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October 15, 2019

Lit. No. 72451, Rev. 03

This manual supersedes all editions with an earlier date.

DEFENDER™ Compact Plow

Owner's Manual 

Original Instructions

  A DIVISION OF DOUGLAS DYNAMICS, LLC

 CAUTION

Read this document before operating or 

servicing snowplow.

Western Products, PO Box 245038, Milwaukee, WI  53224‑9538 • www.westernplows.com

Summary of Contents for DEFENDER

Page 1: ...editions with an earlier date DEFENDER Compact Plow Owner s Manual Original Instructions A DIVISION OF DOUGLAS DYNAMICS LLC CAUTION Read this document before operating or servicing snowplow Western Products PO Box 245038 Milwaukee WI 53224 9538 www westernplows com ...

Page 2: ......

Page 3: ...s ______________________________________________________________________________ Vehicle Model Year __________________________________________________________________________ Snowplow Model Year ________________________________________________________________________ Snowplow Type Size _______________________________________________ Weight _______________ lb kg Ballast No____ Yes____ Amount ______...

Page 4: ...Lit No 72451 Rev 03 4 October 15 2019 ...

Page 5: ...Control 15 SECURITY GUARD System 17 Smooth Stop 19 One Touch Float 19 Blade Positions 20 Snowplow Headlamp Check 20 Blade Drop Speed Adjustment 21 Transporting the Snowplow 21 Driving and Plowing on Snow and Ice 22 Plowing Snow 22 Parking with Snowplow Attached 24 Towing a Disabled or Stuck Vehicle 24 Checking Hydraulic Fluid Level 24 DETACHING SNOWPLOW FROM VEHICLE 25 MAINTENANCE 26 Maintenance V...

Page 6: ...ehicle is equipped with our recommended options for plowing snow This will help ensure trouble free operation of your snowplow Keep this manual accessible It is a handy reference in case minor service is required PREFACE When service is necessary bring your snowplow to your local outlet They know your snowplow best and are interested in your complete satisfaction The illustrations found in this ma...

Page 7: ...NING CAUTION AND INSTRUCTION LABELS Become familiar with and inform users about the warning caution serial number and instruction labels on the back of the blade NOTE If labels are missing or cannot be read see your sales outlet WARNING Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that if not avoided could result in death or serious personal injury Warning Caution Label Serial Number Label Serial N...

Page 8: ...efore installing operating or making adjustments WARNING Lower the blade when the vehicle is parked Temperature changes could change hydraulic pressure causing the blade to drop unexpectedly or damaging hydraulic components Failure to do this could result in serious personal injury WARNING Remove blade assembly before placing vehicle on hoist WARNING The driver shall keep bystanders clear of the b...

Page 9: ...se gasoline to clean parts Store only in approved containers away from sources of heat or flame CELL PHONES A driver s first responsibility is the safe operation of the vehicle The most important thing you can do to prevent a crash is to avoid distractions and pay attention to the surroundings Wait until it is safe to operate Mobile Communication Equipment such as cell phones text messaging device...

Page 10: ...lable capacity decreases as the vehicle is loaded with cargo or other truck equipment or snowplow accessories are installed If there is uncertainty as to whether available capacity exists the actual vehicle as configured must be weighed BALLAST REQUIREMENTS Ballast additional weight is an important part of qualifying vehicles for snowplow eligibility Rear ballast must be used when necessary to rem...

Page 11: ...en the electrical plugs are connected the vehicle headlamps will automatically switch to the snowplow headlamps when they are turned ON When the electrical plugs are disconnected the headlamps will automatically switch to vehicle headlamps when they are turned ON Replacement parts are available through your local WESTERN outlet NIGHTHAWK Snowplow Headlamps The NIGHTHAWK snowplow headlamps consist ...

Page 12: ...ump Relief Valve 4000 psi Angle Relief 3 0 dia 2 8 kW Motor 1 39 hp 0 000476 gal rev Pump Hydraulic Hose SAE 100R1 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR SNOWPLOW CAB CONTROLS The controls are electrically powered through the ignition key switch of your vehicle and are protected by a replaceable in line fuse The ON OFF switch allows you to turn OFF the control and prevent blade movement even when the ignition is ON...

Page 13: ...nsure ease of attach detach 1 Verify that both connecting pins are pulled out and locked into the receiver notch 2 Slowly drive the vehicle forward to engage the rear receiver pins completely into the headgear slots Apply the vehicle parking brake 3 Rotate and unlock the connecting pins on the receivers WARNING Inspect snowplow components and fasteners for wear or damage whenever attaching or deta...

Page 14: ...OFF after being idle for 20 minutes To reactivate the control after a shutdown press the ON OFF button Hand Held Control Functions Raise Lower Float Angle The four diamond shaped buttons in the center of the control face when pressed will result in the blade movements described in the following table Function Description of Operation RAISE Press this button to raise the blade and cancel the FLOAT ...

Page 15: ...unction times out before the desired blade movement is complete release the lever to the center position then move it back into the desired function Optional Control Features The control ships from the factory with the Smooth Stop feature enabled and the One Touch FLOAT feature disabled To change these default settings see Smooth Stop and One Touch FLOAT later in this section of the Owner s Manual...

Page 16: ...ft corner of the control face will illuminate The blade will lower to the ground surface and follow the contour of the surface as it dips or rises This function does not time out but the control will shut down after 20 minutes of nonuse Move the lever to the RAISE position momentarily to cancel FLOAT Angling left or right will not interrupt pause the FLOAT function L Angle Left Move the control le...

Page 17: ... entered your 4 digit security code the FLOAT light will stop flashing and the power indicator light will turn OFF This indicates that your 4 digit security code is entered and stored in the SECURITY GUARD system NOTE If the control is turned ON prior to completing the programming procedure your 4 digit security code will be cancelled Once a 4 digit security code is established the SECURITY GUARD ...

