DIY Hitch Snow Plow

[jakewill]

Recently put this wood snow plow together after seeing a few examples on Youtube. Now just have to wait for that first real snow to hit to test it out!

Materials:

• 1 - 8ft 2x12, green treated - Shaved a 15 degree angle on the bottom edge
• 2 - 8ft 1x4, green treated - Shaved a 45 degree angle on bottom board to act as the blade. attached with 2'' screws every foot
• 1 - 8ft 2x6, green treated - Cut in half and cut 30 degree angle to account for the hitch and blade angles
• 1 - 4ft 4x4 - Cut to ~12'' to secure the blade using 4 bolts, and to the arms using 2 bolts
• Various small 1x4 pieces to help secure the blade and arms
• 8 - 8'' 1/2 inch bolts + washers and nylon lock nuts to secure wood pieces together
• 1 - 8'' 5/8 inch Grade 8 bolt + washers/nut for hitch attachment/swivel point.
• 1 - Cheap amazon 8 position ball mount trailer hitch
• Total cost around $100, could be less if you have some of these basic items laying around.

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[Captain]

Recently put this wood snow plow together after seeing a few examples on Youtube. Now just have to wait for that first real snow to hit to test it out!

Materials:

• 1 - 8ft 2x12, green treated - Shaved a 15 degree angle on the bottom edge
• 2 - 8ft 1x4, green treated - Shaved a 45 degree angle on bottom board to act as the blade. attached with 2'' screws every foot
• 1 - 8ft 2x6, green treated - Cut in half and cut 30 degree angle to account for the hitch and blade angles
• 1 - 4ft 4x4 - Cut to ~12'' to secure the blade using 4 bolts, and to the arms using 2 bolts
• Various small 1x4 pieces to help secure the blade and arms
• 8 - 8'' 1/2 inch bolts + washers and nylon lock nuts to secure wood pieces together
• 1 - 8'' 5/8 inch Grade 8 bolt + washers/nut for hitch attachment/swivel point.
• 1 - Cheap amazon 8 position ball mount trailer hitch
• Total cost around $100, could be less if you have some of these basic items laying around.

First meter, curb, iceberg you hit, that wood is going to splinter…. Maybe add a metal 8 inch saddle on the bottom… not too heavy, buy will take the grinding on the ground.

 

[jakewill]

First meter, curb, iceberg you hit, that wood is going to splinter…. Maybe add a metal 8 inch saddle on the bottom… not too heavy, buy will take the grinding on the ground.

Yeah, I'm sure it's not built for commercial use. Just pushing the snow on my very long/wide driveway to the end. Main obstacles are the basketball hoop, garage door, and trash cans. The snow blower struggles and I usually end up blowing snow to another part of the driveway 2 or 3 times before making it close enough to blow onto grass. Hoping that 10minutes with this gets the majority swept off.

 

[bbhaag]

Ok that's pretty cool. Good job man! I have a long driveway as well and if this works it would save me time and a back ache. Once the snow starts falling you have to let us know how well it works.

 

[Gray Goose]

The weak point is load transfer from the left and right edges (blue arrows). If the load is not balanced on both left and right, the torsion will cause racking at the either or both places indicated by the red arrows. The force will cause the bolts to bend/break, or the wood to split.

Pushing straight back with a light snow, it will likely work fine. Heavy snow or turning will generate problematic forces. Best of luck with it. Post pictures of how large a pile it was able to push.

 

[GPSMan]

The weak point is load transfer from the left and right edges (blue arrows). If the load is not balanced on both left and right, the torsion will cause racking at the either or both places indicated by the red arrows. The force will cause the bolts to bend/break, or the wood to split.

Pushing straight back with a light snow, it will likely work fine. Heavy snow or turning will generate problematic forces. Best of luck with it. Post pictures of how large a pile it was able to push.

THIS

you NEED to make it a triangle on the back

and by NEED I mean NEED to do it now.... before the first test drive

 

[Mikeetch]

Whats this snow you speak of?

 

[LSchicago]

Damn nice job, but.....

 

[bgn]

Sure hope you don't shear that hitch off or mess up the unibody.

 

[MaverickEVwouldBeNice]

As someone who plows with a tractor, I don't see this working too well. The plow on my tractor weighs several hundred pounds, which is what is needed to keep it on the ground as I am pushing the snow around.

I get so much snow, I have to plan for "snow parking". Areas to pile up the snow to make room for the next time it snows.

If you plan to push while driving backwards, wet snow will quickly accumulate and create an insurmountable wall.

Dry snow will allow you to push it further, but eventually you'll be in the same position.

Once you get some snow accumulated in front of the blade, it will push with an even force, but you only have one solid section being pushed by the attachment arm. The wood will break left and right of the attachment.

If you get any snow accumulations above a couple of inches at a time, the plow needs to be at an angel (not parallel to the rear bumper) so that it can slide away. Wood does not create a good surface for sliding snow.

I don't think that it will ever get that far, though.

It looks like your driveway is paved in concrete. The plow will get caught on the expansion grooves, and it being wood, probably break the first time you hit one. Don't go too fast, and you might be able to avoid puncturing your rear bumper or other important parts.

Best of luck to you in your future endeavors, though.

I would love to be proven wrong, there are things you can do to harden your plow. I just don't know if I would try it on your Maverick.

 

[Gray Goose]

Whats this snow you speak of?

Venture north my friend, if you dare.
Pack your snow emergency kit. (No, I'm not kidding)
https://abcnews.go.com/US/twin-cities-biggest-halloween-snowfall-30-years/story?id=104512590#

 

[jakewill]

Thanks for the advice, everyone! Will definitely keep it in mind for v2.0

Until I can test, here's the inspiration video. Lots of examples of you search 'wood hitch plow'

 

[GPSMan]

It's more of a rake than a plow now isn't it?

If you find it helpful, good for you!

 

[Gray Goose]

Thanks for the advice, everyone! Will definitely keep it in mind for v2.0

Until I can test, here's the inspiration video. Lots of examples of you search 'wood hitch plow'

It is a toy to play with I guess.
He has rebuilt it multiple times at the obvious weak points proving the laws of physics still apply.
The problem with reinforcing is the weak point will eventually be part of the Maverick as others have mentioned. Then it will be a very expensive repair.

 

[Bob The Builder]

Interesting. Most likely will work in Nebraska. Up here, not so much.

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