Mounting a Plow on a Bigfoot

[Grizzley]

Good morning
I want to mount a home made plow to my Bigfoot
I need suggestions as how to mount it.
I spoke to a couple of dealers around here and so far, not impressed, they do not seem to know very much about the argo. They are more into 2 wheelers.
I was quoted $100 (Cdn) for the brackets that mount by the front wheels. That seems excessive. Last winter I bought cleats for my super tracks and they cost $120. Like on motorcycles, these guys are fast becoming known as stealers, not dealers.
I do have an original winch.
Can you tell me the best way to mount a 76" plow, pictures or videos would help.
Thanks,
JD

[derekhonda]

I can show you how I did it when I get home from work and onto my computer. $100 bucks for everything doesn't sound excessive to me, I think I paid a machine shop 60 bucks to cut and weld the pieces, and then had about 15 bucks in bolts and washers, so It is comparable atleast.

[Grizzley]

I'd love to see it
Thanks
JD

[derekhonda]

Havn't forgotten about ya, may be until this weekend when I get some free time kinda runnin around like a chicken without a head. I guess my first question to ask, is do you have the bearing extenders up front?

[Grizzley]

No, just the hub spacers to accommodate the super tracks.
The dealer told me all I had to do is use longer bolts to install the adapter plates. I could not find any literature on the Argo site for installation of the accessories.
Where do I find the how to install link or information.
I am struggling to find anything on the ODG site.
Grizz

[derekhonda]

Well Hmm, I'm only familiar with the bearing extenders (which may or may not be the same thing you are talking about) Anyways, in the mean time, Click on gallery at the top, and then type in "plow" in the search area. You will get several different pictures of how different members did it on this website. Mine is the yellow one a couple from the bottom, click on it and check out some different angles.

[Grizzley]

Thanks Derek
The pictures really helped
I saw one of a home made adapter plate and that will do just fine.
I've got 2 dealers out this way looking at the exact parts and procedure to get adapters on the Bigfoot. They do not know the machines.
We will git'er done before having to use it.
Thanks again
JD

[Cougar]

Thanks Derek
The pictures really helped
I saw one of a home made adapter plate and that will do just fine.
I've got 2 dealers out this way looking at the exact parts and procedure to get adapters on the Bigfoot. They do not know the machines.
We will git'er done before having to use it.
Thanks again
JD

Do you have bearing extenders on your Bigfoot? You might want to post a wanted ad on here and see if anyone has the parts you need. You might want to post where you live, there could be someone in your neck of the woods that has some parts or could tell you where to look. Hope this helps. Cougar

[Roger S]

Just about every argo but the vanguard had front extensions from the factory, certainly a bigfoot does.

[Cougar]

Just about every argo but the vanguard had front extensions from the factory, certainly a bigfoot does.

Hey Roger , I worked a deal out with John so his the new owner of the Conquest. Grizz I can send you some pics. of the mount that fix on them for the plows. Cougar

[Grizzley]

Welllll, I had to do some digging.
I did not get a manual with the Argo, but I remembered downloading one a couple years ago. Found it!! I looked at the diagrams concerning bearing extensions. I do have them, they are the old style (sn: BF10729) pn: 810-36
So, Roger, you are right, I do have them.
Cougar, yes, I would love to see pics.
The questions that come to mind are: I suppose the adapter plate has to attach using the 3 bolts at the front (or all 6?), so, do I need spacers to fill the gap and longer bolts totaling the spacer + plate thickness??
Thanks for all the feedback and info.
Grizz

[Roger S]

One thing I remember is the ones Derek had made had problems with tire sidewall clearance.. something to look at.

[derekhonda]

Yes I did, that was when I had the "shorty" version on. I wanted my mounts to not stick forward at all so that you could drop the plow in the garage and still run the argo in the winter time (when they stick forward, they dig in on hills) But, after welding another 4 inches to it it works just fine now. The problem with the shorty was the when you sitck the bolt through the plow frame and into the argo mounted bracket, the nut on the other side was sticking out right into the tire and any flex was sending the tire into the nut/bolt. By bringing it out those few extra inches, it clears the tire completely. I also stuck two washers between the rim and the hub on the front wheels just for extra breathing room.

[Grizzley]

Yes I did, that was when I had the "shorty" version on. I wanted my mounts to not stick forward at all so that you could drop the plow in the garage and still run the argo in the winter time (when they stick forward, they dig in on hills) But, after welding another 4 inches to it it works just fine now. The problem with the shorty was the when you sitck the bolt through the plow frame and into the argo mounted bracket, the nut on the other side was sticking out right into the tire and any flex was sending the tire into the nut/bolt. By bringing it out those few extra inches, it clears the tire completely. I also stuck two washers between the rim and the hub on the front wheels just for extra breathing room.

Derek, how many bolts to attach your plates? How long are they from the forward-most bolt on the bearing extension? How thick is the plate? And finally, did you use spacers to fill the difference between the plate and bolt cavity and use longer bolts?? Any pictures in the gallery?
Thanks,
Grizz

[derekhonda]

I used 6 bolts per side. Don't know the exact distance, I could measure later, maybe 4 or 5 inches forward (you can see them in the pic) Yes, Part of the machining cost was for 12 spaces, not sure of the exact thickness though. And I think they used .25" meteal along with a 3/4" piece of tubing welded on for extra support. I think I got bolts that were 3/4" or 1" longer than the original ones.