Tire Chains for Traction on Turf Tires - Areas Beyond Snow?

[therooksatchickadeefarm]

So, we're new to tractor ownership. Just purchased a little CS2220 with a FEL and mid-mount mower. It has the turf tires, which I think will be fine for most applications and I don't want to tear up the ground if I can help it since we only have a couple open acres right now. All that said, my question is, what would be some recommendations for improving traction when working in the less developed parts of our property? A bit of mud and timber. I was wondering if you could use snow chains on the rear to help in soft ground/uneven terrain? Or is there some other option (besides swapping out the tires). Our main activities will be a little bit of clearing, putting down chips on trails, moving down/cut wood for firewood. The tires are ballasted with beet juice and the tractor is 4WD. Thanks in advance!

 

[oldballs]

I'd try it "as is".....until you get an idea how what you might need. Some time ago, I had a Kubota BX with turf tires and it worked just fine for my conditions and didn't even need chains in snow. Whereas a later Kubota B model with R4 tires wouldn't function at all in snow. That Kubota got chains and they worked fine for other winter chores such as plowing.

Cheers,
Mike

BTW......rear ballast really helps in most functions....but not necessary when just mowing.

 

[ruffdog]

Chains work great on turfs because the chains won't fall between the tread lugs. Be sure you have clearance between the tire and fender.

 

[Catchthedig]

In winter I fit 3/8 inch ladder-style chains on my JD950 rear turf tires. Had to fit extenders to move the wheels out about one inch to clear the fenders. JD advises against chains on the front tires to prevent fouling the power steering plumbing. Tractor with 4wd works fine, even on glare ice. I use the loader to shove back the snow berms when they get too narrow for the pickup snow plow. Chains stay on until late spring as they're like cleats on soft soil and mud. Don't hurt the turf if you don't spin the wheels.

 

[CalG]

I never take the ladder chains off the B7200 turfs. Not the Bolens HT-23.

Keeps from spinning on grassy slopes, and doesn't appear to harm turf at all.

 

[therooksatchickadeefarm]

Thanks everyone! Excellent food for thought!

 

[oosik]

My first tractor - 1982 Ford 1700 4WD. Under heavy snow plowing - it didn't have the weight to have sufficient traction. Even with the R-1 tires. I put on HD V-bar ladder chains - on all four. The improvement was fantastic.

 

[dj1701]

I have the same tires as you on my Kubota BX2680. I have been stuck a couple of times mowing some of my trails. I just avoid those areas till it dries up enough.

Winter on the other hand is different. I put chains on all four tires.

Dave

 

[LouNY]

Ladder chains are better then no chains but that is all.
The studded Euro type chain will have much more traction and the ride will be almost as smooth as just tires are.
Ladder chains will be bouncy on hard ground or hard ice.

 

[oldballs]

You can say that again..........plus....my ladder chains have a noticeable gap where the cam happen to lock.

 

[dj1701]

Ladder chains are better then no chains but that is all.
The studded Euro type chain will have much more traction and the ride will be almost as smooth as just tires are.
Ladder chains will be bouncy on hard ground or hard ice.

That is not correct. I have no bounce with the ladder chains. They ride very smoothly. If you look at my pic, they have V-bars welded to them and offer outstanding traction on ice.

 

[LouNY]

That is not correct. I have no bounce with the ladder chains. They ride very smoothly. If you look at my pic, they have V-bars welded to them and offer outstanding traction on ice.

We must have different ideas of ride quality, if you drive on hard frozen ground or pavement with ladder chains it doesn't matter if they have v bars or not the ride quality sucks thump bump thump bump thump bump as each ladder contacts the hard surface and the tire rides up on it. I used numerous sets of "ladder" style chains before I bought my first set of the "Euro" style patterned chains

 

[oldballs]

As ruffdogg mentioned in post #3, the type of tires that the chains are mounted on makes a difference. On my R4's some of the ladders fall in the lug spaces and some ride over the lugs. Therein lies the bumpy ride in my case. On deep snow or soft ground, none of this makes any differance. IMHO

And ,"Yes" if I had it to do all over again, I'd get the "Euro" style chains............

