Snow Removal Frustration

[Kioti Tom]

That is what I do. I set the scarifiers to just start digging when I tilt it forward. about an inch. Then I tilt it back tp use the box to move the snow and ice. Cleared several hilly drives going up to some stables. I also used my snow blade after breaking up the ice in stead of the BB. Depends on available space..

 

[xring100]

I'm guessing this Tractor weighs at least 12000 lbs more if he's got filled tires. Weight alone is not your friend for solving traction problems on low co
I've explained this before but adding weight on ice or snow is not much help Smooth Ice has a surface coefficient of about 0.1mu and hard pack snow is about 0.3 on level ground on ice for every 100 pounds of weight you will get 10 lbs of tractive force. on a Hill you the weight now has 2 vectors one is the normal force now much smaller and one is the force trying to pull the tractor down the hill. Since the mu of ice is about 0.1 it does'nt have to be a very steep hill. The only thing that will help you is increasing the coefficent of friction between the surface and your tires. Since SNOW and ICE tires are out of the question for tractors Your looking at Tire Chains which are better anyways. From the research i've done in the past chains will give atleast at 0.4 mu on ice Thats the most effectie way to solve traction problems. Then add weight

Tire Friction coeffiecnts
Friction Coefficients for Ag tires to various surfaces
gravel the coefficient of friction is approximately 0.6
Hard pack snow = 0.25
Ice =0.1

 

[tractchores]

I just added rear chains and the traction is unbelievable. I'm now able to push snowbanks back in a single push without spinning. They were expensive, but having used them they are definitely worth it and make snow removal much faster because you can take a bigger bite and move more volume in one pass

 

[Rohdog]

I still use my 1966 MF 135 with rear blade that I can angle..it works great with the tires loaded...but (after this year in northern ohio)..I sure miss the tire chains we use to have on it ...it was a little beast then...when I was a kid back in the 70's I use to pull people out every winter for cash...people were amazed what that little massey could do. I am now going to buy another set of tire chains...anybody know where I can get a good set? MF 135 bought new in 1966..never done anything to it but general maintainance..Z145 engine..and still fires right up in -10 cold.we love our little massey.

 

[wsc9tt]

I still use my 1966 MF 135 with rear blade that I can angle..it works great with the tires loaded...but (after this year in northern ohio)..I sure miss the tire chains we use to have on it ...it was a little beast then...when I was a kid back in the 70's I use to pull people out every winter for cash...people were amazed what that little massey could do. I am now going to buy another set of tire chains...anybody know where I can get a good set? MF 135 bought new in 1966..never done anything to it but general maintainance..Z145 engine..and still fires right up in -10 cold.we love our little massey.

Once I took into account shipping I found tirechain.com to be the cheapest. I just got the Duo-grip chains, should arrive today so I can't claim how well they work yet. But it has to be better that the current sliding.

 

[Rohdog]

wsc9tt,
Thank's i'm going to check out tirechain.com...chains for the mf 135 are very high price around here.

 

[vtsnowedin]

wsc9tt,
Thank's i'm going to check out tirechain.com...chains for the mf 135 are very high price around here.

I don't know as you will find much regional variation in pricing. It's a world market and everybody has the internet to check prices against. But when you come down to it they make the difference between a tractor that gets the job done and a $25,000 chunk of iron that sits and spins. Even at $1000 for the top of the line ice chains they are cheap for the extra work you can get done with them.

 

[Rohdog]

I agree,i wish we kept the old set..they were bought back in the 70's..for some reason my dad thought we didn't need them anymore and sold them 15 years ago..they were a very good set vert heavy.We made a v shape plow for the front of our bigger tractor (1978 deutz 6806)..and used that..but that tractor is a pain in the _ _ s to start..below 40 so I just use the old dependable massey..I cant beleave how after all these years..that 35hp massey still runs great..i was driving it when I was 6 years old..now 52 lol.

 

[toomanymachines]

Looking at the video reminded me of a customer's story last week. He has a larger front wheel assist that he just mounted new 38" radials maximo by name. He hates them. He said he cannot move from a standstill on polished snow in his yard. Nothing on the loader. He has to put it into front wheel assist to just get moving.
I am guessing that the rubber must be rather hard, and minus 20 makes it as hard as a hockey puck. ( and slide like one too)

 

[k0ua]

Chains make all the difference in the world, A few snows a go, on my hill my tractor looked like the JD in the video, I slid down the hill and managed to get it back to the barn, barely. I went in and ordered the expensive chains. The difference is day and night. I have no idea what the older fella thinks he is doing with the shovel. This also shows you AG tires are no better than other tires on ice. They all harden up and are worthless. So is weight. You have to have a traction method, chains, studs or some way to grab onto the ground.

