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I have seen quite a few Uni-mounts become disconnected from the truck,when ice or snow knock the hairpins off the lower hitch pins.
To prevent this form happening,I started using cotter pins,but they are a pain to cut off everytime you want to remove the plow.
A better solution is to get a set of aftermarket replacement hitch pins,that have two sets of hole drilled in them.These are universal to fit the older blades,which used the hairpins on the end of the pin,and the newer style,that have them in the middle,between the the mounting ears.You can then use the regular hairpins in the middle,and a linch pin on the end of the pin.The linch pins don't get pushed out,and the plow will not come off.
The linch pins are a tight fit between the end of the pin,and the lift frame mounting pins,but they will fit if you give the lift frame a shove over to one side when mounting.Don't fully open the linch pin,just start the pin in the hole,and open it enough to slide on.
One other thing i've noticed lately,is a lot of guys with Pro-plows having two nuts on the center pivot bolt,instead of the proper bushing.If you have a hidden nut inside the quadrant channel,you may want to remove it and replace it with the proper bushing.The bushing is Western part number 62444.The bolt should go through from the bottom,then the bushing drops into the quadrant from the top,followed by the nut.I will sometimes use a double nut here,so it doesn't come loose.
Don't crank the pivot bolt down too tight,as the plow needs to pivot from side to side to follow the contours of the ground.1 1/2 - 2" of movement at the ends of the plow is acceptable.It would be a good time to check the nose of the a-frame too,as they tend to wear out on the pivot end.They are very thin in this area.
Last but not least,check the mounting ears on the truckside mount.They tend to crack the welds,and the ears will start to bend down or tear off.It doesn't hurt to run a bead of weld on the inside of the ears (they are only welded on one side),and to add a small gusset plate on top.Don't make the plate to thick,or you will have a hard time getting the link arms in when hooking up the plow.
To prevent this form happening,I started using cotter pins,but they are a pain to cut off everytime you want to remove the plow.
A better solution is to get a set of aftermarket replacement hitch pins,that have two sets of hole drilled in them.These are universal to fit the older blades,which used the hairpins on the end of the pin,and the newer style,that have them in the middle,between the the mounting ears.You can then use the regular hairpins in the middle,and a linch pin on the end of the pin.The linch pins don't get pushed out,and the plow will not come off.
The linch pins are a tight fit between the end of the pin,and the lift frame mounting pins,but they will fit if you give the lift frame a shove over to one side when mounting.Don't fully open the linch pin,just start the pin in the hole,and open it enough to slide on.
One other thing i've noticed lately,is a lot of guys with Pro-plows having two nuts on the center pivot bolt,instead of the proper bushing.If you have a hidden nut inside the quadrant channel,you may want to remove it and replace it with the proper bushing.The bushing is Western part number 62444.The bolt should go through from the bottom,then the bushing drops into the quadrant from the top,followed by the nut.I will sometimes use a double nut here,so it doesn't come loose.
Don't crank the pivot bolt down too tight,as the plow needs to pivot from side to side to follow the contours of the ground.1 1/2 - 2" of movement at the ends of the plow is acceptable.It would be a good time to check the nose of the a-frame too,as they tend to wear out on the pivot end.They are very thin in this area.
Last but not least,check the mounting ears on the truckside mount.They tend to crack the welds,and the ears will start to bend down or tear off.It doesn't hurt to run a bead of weld on the inside of the ears (they are only welded on one side),and to add a small gusset plate on top.Don't make the plate to thick,or you will have a hard time getting the link arms in when hooking up the plow.