Is it worth it to change back???

[JasonMac]

I would just consider it something to watch out for, kind of like a freak accident that can happen once in every great while. Don't blame the tractor. This would have happened on almost any machine.

 

[jdbower]

Forget the chains, if you REALLY want traction you should get these guys!

 

[dirtworksequip]

jdbower, beleive it or not even those tracks can break traction under the right conditions leading to the same kind of ride jcmseven took. It would be interesting to see which would do better in packed snow conditions. Rubber tracks or chains? My money is on the chains. The rubber tracks would give you more floatation in deep snow, but in the steep driveway situation jcmseven was in............I'll go with the chains.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[jdbower]

That is an interesting question, it depends a lot on the rubber they use. My summer tires have much worse ice traction than my winter tires despite a larger contact patch thanks to the winter tire's specialized compounds. I priced out Mattracks for my truck once, given the 5-figure price tag I'd say they're very well made!

My guess is that soft snow the Mattracks would win since they'll have a much larger contact area and will float while crushable ice the chains would win since they'll dig in and provide traction. However, "black ice" on pavement or ice that can't be crushed would depend a lot more on the compounds used. Needless to say, the chains are cheaper

 

[Muff]

Guys,
FYI, I have to agree that some conditions are not going to be passable, plowable, driveable, regardless of set-up or machine. For example, we got an ice and snow storm last night, and although I left my 3320 parked, I was in my 3 yard wheel loader and it didn't fair too well on FLAT ground under these conditions. Keep in mind, this is 4 wheel drive, and weighs in at about 30K LBS. The freezing rain, and dropping temps played havoc with this machine and all of my others.

I agree that chains will alleviate the problem, almost certainly on a gravel base.

Also, having been forced to trade a newer machine in the past, I cringe whenever I hear someone mentioning that option. Usually, the dealer is the only winner, and even if you sell to a private party, you will have taken the initial LARGE depreciation hit from when the machine was new. JMO.

 

[Superduper]

Visited Yosemite national park back in December and all the maintenance vehicles regardless of type (tow, plows, tractors, utility, quads) out there are equipped with chains which I reckon won't be removed til spring. My Hummer H2 was not permitted to enter the park until I came back with chains. I always thought that chains were optional with 4WD vehicles equipped with snow tires but that is not the case. While they might not require you to have them installed, they must be in possession at all times to be legal. There is a reason for chain requirements.

What we can learn here is that chains really are the best form of traction devices on snow. As far as operating on the drive before without issues, it is best to keep in mind that traction might have been marginal the other times and that cushion was lost this time around when the UPS truck drove down the drive. Traction is a difficult thing to understand, especially on hills. Just know that traction on hills is GREATLY reduced and if you should ever break traction, it is very bad news indeed. You'll probably need a physics degree to calculate all the variables but suffice it to say that traction is FRICTION and with ice/snow, there is very little. Add in another factor like, say, Inertia (like a 4500 lb tractor would exert, for instance) and you get the picture.

 

[yankeerider]

I spelled buryed incorrectly. It is "buried". Sometimes physicians are smart, but it doesn't mean we can spell.

John M

I can understand why a physician would naturally be inclined to avoid clear use of the word "buried".

We won't hold the misspelling against you-I'd blame it on a faulty keyboard!

 

[jdmar]

Wow, what a similar situation. I have a drive with two very steep sections. Yes my wife has slid off once. My tractor won't make it up the steeper hill in snow. I also get drifts in the steep spot up to about 5 feet. I am also a physician and have to get to work at all hours (emergency department).

Now the differences. My wife's car is in the garage...always. My tractor is outside (sadly) until I build a barn on this new property. And when the snow is bad I start the dozer!

My two cents:
-wife's car is indoors...you and her car will be warmer all winter
-chains

Options:
-unhappy wife...and then you
-rear or front mount snow blower for the tractor
-carport, tarp, extra garage bay(s)
-convince wife to let you get a small dozer!

Good Luck
Peter

 

[Nuru]

I got a similar scenario coming up when I trde in my 4310 on a cab tractor. however, I will just move the car in tthe 3rd bay into the shed and the tractor will occupy the third bay until I get the door opening to the shed/detached garage increased from 8 ft to 9 feet or figure another way to lower the tractor from 88" to 83! .

 

[turbotime]

BXowner had a great post. I find the R4's are a dangerous tire for winter use, and I've had my share of close calls using them. I think the Turfs would do better than R4s, but when it comes to uphill yes you would need chains. I used to drive a Kubota snowblower with FEL and never had a problem for some reason, but I had AGs on. Then came the new 3520 with the R4s and they didn't perform nearly as well as AGs on the Kubota...

Anyway, good luck with your tires!