Plow lift and down pressure control mechanisms, systems, and methods

Abstract

A low cost plow lift and down pressure system comprising a lift frame having a lift end and a mount end for securing to a plow vehicle. A push frame is pivotably coupled between a plow and the lift frame. A lever beam articulates with a lift end of the lift frame between a rear end and a forward end of the lever beam. The lever beam is able to perform a first function from the forward end and a second function from the rear end. An actuator, typically in the form of a hydraulic cylinder, is pivotably coupled at a forward end of the lever beam and an opposed end of the actuator is pivotably coupled to the lift frame. Activation of the actuator results in activating at least two functions of the system.

1 ) A plow lift system comprising:
 a lift frame;   said lift frame comprising a mount end for securing to a front end of a plow vehicle;   said lift frame comprising a lift end opposing said mount end;   said lift end positioned superiorly of said mount end;   a lever beam;   said lever beam pivotably coupled with said lift end of said lift frame between a rear end and a forward end of said lever beam;   a plow for pushing natural materials;   a push frame;   said push frame pivotably coupled between said plow and said lift frame;   an actuator;   one end of said actuators pivotably fixed to a forward end of said lever beam;   an opposed end of said actuator pivotably fixed to said lift frame;   said actuator actively extends and retracts;   wherein activation of said actuator results in activating two functions.   
     
     
         2 ) The plow lift system of  claim 1  wherein a rear end of said lever beam functions to impart down pressure on the plow. 
     
     
         3 ) The plow lift system of  claim 1  wherein said two functions include lowering a plow and imparting down pressure on the plow. 
     
     
         4 ) The plow lift system of  claim 1  wherein said forward end of said lever beam lifts a plow and said rear end of said lever beam imparts a down force on an associated plow blade. 
     
     
         5 ) The plow lift system of  claim 1  wherein said forward end of said lever beam lifts a plow and said rear end of said lever beam actuates an adjustable length jack used to steady the plow when the plow is detached from the vehicle. 
     
     
         6 ) The plow lift system of  claim 1  wherein a forward end of said lever beam is used to lift a plow and a rear end of said lever beam is used to selectively create one or more of the following; apply a down force on the plow blade and as a jack to support the plow lift system. 
     
     
         7 ) A plow lift system comprising:
 a lift frame;   said lift frame comprising a mount end for securing to a front end of a plow vehicle;   said lift frame comprising a lift end opposing said mount end;   said lift end positioned superiorly of said mount end;   a lever beam;   said lever beam pivotably coupled with said lift end of said lift frame between a rear end and a forward end of said lever beam;   a plow for pushing natural materials;   a push frame;   said push frame pivotably coupled between said plow and said lift frame;   an actuator;   one end of said actuator pivotably fixed to a forward end of said lever beam;   an opposed end of said actuator pivotably fixed to said lift frame;   said actuator actively extending and retracting;   wherein activation of said actuator results consequent activation of a first function from a forward end of a lever beam and a second function from a rear end of a lever beam.   
     
     
         8 ) The plow lift system of  claim 7  wherein a forward end of said lever beam is utilized to lift a plow and a rear end of said lever beam is coupled to a plow down pressure device. 
     
     
         9 ) The plow lift system of  claim 7  wherein a forward end of said lever beam is utilized to lift a plow and a rear end of said lever beam is utilized to control an adjustable length jack stand. 
     
     
         10 ) The plow lift system of  claim 9  wherein said adjustable length jack stand comprises and upper beam and a lower beam and a releasable interlock for locking said upper beam and a lower beam in a discrete length relationship. 
     
     
         11 ) The plow lift system of  claim 9  further comprising a foot on an inferior end of said lower beam and a jack spring wherein said jackspring biases said lower beam upwards. 
     
     
         12 ) The plow lift system of  claim 9  wherein said adjustable length jack stand further comprises a telescopically coupled upper beam and lower beam. 
     
     
         13 ) The plow lift system of  claim 11  further comprising a foot wherein foot pressure on said foot by a user overcomes the biasing force. 
     
     
         14 ) A method of operating a plow with a down pressure system comprising the following steps:
 coupling a lift frame of a plow to a plow vehicle;   pivotably coupling a lift end of a lift frame between a forward end and a rear end of a lever beam;   coupling a lift tension line between the forward end of the lever beam and a plow;   coupling a down pressure tension line to a rear end of the lever beam and down pressure arm;   activating a controller causing a hydraulic pump to activate a first hydraulic cylinder into forced retraction to cause consequent downward rotation of a forward end of the lever beam and upward rotation of the rear end of the lever beam;   wherein the lift tension line lowers the plow and the down pressure tension line effectuates plow down pressure.   
     
     
         15 ) The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of the down pressure tension line forcing a down pressure arm against a push frame that is pivotably coupling a lift frame to a plow. 
     
     
         16 ) The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of the down pressure tension line forcing a down pressure arm to load a spring tension against a push frame that is pivotably coupling a lift frame to a plow. 
     
     
         17 ) The method of  claim 14  further comprising the steps:
 activating a controller causing a hydraulic pump to activate a first hydraulic cylinder into forced extension to cause consequent upward rotation of a forward end of the lever beam and downward rotation of the rear end of the lever beam; 
 and wherein the lift tension line lifts the plow and the down pressure tension line releases down pressure on the plow.