Earnest Technical Bulletin 

#3 Domed Head Plow Bolt

Standard Thread and Body Length

Cleveland • Atlanta • Indianapolis • England EarnestMachine.com 800.327.6378

 Earnest Technical Bulletin 

Flat Head vs Dome Head

Plow Bolts

Flat Head Domed Head Designs Supplied

(per ASME B18.9) by Earnest (per Cat 1E44)

Industry practice is to call a # 3 head plow bolt that is made to the dimensional requirements of ASME B18.9
as a “flat” head design and to call a plow bolt that is made to the heavy duty head design specified by the
Caterpillar standard 1E44 as a “domed” head design.
The expression “domed” head is more than the presence of the bump or domed area that is on the top of the
head. The height of the entire head is heavier and the length of the square is more substantial on a “domed”
head as compared to a “flat” head design.
Different manufacturers have different heights that they make the “domed” bump on top of the head to but the
overall head and square thickness must meet the Cat standard. Some manufacturers will make the height of the
dome more substantial and the feed thickness (the side height on the OD of the head) a little smaller. Some
manufacturers will make the “domed” portion relatively small and make the feed thickness heavier.
Dome Height Dome Height

Head Feed Head Feed

Thickness Thickness Thickness Thickness

Domed Head Domed Head

with large dome height with small dome height
small feed thickness large feed thickness

Dome Head Plow Bolts are designed to provide added ease of assembly and greater resistance to failure in
service as compared to a standard flat head design. A domed head style is designed to be interchangeable in
any application that is using a flat head style with the following added benefits:
• Thicker domed head provides greater wear resistance.
• Specialized head diameter provide for a tighter fit in countersunk holes.
• Deeper depth of square provides fuller engagement.
• Smaller transition angle on the corners of the square provides for a greater resistance against
spinning in the hole during installation.
• Tighter tolerance on the body diameter minimizes the potential of the bolt moving in the hole,
which can result in the assembly coming loose and causing rounding out of the installation holes.

Dome Feed Width of Depth of Head Transition

Head Diameter Body Dia. Fillet Rad Corner Rad Angle
Size Hgt Thick Square &Square
A D E F G S FR CR N
Max Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Nominal
5/8 – 11 1.044 1.013 .625 .611 .10 .050 .640 .625 .516 .466 .062 .015 .094 .030 30°
3/4 – 10 1.200 1.169 .750 .735 .11 .090 .765 .750 .581 .541 .125 .031 .109 .030 30°
7/8 – 9 1.409 1.369 .875 .859 .11 .100 .906 .875 .663 .613 .125 .031 .125 .050 30°
1–8 1.597 1.557 1.000 .983 .12 .100 1.031 1.000 .737 .677 .125 .031 .141 .050 30°
1 1/8 – 7 1.910 1.790 1.125 1.098 .18 .120 1.160 1.125 .810 .765 .125 .031 .156 .062 30°
1 1/4 - 7 2.087 1.969 1.250 1.223 .19 .140 1.290 1.250 .945 .892 .177 .062 .172 .062 30°

Cleveland • Atlanta • Indianapolis • England EarnestMachine.com 800.327.6378

 Earnest Technical Bulletin 

Plow Bolt Head Designs

The term “plow bolt” can mean something different to different people. Over the years several head designs have been
used to attach a blade to a plow and have been called plow bolts. These different head styles have been given numbers
(#1 head, #2 head, #3 head, etc) to differentiate the different head designs.

In today’s market, the most commonly used head style is the “# 3 Head”, so today when someone ask for a “plow bolt” we
assume they are asking for the # 3 head.

Manufacturers of # 3 head plow bolts typically make the larger diameter sizes (5/8 and larger) with a heavy duty head
that is commonly called a “domed” head. The smaller diameters (1/2” and less) are made with what is called a
“regular” or “flat” head style.

The # 3 Domed Head style is the most popular style used for larger snow plows (as used by highway departments) and
for earthmoving equipment. For small plow applications the “carriage” bolt head design is the most common one used

Note also that different industries can use different names for this same item. Earthmoving equipment manufactures
call these bolts “cutting blade bolts”, “scraper blade bolts” or “ground engagement hardware bolts”.

Shown below are the different head styles that have been used in “plow” applications over the years.

No. 1 No. 2
Key Head Round Head

No. 3 No. 3
Flat Round Head Square Neck Domed Round Head Square Neck
(Scraper Blade Bolt)

No. 4 No. 6
Square Head Large Key Head

No. 7 No. 8
Reverse Key Head Contour Head
(Bucket Tooth Bolt) (Elliptical Head)

No. 11 (non−designated)
Chattanooga Head Clipped Head

Cleveland • Atlanta • Indianapolis • England EarnestMachine.com 800.327.6378

 Earnest Technical Bulletin 

#3 Oversized Flat Head Plow Bolts

Grade 5

An “oversized head” plow bolt is a plow bolt that has a larger head size than is standard for the thread size.

