set about 1/4" to 1/2' HIGHER then the plow blade with the blade sitting on a level surface.( so when sitting on level pavement with the blade down the skids should not be in contact with the ground). The skids are part of the safety trip of the plow. Should the plow begin to dig into soft ground, or contact an obstruction the plow springs will begin to trip. This in turn 'lowers' the skids to the pavement where they will then prevent A) the plow from diggin in and further and B) will allow the plow to 'trip' even further until the obstruction is cleared. Some guy will run the skids lower then the blade because they think they will save wear on the blade. While this is true to a point what ends up happening is that you wear out the skids faster, and as some have noted.. you leave a layer of snow or 'tracks' where you have plowed.

 

Thud...while I am not going to totally disagree with you...I am going to disagree never the less.

What I have found when dealing with the skids or shoes set the way you prescribe two things occur.
1. They get bent and damage occurs (like jwkawi's)
2. You are always adjusting the stupid things

Now I plow on hard surfaces generally speaking and as far as digging in to asphalt or concrete it just is not happening. So I set the skids and use them as INDICATORS. They do me no good any other way.
If you plow on gravel or on a softer surface, my advice would be to raise your plow just a TOUCH to take up some weight. You will be less likely to dig in. Also, if you are plow on this type of surface take it a tad slower if you are worried about digging in.

I have a link to another forum that you might find interesting...
SKIDS

SKIDS 2
In my opinion, they better serve as indicators then any thing else!!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

One reason to have the skids set slightly below the plow blade cutting edge would be when plowing where there are manhole covers, water shutoffs, etc. that are set a little higher than they should be (sticking up above the pavement). This way you don't catch them when plowing. Other than that, to me, the skids should be set above the cutting edge just to keep you from wearing through the blade itself. I guess it's also a matter of preference.

 

LOL.. Your more then welcome to disagree with me but you're just gonna have to trust me on this one. Ive made my living the last 8 years plowing snow on Provincial highways here in Ontario. The shoes , on commercial trucks anyway, are intended to be part of the plow trip system. In all fairness theres a difference between plowing snow at 35mph with a 9ft blade on highways, and plowing snow on a driveway at 5pmh and a 60inch blade, but I beleive the trip systems are designed to operate in similar ways. From the links you sent it appears most appear to prefer to run without the shoes at all though.... so I guess its just a matter of personal preference but if I was doing it I would set them as they are designed to be run, that is.. slightly higher then the plow blade.

 

LOL......I have been involved in plowing for the past 20 years myself.

<u>So your're welcome to disagree with me</u>...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]...heh heh.

You have me extremely curious and puzzled. What type of plow are you using that uses the "skids or shoes" as an intregral part of the trip system. We have several plows mounted on loaders, tandem dump trucks, and pick-ups. Donnel, Falls, Fisher, Boss, Western, and Meyers. I have yet to see one that uses the skids in this way. What part do the skids play in the system????

If you could, would you point me to a manufacture web site that I could see the system with my very own eyes????[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Its a one-way plow and wing set up manufactured by Viking Cives, they have a plant here in ontario, as well as one in NY and i believe Minn. Its supposed to snow tonight so Ill see if I can get some digi-cam pics for ya. Im reasonable sure its the smad style of plow thats used all around North America..