MELTDOWN - I don't need no stinkin chains!

[skidoo]

Well here it is this year. Seems we always get one or more events each year with icy conditions. I've tried it with regular chains and it made little difference. I then traded them and got some very heavy (expensive too) V-Bar chains that seem a little large too, but does the trick on this kind of ice. But, since I got them a couple years ago, I haven't used them since. Turns out that once I spread some gravel about, not only do I NOT need chains to get around, but neither do the vehicles that come up and down the drive! The 2520 with FEL and Rear blade works great for this...

 

[art]

That looks like central NY! You are right about the chains, unless the unit wearing them has enough weight to get the chains to go into the ice they are of no help. We have found turf tire to be better on ice then industrial or ag tires for traction!

On a grade like what you have when you start to slide the pucker factor can really get you!

 

[scott_vt]

Good Afternoon skidoo,
Wow thats some serious ice conditions you have there ! Glad your able to handle it with your tractor setup that way ! I certainly cant argue with your success !

I seem to need chains on my loader tractor, its quite a bit heavier than your 2520. I believe its over 5000 lbs with the FEL and then I added another 700lbs on the 3pt with some ballast, but it seems to do ok in the winter with that setup.

Unfortunately one stretch of my driveway is very steep, which is kind of a pain, but we deal with it !

 

[lungdoc]

Looks relatively flat which may explain why you don't need chains so much! I found a massive difference on our Deere 4320 - can now use FEL uphill pushing snow whereas couldn't get up same hill without chains in greasy conditions. We do have R4's and no sand/gravel spread - of course if you spread enough grip material you don't need anything on the tires!

 

[George2615]

I put a set of chains on the front tires of my tractor along with about 160 lb. of weight on the front end. The chain help a little bit with steering (better than without) when the loader is in float mode. But when the bucket is full of snow like today's 10" you have to lift the bucket about an inch or you can't steer, you just go straight. I had a plow blade I made up to fit the loader arms but the only way it works is when its straight. If you angle the blade in float mode the snow pushes the tractor left or right depending on which way its angled. Also have about 800 lb. of rear ballast which has helped a lot. Without it I would spin the tires quite a bit.
Bottom line is front chains and rear ballast and using the loader are working for me removing snow.

 

[skidsteer.ca]

A tooth bucket work farely well for roughing the ice up too.
Krn

 

[lungdoc]

Forgot to mention - a benefit of chains is they will rough up the ice for other vehicles. Vbar is especially good for this. Works less well with extremely hard ice of course (depending on weight of vehicle as well).