Example: For the 3/8 – 16 size, the threads are 3/8 – 16 but the head is the size that would
be found on a standard 7/16” plow bolt.

The “Oversized Head˜ design is used in applications where the blade is manufactured to accept a larger head size
than the hole drilled in the mold board of the blade (example: blade has a 1/2” square punched into it but mold
board has a 7/16 hole drilled in it). The increased engagement area of the head helps to distribute the forces, which
are encountered in use, over a larger area to prevent damage to the blade and the engagement hole. The larger head
diameter provides a greater wear area for increased life.

“Oversized Head˜ Plow Bolts come threaded to the head to fit a variety of grip ranges.

E5

Earnest #3 Oversized Head Plow Bolt Tolerances

Head Diameter Depth of Width of
Size Square Square
(Thread Corresponding A S B
Dia) Plow Bolt Head Max Min Min Max Min Max Min
Size Sharp
3/8 – 16 7/16” Head Size .826 .781 .766 .364 .328 .450 .438
7/16 – 14 1/2” Head Size .945 .890 .875 .417 .375 .515 .500

Note that the Oversized Head style is not the same as the “Repair˜ style listed in ANSI B18.9.

Compared to a Standard #3 Head Plow Bolt

Dimension that a standard #3 head plow bolt is made to (per ANSI B18.9 – Regular Series)
Head Diameter Depth of Square Width of Square
Size A S B
Max Min Min Max Min Max Min
Sharp
3/8 – 16 .708 .671 .656 .312 .281 .387 .375
7/16 – 14 .826 .781 .766 .364 .328 .450 .438
1/2 – 13 .945 .890 .875 .417 .375 .515 .500

Cleveland • Atlanta • Indianapolis • England EarnestMachine.com 800.327.6378

 Earnest Technical Bulletin 5/2/12

#3 Regular Flat Head Plow Bolt

Earnest Machine Products line of #3 Head Plow Bolts in sizes 3/8 to 5/8 diameters are
manufactured to the dimensions specified by ASME/ANSI B18.9 for Regular Head Series.

CR

Min Thread Length

Length

Max Thread Length

ASME/ANSI B18.9 Plow Bolts – # 3 Flat Head Tolerances (Regular Head Series)
Head Width of Feed Head Corner
Diameter Square Thick Thickness Rad
Size A B F S CR
Max Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Max
3/8 – 16 .708 .656 .387 .375 .031 .000 .312 .281 .047
7/16 – 14 .826 .766 .450 .438 .036 .000 .364 .328 .047
1/2 – 13 .945 .875 .515 .500 .042 .000 .417 .375 .047
5/8 – 11 1.147 1.063 .640 .625 .050 .000 .506 .456 .078
Earnest also stocks the Dome Head style in sizes 5/8 and larger.

The thread lengths for Earnest line of plow bolts in these sizes will have a minimum thread length of 2 x
Dia + 1/4 to a maximum thread length of threaded to the head.
Flat Head Plow Bolt Thread Lengths
Thread Length per Bolt Diameter
Overall
3/8 7/16 1/2 5/8
Length
Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Max
1 T to H - T to H - T to H - T to H -
1 1/4 T to H - T to H - T to H - T to H -
1 1/2 1 T to H T to H - T to H - T to H -
1 3/4 1 T to H 1 1/8 T to H 1 1/4 T to H T to H -
2 1 T to H 1 1/8 T to H 1 1/4 T to H T to H -
2 1/4 1 T to H 1 1/8 T to H 1 1/4 T to H 1 1/2 T to H
2 1/2 1 T to H 1 1/8 T to H 1 1/4 T to H 1 1/2 T to H
2 3/4 1 T to H 1 1/8 T to H 1 1/4 T to H 1 1/2 T to H
3 to 6 1 T to H 1 1/8 T to H 1 1/4 T to H 1 1/2 T to H
T to H = Threaded to Head
 Earnest Technical Bulletin 5/1/12

#3 Dome Scraper Bolt

170M Strength Level

1 70 M
EMP
PS1

The Earnest Machine Products line of #3 Dome Scraper Bolts are manufactured to a higher hardness
and strength (170,000 psi) than our standard Grade 8 line to provide additional wear resistance for
demanding scraper blade applications. The head design is the same as our grade 8 line to fit in all # 3
Head plow bolt applications. The domed head design provides added ease of assembly and greater
resistance to failure in service as compared to a standard flat head design.

• Higher hardness and strength along the domed head provides added wear resistance.
• Specialized head diameter provides for a tighter fit in countersunk holes.
• Head design will fit in all applications designed for # 3 head bolts
• Deeper depth of square provides fuller engagement.
• Smaller transition angle on the corners of the square provides for a greater resistance
against spinning in the hole during installation.
• Tighter tolerance on the body diameter for sizes 5/8 and larger, minimizes the potential of
the bolt moving in the hole, which can result in the assembly coming loose and causing
rounding out of the installation holes.

