Broken Wing Springs

[Pelican]

While plowing the last storm we had earlier in the month, I noticed the wings on my 810 were angling forward before they were extending as they normally would. I made a call to Jerre, and he suggested tightening the springs, which resemble trip springs, that retract the wings from the "Power Scoop" position. In attempting to do this, I discovered the springs had broken, allowing the wings to hang free.

Another call to Jerre got replacements on the way under warranty, it took about an hour to do both sides. Below are the broken springs.

[Pelican]

What I find interesting is how nearly identical the breaks in the two springs are. From the picture below you can see the similarity. In fact, the opposite side of either spring fits the broken counterpart nearly the same! I suspect there was something wrong with the temper of the spring wire to cause this.

Plowing conditions were -4° and 2" of dry powder. This part doesn't see any shock as it's only function is to retract the wing to paralel the moldboard from the "Power Scoop" position.

I was able to continue using the plow in it's full function, but I had to manually retract the wings by bumping the pump on "Retract" after extending the wings. I could only backblade with it in the 8' mode though because the wings would flop forward. I actually plowed an entire second event while waiting for the spriongs to arrive.

I don't consider this much more than an inconvenience, and it hasn't dampened my entusiasm for the plow. In fact, Jerre suggested doulbling up on the springs (the mounting points are already in place!) which I did at the time of the repair. The plow shined last night after we received 8" of snow and I finished my route with no problems and a 10' backblade.

[Crimedog]

Where are the springs at? If I remember, you upgraded to a new model, right? The reason I ask is because our wings have always folded forward when backdragging, even in lighter snow.

On edit: Our wings are still retracting like they should, so maybe they are supposed to fold a bit.

[JohnnyU]

Judging by the way they broke (almost identically) I would have to agree with you that there was some type of impurity in the metal used for the spring. I wonder if there was a bad batch altogether, or just a few here and there... Keep us updated if you hear anything like that from Jerre.

Glad to hear you got it fixed and back to full width.

and a 10' backblade.
Did you buy a backdrag blade as well?

[Pelican]

The springs are located inside the wing box, one per side. I also was experiencing some forward folding during heavy backdragging, that's been eliminated by adding a second set of springs. All the mounting points are in place, it's a simple bolt on upgrade.

[Pelican]

Sorry I didn't write it out too clearly, what I meant is I'm able to backblade with the 810 at 10' again vs. the 8' while the springs were broken.

[Crimedog]

Do you have to remove the wing? The reason I ask is because it is 20 below and I don't want to mess around too much. A pic would be nice. When your springs were broken, did your wings still snap back out of the scoop position?

[Lawngodfather]

Sweet got it fixed, I am still impressed after 3 powing events with mine.....

I am still having a fun time trying to see just how much snow I can push and how wide I can make my passes.

[Pelican]

Yes, the wing assembly must be removed to add the springs. You disconnect the two hydraulic hoses, pull the pin to the hydraullic cylinder and remove the two wing retaining pins on the back of the moldboard. Then you slide the wing assembly out of it's channel.

The springs can be installed without further disassembly with careful thought to your install steps. Install the eye bolt to the spring first, then feed the bolt into it's mounting hole as you install the spring in the wing slider box. You can then manipulate the spring to hook the free end in the eye provided for mounting. It takes a little patience but is not that hard to do.

[urethane dino]

Less than 1/2 a season on the new "updated" unit and it needs over 2 hrs of repair plus parts. Sounds like a quality unit to me.
NOT

[Lawngodfather]

Originally posted by urethane dino
Less than 1/2 a season on the new "updated" unit and it needs over 2 hrs of repair plus parts. Sounds like a quality unit to me.
NOT 1½ seasons, atleast keep you facts straight.

[urethane dino]

I believe that is anew udated unit replaced earlier this season. The orginal blizzard was traded for the updated plow. If I am wrong I apologize.
Dino

[snowplowjay]

Originally posted by urethane dino
Less than 1/2 a season on the new "updated" unit and it needs over 2 hrs of repair plus parts. Sounds like a quality unit to me.
NOT


Ive seen new Fishers with peeled off skins, new Meyers with popped welds and tweaked frames, and you too have seen the folded ez V Fishers, YET you insist on bashing BLIZZARDS time and time again.