 

[toomanymachines]

If you find yourself stuck on ice and cannot move..ASHES work wonders.

My parents yard was built on a hill. The semi that would deliver tires would back over the top of the hill and into the bottom to unload tires. Many times he could not make it back up the hill after he dropped a bunch of weight. A few shovel fulls of ashes was all that was needed.
Last year I got my wheel loader stuck pushing snow into and beyond a ditch.. I could not back out with my useless rock tires. Half a pail of ashes and I drove backwardup the icey slope back onto the road.
This year I have snow tires on.

 

[wsc9tt]

Once I took into account shipping I found tirechain.com to be the cheapest. I just got the Duo-grip chains, should arrive today so I can't claim how well they work yet. But it has to be better that the current sliding.

The chains arrived and they fit nicely. I got them on hand tight and didn't need tensioners to keep them in place.
The chains are really heavy (69lbs each tire) and seem to work pretty well.
But the ride is surprisingly rough, with ice on top of gravel it is really bumpy driving down the road and I find it hard to use the FEL because the machine is bouncing around so much.
It will probably be better on a softer surface where the chain can sink in, but I got this for ice. I suspect I wanted the 'ladder' style.

 

[Shawn Morin]

I had this problem with my L3600 and getting the tires loaded solved the problem. I don't know exactly how much heavier the rear is now, but boy did it make a difference.

 

[vtsnowedin]

The chains arrived and they fit nicely. I got them on hand tight and didn't need tensioners to keep them in place.
The chains are really heavy (69lbs each tire) and seem to work pretty well.
But the ride is surprisingly rough, with ice on top of gravel it is really bumpy driving down the road and I find it hard to use the FEL because the machine is bouncing around so much.
It will probably be better on a softer surface where the chain can sink in, but I got this for ice. I suspect I wanted the 'ladder' style.

You may be running more then the recommended tire pressure. A tractor tire meant to run at 20 psi will ride like a stone wheel at 32 psi.

 

[wsc9tt]

You may be running more then the recommended tire pressure. A tractor tire meant to run at 20 psi will ride like a stone wheel at 32 psi.

Perhaps, but I wouldn't think so. The tractor just arrived from the dealer after they added Rimguard to the tires. So far the dealer has been pretty careful about things. I will verify that pressure and rimguard level.

-Wayne

 

[coldstream]

Hi folks, Coldstream here I was the OP of this thread, glad to see it's still alive! Well we had a big snow here a week or so ago, bigger than any of last years. I managed to get dug out but it did remind me that I need to get some traction aid. This snow was pretty dry and light, not wet and heavy. And there was less ice underneath so I was able to move it much easier than the large ones last year. Funny how it seems that each snow event can be different with regard to how hard it is to get cleared. I installed some gage wheels on my back blade early this winter and that has really helped me keep the gravel out of my yard while snow plowing. I've been researching making some rear tire chains for the B2920. I think that I'll save me a bit of money and it'll be a good project to take on. Supposed to be in the 50's for the next several days, here's hoping the snow is over for 2014! Man, I hope I didn't jinx it......

 

[wsc9tt]

Perhaps, but I wouldn't think so. The tractor just arrived from the dealer after they added Rimguard to the tires. So far the dealer has been pretty careful about things. I will verify that pressure and rimguard level.

Well, I guess I shouldn't be trusting the guys at the dealer. Both fronts and backs were over 30psi. Letting out a bunch of air in the rear let it ride much nicer with the chains. But they are still way rougher than I expected.

 

[john_bud]

If you find yourself stuck on ice and cannot move..ASHES work wonders.

My parents yard was built on a hill. The semi that would deliver tires would back over the top of the hill and into the bottom to unload tires. Many times he could not make it back up the hill after he dropped a bunch of weight. A few shovel fulls of ashes was all that was needed.
Last year I got my wheel loader stuck pushing snow into and beyond a ditch.. I could not back out with my useless rock tires. Half a pail of ashes and I drove backwardup the icey slope back onto the road.
This year I have snow tires on.

This is 100% true. A very light dusting of ashes on slick snow or even black ice turn it into great traction. We burn wood for heat, and I save a bucket of ashes for this purpose as our drive is uphill to the house. A sprinkle of ashes and it goes from impassible to no problemo.


But quality H-bar chain is the real answer. But you can bugger up black top and scar cement if you spin. just a word to the wise.

 

[rekees4300]

If you find yourself stuck on ice and cannot move..ASHES work wonders.

Sand also works.

 

[Looking4new]

Well, I guess I shouldn't be trusting the guys at the dealer. Both fronts and backs were over 30psi. Letting out a bunch of air in the rear let it ride much nicer with the chains. But they are still way rougher than I expected.

NEVER, NEVER trust the dealer.