Cheers,
Mike

 

[dj1701]

We must have different ideas of ride quality, if you drive on hard frozen ground or pavement with ladder chains it doesn't matter if they have v bars or not the ride quality sucks thump bump thump bump thump bump as each ladder contacts the hard surface and the tire rides up on it. I used numerous sets of "ladder" style chains before I bought my first set of the "Euro" style patterned chains

What kind of tire size and chain size are you talking? Ladder chains with a cross chain every other link make a big difference. Its like riding on only the chain. Also the size of the chain makes a bid difference. Small diameter chains don't stick up as high.

The OP has the same size tractor as me. The ladder chains work great.

If your talking a bigger tractor with bigger tires and bigger diameter chains, then I see your point.

I run my Kubota on hardpack ice and don't have any issues with ride.

 

[TCowner]

You can say that again..........plus....my ladder chains have a noticeable gap where the cam happen to lock.

I agree. I wish somone would come up with an plan that would close that "gap" which causes most of the rough ride.

 

[Mirage276]

So, we're new to tractor ownership. Just purchased a little CS2220 with a FEL and mid-mount mower. It has the turf tires, which I think will be fine for most applications and I don't want to tear up the ground if I can help it since we only have a couple open acres right now. All that said, my question is, what would be some recommendations for improving traction when working in the less developed parts of our property? A bit of mud and timber. I was wondering if you could use snow chains on the rear to help in soft ground/uneven terrain? Or is there some other option (besides swapping out the tires). Our main activities will be a little bit of clearing, putting down chips on trails, moving down/cut wood for firewood. The tires are ballasted with beet juice and the tractor is 4WD. Thanks in advance!

Another vote for just try it first. I've got the exact same tractor and setup and I've been working on clearing out the back corner of my property pulling very large limbs out wisteria and blackberry and in 4wd and the diff lock I haven't had too many traction issues yet. That was with some soft ground but not full blown mud. FYI the Lown Performance diff lock pedal for the Kubota B series fits our tractors too if that little round rod just doesn't cut it for you.

 

[319Quahog]

FYI the Lown Performance diff lock pedal for the Kubota B series fits our tractors too if that little round rod just doesn't cut it for you.

Interesting. Another part I didn't know i was missing in my life. I may fab something up, but to keep my options open is your diff lock like this(see pic) and about 9/16 or 5/8" diameter?

DK4720SE diff lock lever(thumbnail):

 

[BubbaSam]

I just bought another tractor... a 2003 Kubota B7500 w/ 60" front snow blower, a 60" belly mower and a good size grass/leaf pickup bagger. It has turf tires on it. It has been VERY well taken care of I might add. However, the prior owner just told me the rear tires were filled with windshield washer fluid good for -20 degrees. I asked how long the fluid had been in the tires... and was told "It's whole life... so 20 years." While I think it is helpful for snow blowing and on ice... I am fearful of rusting the rims. Is that a possibility? Should I remove it or replace it with beet juice? Or are chains on the rear the best way to go? Suggestions???

 

[LouNY]

I just bought another tractor... a 2003 Kubota B7500 w/ 60" front snow blower, a 60" belly mower and a good size grass/leaf pickup bagger. It has turf tires on it. It has been VERY well taken care of I might add. However, the prior owner just told me the rear tires were filled with windshield washer fluid good for -20 degrees. I asked how long the fluid had been in the tires... and was told "It's whole life... so 20 years." While I think it is helpful for snow blowing and on ice... I am fearful of rusting the rims. Is that a possibility? Should I remove it or replace it with beet juice? Or are chains on the rear the best way to go? Suggestions???

I'm going to guess that your tires are tubeless?
I wouldn't worry about the rusting part so much as the loose of freeze protection over the 20 years.
It also makes a difference if it is going to be sitting outside or in a garage.

That said I am a believer in high quality chains, with my driveway you either use good chains or you will crash.
I don't care what type of tire and grooving or even studs there will be several times a winter that chains are the only safe way to traverse it.

 

[Mirage276]

Interesting. Another part I didn't know i was missing in my life. I may fab something up, but to keep my options open is your diff lock like this(see pic) and about 9/16 or 5/8" diameter?

DK4720SE diff lock lever(thumbnail):

View attachment 841133

Mine is 11/16 (17 mm fits better) the second tang doesn't quite reach but it's not rotating with the way it's clamped in there. They checked measurements for me and recommended this one, they have a few different models.