Some Problems

Kodiak450 · November 25, 2010

Yesterday I got the spreader out from the barn and put it on the truck, worked just fine. But I had my first problem with my Western plow after 4 years of owning. Not sure if the bolt that holds the retractable leg is bent, cause it wasn't able to lock the pin in after I drove into the plow. Am reluctant to order this $212.00 part, cause I was able later to lock it in, but I did notice locking pin is bent, but that has nothing to do with the alignment of this leg being off by a hair and thus hitting the frame and not engaging properly. Also noticed that one of my hoses as dry rot forming and needs replacement. So I'm gonna bring it to a professional Western dealer for a look over. IDK, something is not right with the way the DS engages, this has been a problem for me in the past and thought maybe it had something to do with my driveway havging a slope and the plow being at the lowest point and truck too high, however you can park this Western on uneven ground and it can level itself with its legs. There is a u shape peice of metal that fits in the frame of the quadrant that is hitting the outer part of the quadrant, and looks off by a hair. The legs, or shall I refer to them as the stands that support the plow to hold up and lock on, dont appear to look warped at all. And their costs is not exactly cheap. When I went to look at prices online, I even saw the optional wings that I have listed for a much higher price online, then I paid at a Western dealer which is odd. Even the entire plow itself was over $6k now. I paid a total of $57K that was with the optional wings too. You would think in a bad economy like it is today, stuff would be a little less. But for a plow that sits outside all year round and is exposed to weather, it has held up very well. It's too damn heavy to drag into a garage, idk, I never tried placing it down on dollys, but I firgured trying to hook up with it on dollys would present a challenge and very little room for error cause I do not have a paved driveway to roll blade out in the clear, and dolly wheels and gravel don't go well together.

Kodiak450 · December 7, 2010

Update: I had dropped off my truck with the plow and had it looked over and serviced since it was there and they didn't find anything wrong with the DS leg on the plow. The tech actually was amazed how meticulous I maintained the plow with not being stubborn on dielectric grease and lubing every bolt and nut. I did need to have a hose replaced as dry rot started occuring on it and needed a new locking pin which is not expensive. I guess my problem I had has to be where I park the plow and it being on flat ground and the truck being on a little slope, causing front end to be slightly higher where it catches the plow. I guess those Timbrens might be the cause seeing how I gained an inch in the front. I prefer parking the plow where it is cause it is some what sheilded cause of roof on my house.

929starr · December 8, 2010

maybe try a piece of plywood or something under the plow?..i left mine outside once and it sunk into my muddy/someone gravel turnaround then froze and it took about an hour in a snowstorm to get it hooked up so now i keep it inside all the time

Kodiak450 · December 8, 2010

maybe try a piece of plywood or something under the plow?..i left mine outside once and it sunk into my muddy/someone gravel turnaround then froze and it took about an hour in a snowstorm to get it hooked up so now i keep it inside all the time

If I wanted I could put it inside, but heres the problem. Both garages have gravel driveway, that means I would have very little room for error in connecting plow when time comes to drag it out, which would have to be on a dolly system. Unfortuneatly my garage door headers were designed for smaller vehicles. Only a suv can get through it or smaller. I can have it modified, but that is gonna cost me some money, including all new doors, ect. Then seeing how I have the gravel drive with the garage that has a maybe 4' wide concrete area in front of doors, leaves me little room to hook up. I was thinking of investing in one of the truck tents that are 8' tall and 10' wide. But that wont solve the under ground spring problem that runs rampant on my land during spring.

Western has the full float so I am able to depress the down directional button and free handly push the upper assembly so the legs can readjust. So if there ever was a wet ground issues where the legs sank, this would help. I just want to park the plow where it is, cause it is somewhat protected from roof. Not too excited about leaving a tarp on constantly, especially in humid weather.

sonjaab · December 8, 2010

Its best to drop the blade on a brick or a couple of 4x4s so it takes the pressure off the recievers and makes for a easier dismount backing away from the plow.

As far as your "leg" being bent and the lock pin not engaging.

The leg is a cheap POS that costs $242 without all the other

associated parts! It is prob. tweeked a bit and not too noticable and since the lock pin doesn't actually drive too far into the frame (quadrant?) to lock the leg into position. The pin should be longer IMO.