The metals used to create springs such as those are soooooo TOUGH that they are BRITTLE. There are soo many factors involved, such as stress, strain, and temperature that shearing is not out of the question on any plow that uses a spring like that.

This abuse is getting a little rediculous. I feel a sense of dislike towards PARTIES that use the plow more than the plow itself.


I may be wrong but I get that sense.


Jay

[urethane dino]

Both sides, supplied by an outside vendor no doubt. Still bizzard should step up and pay for the repair. I am not bashing the product, I am just pointing out obvious problems. You all can stick your head in the sand and pretend that quality control issues dont exist, but I would rather see things clearly. I was very vocal about the fisher EZV issues, alot of other member over at PS were as well. I am an equal opportunity offender. I expect my equipment to perform, and if it doesnt I will be the first to scream. If some want to accept inferior quality as OK, that is fine with me, but I hold the equipment I own to a higher standard.

[BWhite]

Looks like the Blizzard Corp needs to seek a new spring vendor, or at least have the engineer look in a different catalog and find a spring that will have the metallurgical properties that will best suit the application . Would that addition of a second spring over tax the hydraulics to extend the wing?

[Pelican]

I've been trying to share my experiences with my plow, both good and bad with all so each individual contractor can weigh the pros and cons against his own operation and decide whether a Blizzard 810 would work to their advantage. I'd be much better off and subject to much less abuse if I kept my data to myself, but it's been my nature since a child to share knowlege with anyone who it might help.

I presented this from the beginning as a quality control issue which Blizzard is going to investigate. They've requested the failed springs to be returned for testing to learn why they failed.

I could easily have returned my plow to the local dealer for the repair (1 hour total, not 2, may I suggest Reading Comprehension 101?) but it clearly was not worth my time. Two round trips to the dealer and associated paperwork would have taken 2 hours or more, or wait at the dealers for the repair to be done. In my business, time is my most valuable commodity and I seek to waste as little of it as I can. This and this alone is why I made the repair myself, as I frequently do on small warranty issues with all equipment.

As for the springs, I owned a Western 8' ProPlow for nearly ten years, and before that a Meyers 7 1/2' blade. I kept two trip springs behind the seat of the truck due to the frequency of their breaking so I could make field repairs to continue plowing.

My new plow has about 70 hours of service on it and I've spent 1 hour repairing it. The production level of my truck is improved by 1/3 over my previous truck, meaning I've saved 35 hours time in the 70 hours of service this season, investing 1 hour of repair for a net gain of 34 hours of TIME!

Seems pretty clear to me whose head is in the sand....or maybe somewhere else?

[Lawngodfather]

Originally posted by Pelican
it took about an hour to do both sides.
I suggest Reading Comprehension 101

Come on Dino keep it straight.;) :D

No matter what plow, I am pretty sure they don't make the springs. Springs get used, they will break.

Anyhow....Back to Pelicans future updates

[Jerre Heyer]

I guess someone still needs reading lessons. The last sentance of the first post from pelican reads UNDER WARRANTY......

The second set of springs was a recommendation after much plowing and testing on my part. I've got well over 300 hrs on one of the "new" model 810's. Mines one of the prototypes that made it out to a few dealers the middle of last season.

I had the wing out for repair after a major crash with some frozen tundra with too much speed behind the wheel and added a second spring to that side to compare.

The difference was dramatic. Less tension on both springs retracted and works like a 10' straight blade untill you back drag against a bank or hit an obstruction and then they still move forward.

I guess I'll just have to go back to the shop and fix the busted Fisher a frame and the torn out meyer pivot point on the A frame and quadrant tommorow and hope my poor Blizzard doesn't fall into a heap of scrap metal the next time I'm cleaning my driveway.

P.S. Dino that was a nice bridge you showed the picts of at the SIMA show. I used the idea of lot's of Urethane overhang for a curb cleaning issue here. Now can you help with my driveway cleaning issue? 1800' of drifted in snow.

[mikegamb]

springs break!!!

my not even 2 season old western has snapped 3 springs.look even garage doors have springs and they snap all the time.

i mean gezz did i get all fired up the first time i snapped a spring...yeah i did,but did i rip the plow of the truck and go to another brand like meyer or fisher??? NOPE:rolleyes:

[Lazer Man]

I have a broken spring on one of my wings. Going to call my dealer today to get handled. I do have a question, didn't Blizzard start with 2 springs per side, what was the reasoning to go to one spring? I am going to add the second spring to each side for better back dragging and as was stated in an earlier post I believe will have less tension per spring by utilizing 2 springs.


