Chains for Wet Heavy Snow

[tkcomer]

I have a Case-IH DX-33 with 15X19.5 R4 tires. What is a good chain to put on this tractor for the wet heavy snows that we get around here? I have a gravel driveway, but the tractor can't get much traction because the tires will float on the snow and spin. Going uphill with the FEL is impossible. Are these a good chain to use in the conditions I have: Duo Ladder Tractor Tire Chains Thanks for any replys.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I can't help you with the chains but if you don't have the tires loaded, and it sounds like you don't, then you need to do that. Also a little ballast on the back wouldn't hurt.

I use R4's and have no issues or need for chains with the loaded tires and a 6 ft rear blade.

 

[tkcomer]

Rear tires are loaded. I use a 6 foot finish mower on the back for ballast. The tractor spins until it hits the ground, digs a hole, then lurches forward about a foot, then spins until it digs back down again. It won't even go uphill trying to push snow. It just digs the driveway up. Not to mention the yard when I go in it to dump snow.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Are you using 4wd? Is there any tread on the tires? I've never heard of anyone having that much of a problem. I just went thru the snowiest winter on record with mine and had no issues.

I hope someone can help you with the chain question.

 

[Toddao]

How steep is your driveway? I'd go with the v-bar version or get the studded type chains

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[Toddao]

Like these
Aquiline Tire Chains

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[tkcomer]

Not that steep. But the R4 tires float on the snow. Then digs in. It doesn't help that the tread fills up with snow and makes it a round doughnut. I had a 2WD Case-IH 685 with ag tires. It would dig through snow. But I sold it when I sold the farm. I can remember when my dad put chains on an A International Farmall in heavy snow and mud to pull a wagon to feed cattle. Thats why I'm asking about chains for this tractor.

 

[RoyJackson]

might want to try siping (grooving) those R-4s. Do a TBN search on siping...lots of post and lots of good results!

 

[RedNeckRacin]

The r-4 tire on my kubota l3400 are less than worthless in the slushy snow. I run 2 link v bars on the front of that tractor now with 0 issues in 5+ years.

I have a set of the duo v bar chains on my jd and I don't care for them. I run a aquiline talon chain type on the rears, I love those chains.

 

[Egon]

Take a look at skidder type chains.

 

[varmint]

If you are running R-4s, then the duo ladder chains will be fine. You just need chains that stand proud of the tread lugs- chains that find their way between the lugs are not going to help. I run turfs, unloaded, and have chains, and traction is no problem, even on mostly icy surfaces- which is why I got chains. 4 Wheel drive helps, of course.

 

[George2615]

I had a similar sized Mahindra 2615HST. It could not plow uphill (not many vehicles truck or tractor will plow uphill for very long) but it could drive through snow uphill with the loader up, then could plow going down hill. I used ladder chains on the rear, V-bars on the front and a 900 lb. counterweight.
If the rears are spinning and digging holes the 4WD is not working.

 

[oldballs]

I have 2 link ladder chains, R-4 tires (not loaded) on a Kubota B2620. Using a 5 ft back blade and the FEL I have no problems on snow/gravel and slight inclines. This tractor is similar to the OP's Case IH 33. I use the 4WD. Something seems amiss for the OP, or those Kentucky hills are really steep.

 

[Egon]

A picture of some real ugly chains. A set of these may eliminate many of the OP' s traction problems.

[video]http://www.silverlakefabrication.com/logging/tryggsuper-dutytightringchains.jpg[/video]

 

[Garycw]

Load the fronts too. Tire chains.com is a good resource for chains of all types. As mentioned, nothing much is going to plow uphill. I had to get off pavement to even get to top & plow down on a cub 3205 that had weights & chains. Had to use the diff lock a lot too.
Will also be using a JD1025 this year w/ 4 loaded tires, 4 chains on R4 tires, 4wd W/ diff lock. Hoping for a better outcome. I still wouldn't expect to plow uphill.

 

[wimpy525]

I needed chains for my Mahindra with R4 Tires and loaded rears, when I got talking with the sales guy he said use ladder chains on the front. Figured he was nuts and it wouldn't work but I have had no problem plowing with just chains on the front.

 

[oosik]

When I had a smaller tractor - Ford 1700 - I used God-awful heavy duty V-bar tractor chains both front & rear, the rear tires were loaded and it was always in 4WD. In that configuration it would plow snow right up the side of a tree.

The only down side - the chains made the ride VERY cobbie.

 

[Garycw]

When I had a smaller tractor - Ford 1700 - I used God-awful heavy duty V-bar tractor chains both front & rear, the rear tires were loaded and it was always in 4WD. In that configuration it would plow snow right up the side of a tree. The only down side - the chains made the ride VERY cobbie.

I would think they would tear the crap out of a driveway too. Especially black top.

 

[leonz]

I have a Case-IH DX-33 with 15X19.5 R4 tires. What is a good chain to put on this tractor for the wet heavy snows that we get around here? I have a gravel driveway, but the tractor can't get much traction because the tires will float on the snow and spin. Going uphill with the FEL is impossible. Are these a good chain to use in the conditions I have: Duo Ladder Tractor Tire Chains Thanks for any replys.

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Ah, you suffer from the common malady being Tractorus Snow Slipperius Skiddus Tirus.

the more chain you buy the better a two link V bar chain may be all you need. You also need chain tensioners.

The problem with the R4's is the tread is that they are bidirectional so the cross chains cannot lay in the trough that is created with the R-1-2 tires. A turf tire is simple as the cross chain lays there and is able to flex and enable the cross chain to grip before that portion of the tire compresses against it as it advances on the turf or the asphault.

Log skidder and grader chains have to be tight against the tread due to the hight torque their drive trains generate as they use a planetary drive system in many cases and in mopst cases all the tires are loaded with liquid ballast.

It all depends on how much you can afford to spend, Log skidder and grader chains have a monster grip just like glue on snow.

 

[oosik]

No, Garycw, I never had any problems with the chains chewing the driveway. "Normally" it will freeze here before it snows so my gravel drive is pretty hard. And after summer the drive has set up like concrete anyhow. The V-bar chains provided such positive traction that there was seldom any slippage and a chance for tearing things up.

Other down sides to real HD tractor chains - not only are they a PITA to install, they are also exceedingly heavy - and expensive. I'm REALLY pleased that I don't need chains any more with the new tractor.