2011 Ranger 4X4 for plowing

[97RangerXLT]

When you work stuff it is easy to pick up on.

"happy" probably comes across as it is doing whatever you want to do well without seeming like it is working hard.

Especially with farm equipment, most of the personality is in the governor.

And never show it fear or uncertainty or let it know you are in a hurry. they can sense that and once they have, your field is not going to be plowed due to a break down that has no readily available part or it just plain won't start or run until after the dire need for the task has passed.

"I really really hope the Ranger starts today!" *gets in Ranger, turns key* >click<. nothing else.

Need to get this field plowed asap! *gronk* wheel bearing that was working just fine 30 seconds ago just seized up and it is 4:58pm and all the parts stores close at 5

AJ

 

[Dirtman]

That's it! All of you get in my basement for psychological evaluations!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Need to get this field plowed asap! *gronk* wheel bearing that was working just fine 30 seconds ago just seized up and it is 4:58pm and all the parts stores close at 5

AJ

Yep, I have a dead horse in my field right now, totally exploded a hydraulic cylinder on a disk saturday. Like multiple pieces and oil everywhere. Luckily it rained all yesterday and the weatherunderground thing on my phone has chances of rain for the rest of the extended forecast so even if I got it back together I would tear up the field getting it out. Luckliy the other tractor/disk hung in there and we got it finished... it can just sit out there and think about what it did until it dries up.

 

[Roert42]

And never show it fear or uncertainty or let it know you are in a hurry. they can sense that and once they have, your field is not going to be plowed due to a break down that has no readily available part or it just plain won't start or run until after the dire need for the task has passed.

"I really really hope the Ranger starts today!" *gets in Ranger, turns key* >click<. nothing else.

Need to get this field plowed asap! *gronk* wheel bearing that was working just fine 30 seconds ago just seized up and it is 4:58pm and all the parts stores close at 5

AJ

In every language that has feminine and masculine versions of words, the word for machine is feminine.

I’ll just leave that tidbit for everybody to ponder.

 

[RonD]

I have used this truck for plowing 4 seasons now, it works great getting around the small lots and driveways I have to clear. Seems like pushing heavy snow is hard on the front end. Does anyone know of a steering upgrade that can help keep this ranger maneuvering around the snow piles.

Rangers are built to have about 2,200lbs on the front axle, you are running at least 3,500lbs when plowing
You will wear out lower ball joints pretty fast, change both upper and lower ball joints to the ones that are greasable, have zerk fitting, an use them
Same for tie rod ends when needed
"lifetime" parts are no good for this use, lol

Bottom line is the front end parts were not engineered for the extra weight, so up your fees to reflect the wear and tear
Outside of teenagers, plowing is about the worst for wear and tear on any vehicle

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Did later Rangers have a plow prep package?

I know first gens did, included air bladders in the front springs.

 

[sgtsandman]

Did later Rangers have a plow prep package?

I know first gens did, included air bladders in the front springs.

Not that I'm aware of. Though, there are some pretty heavy duty tabs hanging down on the front of the frame that probably are meant for mounting a plow to on my 2011.

 

[sgtsandman]

When you work stuff it is easy to pick up on.

"happy" probably comes across as it is doing whatever you want to do well without seeming like it is working hard.

Especially with farm equipment, most of the personality is in the governor.

 

[scotts90ranger]

The air shocks from a second gen Explorer would probably help up front... but yeah, all moving parts are probably going to wear out quick...

Isn't the front suspension on the second gen explorers the same as similar Rangers? If so, the 5.0L Explorers seem to do ok, and the two of mine are 5000lb pigs... but then again my '00 makes some odd creaky chunky noises up front (with the T case in neutral), eventually something will rear it's ugly head but I don't give a rats behind... at some point all that junk will be torched out...

 

[bobbywalter]

A bone stock ttb ranger or bronco 2....with a manual.


Set of bags and pound the shit out if it. Ridiculously easy to maintain ...d28 u joints have lower life then 35....but...with stockish tires the bearing hold up ok...just keep an eye on them.

The sla trucks are not bad.


My truck with a plow unloads the front as it loads...but was with a improper setup.


B2 is fun to plow with

 

[Dirtman]

B2 is fun to plow with

I disagree.

One of my friends in college had a 7' plow on his b2. One night on the way back from a beer and burger king run he decided to hit the railroad tracks at about 45mph while the plow was on the front. The bump shot the front end up so hard that the plow detached from the chain and dropped like an anchor. The truck went from 45 to zero in about one nanosecond. The front end folded like paper and the truck almost flipped. After stumbling around in a daze we managed to get the truck to the ditch and just left it there to deal with later. The three of us had to walk home in the snow, all probably suffering from internal bleeding but we had a case of beer and a bag of cheeseburgers so we didn't care. When we got the truck the next afternoon and saw the damage in daylight we were astonished we weren't dead. No part of the front of that track including the plow was remotely salvageable.

 

[bobbywalter]

I disagree.

One of my friends in college had a 7' plow on his b2. One night on the way back from a beer and burger king run he decided to hit the railroad tracks at about 45mph while the plow was on the front. The bump shot the front end up so hard that the plow detached from the chain and dropped like an anchor. The truck went from 45 to zero in about one nanosecond. The front end folded like paper and the truck almost flipped. After stumbling around in a daze we managed to get the truck to the ditch and just left it there to deal with later. The three of us had to walk home in the snow, all probably suffering from internal bleeding but we had a case of beer and a bag of cheeseburgers so we didn't care. When we got the truck the next afternoon and saw the damage in daylight we were astonished we weren't dead. No part of the front of that track including the plow was remotely salvageable.

That is not plowing.

It is a reckless act of stupidity...and I also specialized in that. It is how my ranger got to where it is now.

A fullsize truck with a high end plow would suffer the same.


Even with the turd 28.....in stock form....a 1st gen rbv is as tough as it gets ... especially for jumping.


The desert racing done with the rbv....is rather clear....though mainly 2wd....the chassis is a beast.


A b2 is for sure a tumble weed...and to be respected for those limitations.....for plowing...it is awesome.