How to Raise a Western Plow

Western snow plow blades can be raised, lowered, angled left, angled right and locked in position with a control. Lowering the blade is often called "floating." The control, known as an Illa control, is lockable to prevent accidental lowering or movement in the blade. During the off-season you can remove the Illa lever and store it to provide more room in the cab. You can raise a Western-brand snow plow by following some specific steps.

Instructions

- 1
  Find the Illa control if you parked the vehicle during the off-season with the blade lowered and locked safely. It's likely in the glove compartment, which is where Western recommends storing it. Screw the lever into the control. The control is the gear-lever type box mounted to the floor of the cab with cross slots on the face. You'll see the Western logo on the faceplate label.
- 2
  Unlock the lock spool if it's locked. The lock spool is the ring on the Illa lever, just below the knob. Pull it up. Then pull the lever out of the cross slots adjacent to the Western logo on the box, and push it forwards and up, following the diagram on the label. As you push the lever forwards, the blade will rise. Move the lever all the way forward and up smoothly without stopping. Listen for the hydraulics moving the blade and only keep the lever pushed forward and up for no more than five seconds after the hydraulics stop.
- 3
  Return the Illa lever to the "neutral" center position; that's the position in the center of the cross slots. Push the lock spool down to lock the lever in the "neutral" position. This will prevent lowering the blade inadvertently.

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