Snow Am I ready for the Snow?? or get chains??

[funwithahoe]

Do I need chains in Pennsylvania if I have a B3200 with R4's and a 72 inch plow? Anyone with experience willing to tell me how much snow I am going to be able to push on the flat - (Assuming a medium snow not too fluffy and not wet)??

 

[rekees4300]

With R4s in PA do yourself a favor and get chains. If you get ice or more than a foot of snow the tractor will be rather useless without chains.

 

[gauthier]

My r4's and a 6ft rear blade worked pretty good this year in 2 ft of wet snow,ck30 no chains,loaded rears.

Chains don't believe will be a big improvement unless your on hard packed snow or ice.

I was going to get a set till last winter,if you don't have your rears loaded with something,you should.

 

[Thomas]

I push 7 1/2 ' blade also pull w/6' rear blade w/loaded rear R4's loaded,and half drive way steep.

Try plowing w/out chain w/good rear ballast weight,plus one doesn't have to try push full blade of snow each time.

 

[DK35vince]

I plowed snow for years without chains and I got by OK.
A few years ago I put chains on all four tires and the differance is HUGE.
I can now push more snow, push it faster (due to not spinning) and push it back farther.

 

[jimmer2880]

Chains make a Big difference. Howevever, if you load your kubota down with weight, that will also make a big difference.

Loaded tires are a must. I also hang about 500 lbs of weight off of my 3pt when pushing my 7' plow on the front.

 

[RoyJackson]

Do I need chains in Pennsylvania if I have a B3200 with R4's and a 72 inch plow? Anyone with experience willing to tell me how much snow I am going to be able to push on the flat - (Assuming a medium snow not too fluffy and not wet)??

Part of it will depend on what kind of tires you have and the topography of the area you have to plow. Steep drive, definitely chains!! The length of your drive isn't as big a factor as how steep, but do consider that.

It also depends on where you are in PA. South central (York/Harrisburg region) doesn't normally get that much accumulation...but when we get a Nor'easter (like we did last February), all bets are off. Chains are a good idea, but I did fine without them for years.
NW PA (Erie area) get lake effect snow frequently, so chains are essential.

Now, after that blizzard last February, I did get chains. Might not see such a storm again for years...but I'll be prepared.
And again, even a relatively small accumulation (8" or less) can really give you grief if you have a steep drive...just ask Arrabil.

www.Tirechains.com is located in PA, BTW....Johnstown in central western PA.

Since you're using plow, you'll want good ballast on the 3PH.

 

[beenthere]

Its a hard call, as with my R4's I do not need chains many of our winter snows.

But a wet snow that ice's up fast after the first pass, or after a freezing rain you may lose all traction that mucho weight and tire tread have little to no effect on traction.

When you spin out going up a slight grade and find out that you are in an uncontrolled backward slide/ride down an icy drive, just hoping that you and tractor don't end up in a pile-up at the bottom....chains will look real good.
Have done that twice, and now put the chains on when I think those conditions exist.

But as said, most winter snows here in WI are when the temps are below freezing and there is no ice on the drive surface. R4's with ballast are just fine. Some winters (maybe 10-15 in the last 43 yrs. here) never put the chains on at any time. No two winters are the same.

 

[flyingcow]

Try it without. I'm assuming it's a 4-wheel drive. I think you'll be ok. If you do put chains on, rears will be all you need.

 

[Don87]

I watched as my neighbor slid down my paved driveway with the 4 wheel drive backhoe last year on R4's, I watched as he slid down his own gravel driveway, the same day.
I'm a firm believer in chains, if you have any slope at all.
And load the tires, if you haven't already.

 

[whistlepig]

Do I need chains in Pennsylvania if I have a B3200 with R4's and a 72 inch plow? Anyone with experience willing to tell me how much snow I am going to be able to push on the flat - (Assuming a medium snow not too fluffy and not wet)??

I have a B7800 which is almost the same size as a B3200. The area I have to plow is about as flat as one could ever wish for. I tried the R4's without chains for snow pushing with a 54" FEL. It just didn't work for me. I ordered chains this year but haven't had a chance to try them. One thing for sure. Once the first big snow flies it's about impossible to find tire chains. I wanted chains last December. It took the supplier until the end of last month to get the ones I wanted in. A nine month wait.