Thats why it wouldn't lock in till you moved the plow assembly

around a bit in the recievers when on the truck.

I had the same problem and the leg became unhooked and turned over and bent into a pretzel so keep your eyes peeled !!!!!!!!!!

I took the BFH and giant pry bar and bent it back into position but it wouldn't latch for a damn! So to finish my route and a temp. fix I used a giant C clamp to keep it in the locked position!

I about s*it when the dealer told me $242 for the BARE leg plus $25 for the new pin, spring and wedge and then swap over the old leveling shoe, leveling spring and handle parts.

I got lucky and scored a complete used one from Western1 at plowsite for $125 shipped !

Kodiak450 · December 8, 2010

That enitre part with pin is $212 (don't know if it inludes the bolt that mounts to quadrant) but thats inexpensive anyway. If the leg is not locked in, you can damage the assembly as the side that isn't locked in can move on you and the other side that is locked in will basically have to carry the load. Thats how I winded up bending the first locking pin, it must have not locked in properly and I noticed that the leg wasn't locked down and the locking pin bent a little. Yea those locking pins should be more simple of a design, maybe scrap the spring design and have a regular pin to slide in, with cotter pin to hold in place. (like what you see on a hitch assembly). They probably use that design so that it is quicker to get plow on/off. I could probably modify it to the locking pin set that used on a hitch buy drilling out holes in leg and using one of those pins with a cotter pin. If the hole was bigger, it would be easy to get locking pin in/out and in between leg housing is where you would insert the cotter pin to lock the bolt in. Just a matter of opening existing hole and drilling through the thick metal.

sonjaab · December 9, 2010

Better check that description of the "leg" and what it comes with for $212.

According to the Western parts book that is for a bare leg.

All addl. parts are extra.....................

But I am looking at a 10 yo book...................

One discount parts house shows one for $171.

http://www.plowpartsdirect.com/western-par...ssembly-ds.html

List $234

Kodiak450 · December 9, 2010

I think it was millsupply.com where I was looking at it for $212. They too said it list for $234 as well I believe. They showed all parts on illistration, the leg, spting for leg, entire casing, bolt, spring for bolt. I can't even imagine that part being so much to start with. It looks like it's worth about $40 tops imho. It's just metal and springs. I guess metal is really worth it's price in gold these days. They even offer the plow for more then I paid, online for $600 more! And thats doesn't include the wings, back drag edge, ect. I was shocked to see it being offered for $6k. If I break it down, I paid $52k for basica pro plus set up and install, $450 for the wings, or maybe ot was $500 something for the wings. And I got the back drag edge online for $89 shipped.

Also I usually don't order parts from actual retailer cause they always charge higher prices. I search around for better prices for exact same identicle part. I would think Western would charge more then say millsupply or other online plow part stores.

sonjaab · December 9, 2010

Those 2 places DO show the complete "leg" with the associated parts.

I can only assume that is for a description only. I guess a phone call would confirm if it is complete or not......................

$pendy yes !

Kodiak450 · December 10, 2010

In their parts diagrams, whatever is shown on the part you are looking at, is included with part. With the exception of the 4" or so bolt that connects leg to quadrant frame and nut, everything should be included.

You have the same plow as mine son, right?

sonjaab · December 11, 2010

Yes.........Same plow.................

Even the Western parts book shows the complete "leg" and

uses the same picture as those 2 parts houses.

BUT that is for description only as Western sells the bare leg only.

(Thats why I bought a used one!)

I guess a phone call will confirm....................

Kodiak450 · December 11, 2010

Yes.........Same plow.................

Even the Western parts book shows the complete "leg" and

uses the same picture as those 2 parts houses.

BUT that is for description only as Western sells the bare leg only.

(Thats why I bought a used one!)

I guess a phone call will confirm....................

I remember reading years ago on mill supply, that what is illustrated in diagram was included with the part. If you follow the part diagram, each part has a number and illustration of the part. But yes, a phone call would confirm or email to them. There was another plow parts site I used in the past which I have saved on my book marks under older desktop which no longer powers up. Maybe one day I will find the name again, they had lower prices then the rest of the sites.