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

[gauthier]

I bet on same size tractor,same size and weight,etc,,that industrial tires would give you a little more traction than ag's ,,this is both without chains and on ice.??

 

[beenthere]

gauthier
That isn't what I have found out, having had both R-1's and R-4's.
But I prefer the R-4's for being tougher (more ply's), wider footprint (less tracking up lawn), and staying cleaner (less mud/snow between the lugs).

But the R-4's have less traction that need weight and for some conditions...chains.

 

[RoyJackson]

But the R-4's have less traction that need weight and for some conditions...chains.

Yepper....just got to determine when it's better to back out before you're really stuck! The loader does a pretty good job in pushing you out of trouble...at least in snow.
Also, substantial (>500 lbs) rear ballast helps a heck of a lot with R-4's.

This will be my first winter season with turfs (previous tractors had R-4's or bar-turf...both of which got stuck on occasion). This will also be my first use of chains in over 30 years...going to be interesting!

 

[Jay4200]

Your tractor should push twelve inches of snow easily. My ATV with a 54" blade will push twelve inches of snow.

Not a chance. An ATV is WAY better in the snow than a tractor - I've plowed with my ATV for 10 years, and it can run rings around my (stuck) tractor. The OP has R4s - which are pretty much the worst thing you have on your tractor for snow. I recently got chains for my tractor all the way around from tirechain.com. The 2-link 41x14-20 ladders for the back were just over $300 + shipping. 2-link V-bars for the front were $100.

JayC

 

[devildog1]

I to have a B3200 with FEL and Land Pride 6" back Blade. My driveway is about 250' and paved, i have no problems moving the snow from one end to the other. Have loaded tires all the way around. In upstate N.Y. we do get our fair share of snow. However Chains will mark blacktop is you spin your tires. Another option would be a front or rear snow blower, slower going but no banks and almost no stoping it.
DevilDog

 

[beenthere]

....... An ATV is WAY better in the snow than a tractor - I've plowed with my ATV for 10 years, and it can run rings around my (stuck) tractor. ..........JayC

Must be why my neighbor calls me on the big snows to come down and help him move what his ATV won't move.
But then, I enjoy helping him out and on the light snows of a couple inches, he will come up and clean up my drive as he can move it with no problem. I only have to push it on back from there.

And I will admit that my tractor was stuck once last winter in a wet 12" snow that became very slippery underneath, and he could get through with his ATV to come back up to my shed for my chains to put on the stuck tractor. A lot of spinning to get back up the slippery drive, but made it and it was a great help to me.

 

[easygo]

I pushed snow with R4 and turf tires and with or without chains. I can safely say that either will push snow but ANY tire with chains will be much better than any other tire without chains. You could chain up some 4th of July balloons and even that will work better in snow then a tire without.

 

[gauthier]

Thats true,any tire with chains will have more traction than any with out,in snow,ice,mud etc,,,:laughing:

But I decided after heavy snows last winter,I didn't need any,,if you have a really deep wet snow,,a dozer is what you need,[or a very big tractor],,


Yeah,my neighbor was snowed in last winter with 2 ft of heavy snow,,and his atv didn't get him unsnowed either,my ck30 without chains,did.

 

[RADIUM]

The only thing I can offer, a larger tractor 4060 , calcium chloride loaded tires, but here's my experience with R4 1400 foot driveway in the picture you can see that slight hill. Well after two years of not having a problem, she went right off to the right side of the picture into the ditch last year, How it didn't overturn I'll never know Scared the **** out of me change my shorts and called my brother with his bulldozer to come pull me back on the road, no damage done to the tractor thank God, Just my pride as my brother was laughing at me ;-). Went right out and bought chains. The next two snowstorms made the world of difference didn't even need four-wheel drive anymore. the only downside when I take care of my neighbors roads the chains rattle you a little bit on the highway I can live with that rather than being upside down in the ditch. my vote is chains you can always take them off if you think you don't need them, But you'll be cursing yourself if you're stuck or slide off your driveway Take care

 

[RoyJackson]

The only thing I can offer, a larger tractor 4060 , calcium chloride loaded tires, but here's my experience with R4 1400 foot driveway in the picture you can see that slight hill...

Is that a snowblower on your 3PH, RADIUM?

 

[RADIUM]

yes indeed 84 inch 34 inch height, works great . I actually was trying to sell it, but it's grown on me, backing up isn't too bad anymore take care

 

[Mande1992]

I've been plowing our 1/2 mile, uphill driveway for the past 5 years. The first time I tried five years ago was with an early snow and I didn't have the chains on. What a scary ride, drop the bucket and the blade, and hold on. :ashamed: Tractor sat at the bottom until the snow melted a few days later.

Picking up a 'new-to-me' L3400 on Friday! Looking forward to some snow now having 4wd, but it sounds like I better order some chains before December

 

[ixcski]

I have survived without chains for the past four years plowing with my JD3720 (R4's), but just placed my order for chains tonight. My gravel drive is only ~300 feet, but does have a decent grade. Have moved some deep snow over the years, but once or twice a year we've seen that wet, heavy snow, which packs down nicely. It's funny how when it doesn't happen for a while, you kinda forget the pucker factor, heart pumping, adrenaline rush, when you are sliding down the hill and grasping to get that bucket dug into the ground. :ashamed: Last year was enough for me, I placed the order tonight. The wet snow will be here before we know it

 

[beenthere]

ixcski
:welcome:
I know that "ride" well enough, that I shouldn't wait to put the chains on....but I do.

 

[yooper jim]

Just put chains on the BX2660 w/turf tires. Got them from tirechains.com and got their chain tensioners. Got the 2 link spacing. Nice product and easy to install. I use the jack the wheel up method. Should have done this several weeks ago. Lucked out on the weather and snow so far. :thumbsup:

 

[Sgt Schulz]

I just moved into a house in the moutains of Utah. We got about 4 feet with ice under that. My driveway and road is about vertical. My l2800 with R4s was a very fast sled. After 2.5 hours made it back up the hill. I put some car chains and binders on the front just now and went up and down the hill with no problem. I have some old back hoe chains I have been trying to fix for the rear. I''m worried about clearence problems. I may have to break down and buy spacers and go to tirechains.com Chains are a must here.

 

[skywaterbanjo]

I have the Aquiline chains for Mongo (B7800) and couldn't do what I do without them. I love how easy they are to put on. I do have a sloped drive (gravel) that is fairly steep.

I tried pushing/blowing without chains 2 times. Easy decision for me.

 

[jdonovan]

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)??

Can you get by with out. Yes
Will you be happier with. yes.

I've got a BX22 and had less than acceptable traction. Now that I've gotten the chains, I'm MUCH happier.

 

[HarleyEnough]

I can speak for tirechains.com. They are actually in my hometown and have been selling tire chains for longer than I've been alive. They are pretty good to work with.

 

[jdonovan]

I can speak for tirechains.com.

+1 or is that +3?

I've gotten 3 sets from them for various equipment.

Always helpful folks and good products.