Page 18: ...rity code was cleared NOTE To enter a new 4 digit security code see Activation Establishing a 4 Digit Security Code Light Flash Indicators POWER Red Function OFF Control is OFF Solid ON Control is ON and active Slow Flash No communication Fast Flash Snowplow is locked enter 4 digit security code to unlock FLOAT Green Function Solid ON FLOAT function is active Fast Flash Security code activation in...

Page 19: ...will flash indicating the status of the feature Light Flash Indicators Light Description POWER Red Solid ON Control is ON FLOAT Green 1 Flash Smooth stop enabled 2 Flashes Smooth stop disabled ONE TOUCH FLOAT One touch FLOAT immediately activates the FLOAT mode and releases the blade to the ground without having to hold the button or lever in LOWER This can improve transition time when backing up ...

Page 20: ...ehicle and snowplow lamps should be ON Left Turn Signal Both vehicle and snowplow lamps should be ON Connecting and disconnecting the electrical plugs should switch between the vehicle and snowplow headlamps as follows Electrical plugs DISCONNECTED Vehicle headlamps function normally Electrical plugs CONNECTED Vehicle headlamp functions transfer to the snowplow headlamps On some DRL systems both t...

Page 21: ...he vehicle headlamp beams Do not change blade position while traveling You could suddenly lower the blade accidentally CAUTION Transport speed should not exceed 45 mph 72 km h BLADE DROP SPEED ADJUSTMENT The quill in the front of the valve manifold adjusts the blade drop speed NOTE The blade will not drop when quill is fully tightened clockwise Turn OFF the plow control turn the quill 1 8 turn out...

Page 22: ...ached General Instructions 1 Before plowing make sure that you know of any obstructions hidden beneath the snow such as curbs sidewalk shrubs fences or pipes sticking up from the ground If you are unfamiliar with the area to be plowed have someone familiar with the area point out obstacles 2 If possible and when you have good visibility plow during the storm rather than letting snow accumulate 3 D...

Page 23: ...the driveway by rolling the snow away from buildings 2 If a building is at the end of the driveway plow to within a vehicle length of the building Push as much snow as possible off the driveway 3 With a raised blade drive through the remaining snow to the building Drop the blade and back drag snow away from the building at least one vehicle length Repeat if necessary 4 Back the vehicle to the buil...

Page 24: ...the Maintenance section of this manual OPERATING YOUR SNOWPLOW CAUTION Do not mix different types of hydraulic fluid Some fluids are not compatible and may cause performance problems and product damage Breather Fill Plug Reservoir PARKING WITH SNOWPLOW ATTACHED Whenever you park your vehicle completely lower the blade to the ground TOWING A DISABLED OR STUCK VEHICLE Do not use any snowplow compone...

Page 25: ...e stand drop to the ground Release the stand lock pin Verify that the stand is locked by trying to lift the stand 4 Pull both connecting pins outward and rotate to lock into the receiver notches 5 Back the vehicle away from the snowplow WARNING Keep 8 clear of the blade when it is being raised lowered or angled Do not stand between vehicle and blade or directly in front of the blade If the blade h...

Page 26: ...parked Keep 8 clear of the blade Temperature changes could change hydraulic pressure causing the blade to drop unexpectedly or damaging hydraulic components Failure to do this can result in serious personal injury Ballast may be necessary or beneficial on some vehicles to provide maximum traction braking and handling Any ballast material such as sand and blocks must be solidly secured to the vehic...

Page 27: ...on label c Check springs for sag or broken leaves d Check the functioning of any automatic vehicle leveling systems and specific manufacturer s instructions pertaining to vehicle preparation for headlamp aiming e Clean the headlamp lenses f Check for bulb burnout and proper beam switching g Stabilize the vehicle suspension by rocking the vehicle sideways 2 Mark or tape the vertical centerline of t...

Page 28: ...move the cover from the fuse holder located near the Y port of the headlamp control module installed in the vehicle engine compartment Remove the jumper fuse from the fuse holder and re insert it in the desired mode position as shown below Replace the fuse holder cover HEADLAMP CONTROL MODULE Fuse Holder and Cover Headlamp Control Module Default ON Blade edge lights illuminate when plow has power ...

Page 29: ...rm this operation with the snowplow attached to the vehicle Park the vehicle on a hard level surface 2 Lower the blade to the ground Turn the control OFF 3 Remove the fill plug NOTE Remove fill plug slowly to relieve any pressure in reservoir CAUTION Change the fluid at the beginning of each plowing season Failure to do this could result in condensation buildup during the non plowing season CAUTIO...

Page 30: ...d sealant tape on hydraulic hoses or fittings These materials could damage the product Always use two wrenches to ensure proper tightening of fittings and hoses Use the following procedure to install SAE O ring fittings in the valve block and rams 1 Turn the jam nut on the fitting as far back as possible 2 Lubricate the O ring with clean hydraulic fluid 3 Screw the fitting into the port by hand un...

Page 31: ...p a battery charger when the vehicle is not in use If the battery cannot achieve or maintain a full charge replace it On dual battery vehicles always replace both batteries even if only one of them is bad Avoid leaving the snowplow vehicle parked unused for 3 weeks or longer Parking a vehicle with the battery in a discharged state can result in permanent battery damage Avoid operating the snowplow...

Page 32: ...o illustrations or specifications used Western Products or the vehicle manufacturer may require or recommend optional equipment for snow removal Do not exceed vehicle ratings with a snowplow This product is manufactured under the following US Patents 7 400 058 7 737 576 9 200 418 Western Products offers a limited warranty for all snowplows and accessories See separately printed page for this impor...

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