 

[RoyJackson]

Once the first big snow flies it's about impossible to find tire chains. I wanted chains last December. It took the supplier until the end of last month to get the ones I wanted in. A nine month wait.

Yep, same here...not as long as whistlepig, but I wanted the chains in February...took until May.

 

[beenthere]

.................. One thing for sure. Once the first big snow flies it's about impossible to find tire chains. I wanted chains last December. It took the supplier until the end of last month to get the ones I wanted in. A nine month wait.

That is one of the most compelling reasons to get chains. So many end up getting chains that do not fit their tires well, and end up having to put chain binders and straps on just to pull the sloppiness out of them. Some suppliers think "one size fits all" :confused3:

 

[Thomas]

Some new Kubota models..L2800..you'll need wheel spacer before adding rear tire chains..about $375.oo.

 

[funwithahoe]

Thanks for all the replies - Any idea how much I should expect to spend for a pair of rear chains? Again it is a B3200.

Thanks!

 

[RoyJackson]

Thanks for all the replies - Any idea how much I should expect to spend for a pair of rear chains? Again it is a B3200.

Thanks!

Determine your rear tire size and go to www.tirechains.com. You'll see the prices there. You'll have to determine which type of chain you need. The website gives recommendations for different usage.
Since my drive is pretty level and gravel, I didn't think I needed an overly aggressive chain so I went for a 4 link ladder (what tirechains.com calls "road chains").
As I'd written in an earlier post, they're located in Johnstown PA. There is a calculator for shipping costs.
It cost me about $32 to have my chains (4 link ladder style for 41-14-20 Turfs, cost was about $180 plus shipping) sent UPS ground (just outside York PA).

 

[funwithahoe]

I have a B7800 which is almost the same size as a B3200. The area I have to plow is about as flat as one could ever wish for. I tried the R4's without chains for snow pushing with a 54" FEL. It just didn't work for me. I ordered chains this year but haven't had a chance to try them. One thing for sure. Once the first big snow flies it's about impossible to find tire chains. I wanted chains last December. It took the supplier until the end of last month to get the ones I wanted in. A nine month wait.

Thanks for your input - Although I value everyone's input I like that you basically have the same tractor with R'4's and I would guess get about the same amount of snow there in Ohio as we do in pennsylvania.

If I angle the blade would I be able to push 12 or so inches without the chains? My rears are filled and I am thinking I should fill up my ballast box with 500lbs before winter - (Haven't used the ballast box yet).

Thanks again to eveyone that replied! Chains just seem like such a pain to put on and I park the tractor in my garage so I would imagine they will rip up the floor pretty good.

 

[Thomas]

"I park the tractor in my garage so I would imagine they will rip up the floor pretty good. "

1/2" cheap plywood for protection.

 

[whistlepig]

Thanks for your input - Although I value everyone's input I like that you basically have the same tractor with R'4's and I would guess get about the same amount of snow there in Ohio as we do in pennsylvania.

If I angle the blade would I be able to push 12 or so inches without the chains? My rears are filled and I am thinking I should fill up my ballast box with 500lbs before winter - (Haven't used the ballast box yet).

Thanks again to eveyone that replied! Chains just seem like such a pain to put on and I park the tractor in my garage so I would imagine they will rip up the floor pretty good.

Your tractor should push twelve inches of snow easily. My ATV with a 54" blade will push twelve inches of snow. The wind sometimes is a greater enemy than the snow. Six inches of snow and 25 MPH winds equals 4'-5' drifts. Some places bare ground. Some places 4'-5' drifts. That's why the chains became necessary for me this year. I can get it done without chains and a FEL but it takes forever. You have to ram the drifts because of lack of traction and any little dip in the ground will make the tires spin. Constant changing of the approach angle to adjust for little dips and sways in the ground. When it came to the point that my tractor and FEL could only a move a small fraction of snow by volume that it could have easily moved in gravel and dirt it was time to give the tractor a little help.

 

[beenthere]

.............If I angle the blade would I be able to push 12 or so inches without the chains? My rears are filled and I am thinking I should fill up my ballast box with 500lbs before winter - (Haven't used the ballast box yet).
......

A 12" snowfall can be very, very different.
If powder snow, it is one thing. If wet, blowing snow it is another. And there is everything in between.
I doubt anyone can really answer the question without qualification.

Have them on hand if needed, and then adapt to what it takes to tolerate them.
Sometimes we have to give up some things to have other things. At least I do.