I have a 2014 grizzly 450 I use for plowing my driveway. My plowing rig is the warn provantage front mount. Last night, after I got done plowing, I noticed the frame members that the plow’s front mount bracket are attached to are starting to flatten where it meets the bracket (toward the lower part of bracket). They are not bent, just flattened. It looks as if the bottom of the bracket made an indent in the tube. The bottom U-bolts were also missing on one side and loose on the other. Top U-bolts are tight. It’s the same situation on both sides.
When I plow, sometimes the blade will catch on the ground (transition from pavement to grass) and trip the blade forward. This causes the machine to annoyingly jar and stop but I’m not going that fast when it happens and I would think the blade tripping would be enough safeguard from frame damage. Every time it happens I cringe and think about the forces transferring to the machine.
Anyone else notice this? Could it be from catching the ground? Too tight of U-bolts? I don’t remember this happening when I installed it. Should I worry? Is the blade tilted too far forward or rearward? I fear I may be damaging my frame. I feel like the "crushing" of the tubes have contributed to the loose / missing U-bolts… they could have vibrated loose but I’d think the upper bolts would have done this as well.
I just don’t want to continue plowing with it and risk it flattening that tube to the point of allowing it to bend.
Any help or insight would be great!
Thanks.