Bob :grinz :grinz :grinz :burnout

[Ohiosnow]

It's his opinion & I understand part of what he's saying :) A new plow is not supposed to break, right??

Yes, the springs were under warranty but to save time Pelican fixed it his self instead of taking it to the dealer.

The second set of springs was a recommendation after much plowing and testing on my part.

I think what Dino is saying is WHY wasn't this found out before they start selling them. I know Blizzard is a New Company (4 or 5yrs ?) and still trying to perfect their plows but I myself don't like to be the test lab even if it's a better product & yes I'm old school. I would love to buy a BLIZZARD 810 but I'll wait a little longer for them to work out some of the little problems, & I'm sure they will. But for now I'll keep my 8'BOSS straight blade :burnout that has 3 seasons on it & not 1 break down.

[urethane dino]

I am sory for the way that I expressed my disdane for everything blizzard. I could use more tact that is for sure.
I did read the post by Steve, and I did read that the spring was covered by warranty, however his time wasnt, and that is what I questioned. As a show of good faith, the second set of springs could have been offered as compensation for the labor involved.
Jerre, not sure of the pics you mentioned. What SIMA show was that? IF it was the latest one in Buffalo, you must have me confused with someone else from MPT. I was not in attendance for the Buffalo show. You may be referring to Vince, I believe he has pics of a u edge on his personal tractor that has alot of overhang, much to much IMO. I certainly do agree or endorse 6"+ inches of u edge overhang. I do endorse 6"+ of snow tho.
I agree that most if not all plow manufactures have issues with out side vendors and even in house design issues. However its how they deal with them that counts. Now it sounds like Blizzard is a stand up company, much more so then Fisher is with the creasing issues. However the facts still remain that blizzard has changed ideas and designs almost every year. Why else would a person trade in a 1 yr old plow for the new "updated" unit. In fact John D waitied till Jerre found an updated unit before he bought it.
I have 6 yrs of pretty hard use on my current plow with no issues except maint. That is the standard that any new plow I buy will have to live up to. Now for me it seems blizzard plows have issues getting through just one season with out some sort of problem. Now for many that wont be an issue, however to me, and maybe the other 1% of end users, that type of performance isnt good enough. And that is fine, that is why we have a choice of plows to use. That may be why blizzard doesnt over produce their plow line, they know design changes will be likely, and they dont want to get stuck with outdated units.
That being said, we can share info and opinions without getting all puffy, again I apologize fo not being more tactfull. I understand fans of the plow being passionate, and will take that into consideration in the future.

[Lawngodfather]

Yeah Dino, I am passanite, I get to play with mine for the 4th time in 7 days, 6 events, in 7 days only 4 plowable.

Anyone want a Snowbear?

[phillyplowking1]

Screw a blizzard when you have a snowbear:jk

[John DiMartino]

Dino,the biggest reason i waited for this years plow wasnt reliability.It was simply speed. You know me i dont like slow trucks or plows.This years blizzard has a much larger pump,Jerre knows the details,but i think its about 2.5GPM as opposed to a 1.8 last yr(Jerre feel free to correct me if im wrong). That and the 4 less hoses the new ones have. My Western MVP is slow enough to aggravate me when using it,theres nothing wrong with it,but its about 1/2 the speed of the western unimount i had previous to it.,After having the Boss v on the Dodge ,a slow plow simply wasnt an option.this blizzard is a pleasure to operate the plow cycles quickly and all functions are fast and smooth.That was why i waited.
On the broken springs i have had no issues with my Blizzard so far.Its got about 75- hrs on it now.I did blow a headlight Hi beam i just noticed ,thats it. This plow has been better in every respect than the new fishers,westerns and boss I bought previous to this one. they all had a few littile things here and there.The Boss almost fell off the truck the 2nd time out,it was a good thing I seen the headlight moving around so much I would have lost the plow who knows where.If the Blizzard plow needs warranty repairs and they are minor i too wil likely handle them myself,if at all possible.