170M head marking ensures the highest strength and best wear resistance.
• 170,000 psi minimum Tensile Strength
• 140,000 psi min Proof Load Strength
• Hardness Rc 37/42

A E CR

70M
1

EMP D

PS I
Fr Min Thread Length G
F
S
Length

Head Diameter Body Dia. Dome Feed Thick Width of Depth of Fillet Rad Corner Rad Transition
Size Hgt Square Square Angle
A D E F G S FR CR N
Sharp Max Min Max Min Max Max Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Nominal
5/8 – 11 1.197 1.044 1.013 .625 .611 .10 .120 .050 .640 .625 .516 .466 .062 .015 .094 .030 30°
3/4 – 10 1.488 1.200 1.169 .750 .735 .11 .160 .090 .765 .750 .581 .541 .125 .031 .109 .030 30°
7/8 – 9 1.745 1.409 1.369 .875 .859 .11 .170 .100 .906 .875 .663 .613 .125 .031 .125 .050 30°
1–8 1.933 1.597 1.557 1.000 .983 .12 .170 .100 1.031 1.000 .737 .677 .125 .031 .141 .050 30°
1 1/8 – 7 - 1.910 1.790 1.125 1.098 .18 .160 .120 1.160 1.125 .810 .765 .125 .031 .156 .062 30°
1 1/4 - 7 - 2.087 1.969 1.250 1.223 .19 .180 .140 1.290 1.250 .945 .892 .177 .062 .172 .062 30°
1 3/8 – 6 - 2.323 2.205 1.375 1.345 .22 .200 .160 1.421 1.370 1.063 1.010 .177 .062 .187 .062 30°
1 1/2 – 6 - 2.520 2.401 1.500 1.470 .25 .200 .160 1.559 1.496 1.181 1.122 .177 .062 .203 .078 30°
 Earnest Technical Bulletin 5/1/12
o ed ead low olt

50MPS

1
E8

The Earnest Machine Products line of #3 Dome Head Plow Bolts are specially design to provide added
ease of assembly and greater resistance to failure in service as compared to a standard flat head design.

• Thicker domed head provides greater wear resistance.

• Specialized head diameter provide for a tighter fit in countersunk holes.
• Head design will fit into all applications designed for # 3 Heads.
• Deeper depth of square provides fuller engagement.
• Smaller transition angle on the corners of the square provides for a greater
resistance against spinning in the hole during installation.
• Tighter tolerance on the body diameter for sizes 5/8 and larger, minimizes the
potential of the bolt moving in the hole, which can result in the assembly coming
loose and causing rounding out of the installation holes.

Two strength levels are available (depending on size and availability):

• Grade 5 (per SAE J429) 120,000 psi minimum Tensile Strength
Standard Duty, Good Strength to Toughness Ratio

• Grade 8 (per SAE J429) 150,000 psi minimum Tensile Strength

Heavy Duty, Best Strength to Toughness Ratio

OM PSI
15
E5

E8
Grade 5 Grade 8

Head Diameter Body Dia. Dome Feed Thick Width of Depth of Fillet Rad Corner Rad Transition
Size Hgt Square Square Angle
A D E F G S FR CR N
Sharp Max Min Max Min Max Max Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Nominal
1/2 – 13 .945 .890 .875 .500 .483 - .042 - .515 .500 .417 .375 .062 - .047 - 30°
5/8 – 11 1.197 1.044 1.013 .625 .611 .10 .120 .050 .640 .625 .516 .466 .062 .015 .094 .030 30°
3/4 – 10 1.488 1.200 1.169 .750 .735 .11 .160 .090 .765 .750 .581 .541 .125 .031 .109 .030 30°
7/8 – 9 1.745 1.409 1.369 .875 .859 .11 .170 .100 .906 .875 .663 .613 .125 .031 .125 .050 30°
1–8 1.933 1.597 1.557 1.000 .983 .12 .170 .100 1.031 1.000 .737 .677 .125 .031 .141 .050 30°
1 1/8 – 7 - 1.910 1.790 1.125 1.098 .18 .160 .120 1.160 1.125 .810 .765 .125 .031 .156 .062 30°
1 1/4 - 7 - 2.087 1.969 1.250 1.223 .19 .180 .140 1.290 1.250 .945 .892 .177 .062 .172 .062 30°
1 3/8 – 6 - 2.323 2.205 1.375 1.345 .22 .200 .160 1.421 1.370 1.063 1.010 .177 .062 .187 .062 30°
1 1/2 – 6 - 2.520 2.401 1.500 1.470 .25 .200 .160 1.559 1.496 1.181 1.122 .177 .062 .203 .078 30°