Home Garden

How to Troubleshoot a Problem With a Fisher Plow

The Fisher Homesteader Personal Plow is a hydraulically-operated snowplow designed for mounting on the bumper of pickup trucks or sport utility vehicles. It is appropriate for light residential use, removing moderate snowfalls from paved surfaces. Typical applications include plowing driveways, parking lots and other non-public traffic ways. The Homesteader features Fisher's "Minute Mount" system which facilitates plow-to-vehicle attachment with the insertion of just two mounting pins and one electrical connection. All additional plow functions are controlled from the interior of the vehicle with a wired remote.

Instructions

  1. No Power and/or Pump Motor Doesn't Run

    • 1

      Make sure the power is turned on at the plow remote control in the interior of the vehicle.

    • 2

      Unplug and reconnect both the plow control wiring harness and the lighting wiring harness.

    • 3

      Check the fuse in the vehicle control wiring harness, and replace if it is defective.

    Snow Plow Doesn't Lift or Lifts Partially

    • 4

      Check for excess weight on the plow. Remove accumulated snow and ice. Remove any aftermarket accessories, such as lights, that add significantly more weight to the plow.

    • 5

      Check the hydraulic fluid level in the pump reservoir. Add hydraulic fluid, if necessary.

    • 6

      Verify that the 12-volt battery in the vehicle is fully charged. Make sure the vehicle charging system is operating properly.

    Plow Doesn't Angle Properly

    • 7

      Check the hydraulic fluid level in the pump reservoir. Add hydraulic fluid, if necessary.

    • 8

      Perform the manufacturer's recommended annual hydraulic bleeding procedure, to remove air from the hydraulic pistons.

    • 9

      Verify that the 12-volt battery in the vehicle is fully charged. Make sure the vehicle charging system is operating properly.

    Plow Won't Lower or Lowers By Itself

    • 10

      Make sure the manufacturer's recommended hydraulic fluid is installed and that it is the correct grade for the present outside temperature.

    • 11

      Check the fuse in the vehicle control wiring harness, and replace if it is defective.

    • 12

      Tighten hydraulic fittings and hose connections. Look for any damaged components and consult the manufacturer for service.

    Leaking Hydraulic Fluid

    • 13

      Determine whether the fluid reservoir is overfilled.

    • 14

      Tighten hydraulic fittings and hose connections. Look for any damaged components and consult the manufacturer for service.

    • 15

      Evaluate the condition of O-rings and seals in the hydraulic system. If replacement is required, consult the manufacturer for service.

    Excessive Drain On Vehicle Electrical System

    • 16

      Make sure the manufacturer's recommended hydraulic fluid is installed and that it is the correct grade for the present outside temperature.

    • 17

      Verify that the 12-volt battery in the vehicle is fully charged. Make sure the vehicle charging system is operating properly.

    • 18

      Check the vehicle manufacturer's specifications for the vehicle electrical system, to determine if the system is adequate to accommodate the plow.

    Lights Not Operating or Lights Operating Erratically

    • 19

      Disconnect and reconnect the plow/vehicle lighting wiring harness to verify the connection.

    • 20

      Check for burned out bulbs, bulbs loose in sockets or corroded sockets.

    • 21

      Check for a defective fuse in the control harness, if the plow's parking/turn lamps are inoperative.

    • 22

      Check for a burned out headlamp or a defective fuse in the vehicle, if the vehicle headlamps are inoperative.