Chains Need help deciding on studded or non-studded tire chains

[greenrider1]

I have a Kubota L5740 with R4 tires that I use for clearing snow on a 400' long gravel drive and hauling firewood out of the woods in the winter, and I've come to the conclusion that I should get some chains for better winter traction. I generally don't have any issues when clearing the driveway since it's straight and level. I usually don't have issues driving through snow to get in and out of the woods except for certain snow conditions when the snow is wet and packs down, which is almost like driving on ice. The other day I was hauling firewood from the woods on my 3 point carrier, and there was about 6-8" of recent snow on the ground. This wasn't an issue in the morning when the snow was powdery, but as the temps rose, the snow packed down and became extremely slippery, to the point where I had to call it a day after my 3rd load when I could barely make it back out of the woods. In doing some research, I've decided that I want the diamond pattern style chains, like the Ofa Eko European style, but I'm having a hard time deciding if I should get the studded or non-studded version. I'm concerned that the studded version will cause damage to my concrete when I drive into the barn, and the concrete apron in front of my house garage. I normally clear this apron with the F3080, unless we get a big storm and it's too deep for the smaller machine. I think I would prefer the diamond pattern due to the increased lateral traction compared to the ladder style when traversing side hills.

I see Ofa makes a non-studded version which would fit my rear 17.5L-24 rear tires, but they don't seem to have them that would fit the front 12-16.5 size. The other problem is they don't seem to have any distributors near me in central NY. Here's the link for the non-studded version: Tapio | Tractor and Snow chains | Products | OFA

Tirechains.com has a non-studded diamond pattern chain similar to the Ofa brand chain, but they only have them in a size that would fit my front tires. See pic below.

TBN member dennis103 posted a pic to a recent thread with what appears to be a diamond pattern chain on the rear tires of his L6060, which would also fit mine, but I'm not sure where he purchased them. See pic below. I'm waiting for a response to a PM I sent him recently.

So I'm looking for input from someone who has used either or both styles of this chain. I'm leaning toward the non-studded version simply because I think they would provide me with enough traction for my conditions, and be a little easier on my concrete surfaces. If anyone has any vendor info on where I could purchase this style, that would also be helpful.

 

[Jstpssng]

Studded for sure, if there's ice under the snow you will be glad that you have them. You will need precautions on the concrete floor though..

 

[radios1]

there's v bar chains too, which are great for ice, I use those.. you can put plywood down on the concrete!..

 

[CobyRupert]

Yes, studded ( or v-bar) are more extreme, but is that “better”.
I think “better” for you is a percentage game. How often will they make a difference in being able to go someplace, versus not being able, or not wanting to drive them on your concrete.
For me, the advantage gained for option of being able to take them on my pavement outweighed a rare day (which I’ve yet to experience) when I absolutely need studded.
Your experience, terrain, and ice conditions may vary.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

It sounds like you need the non studded. I have the studded aqualine chains on my 5083E and they are aggressive. I would not drive them on concrete or pavement without expecting damage.

 

[LouNY]

All of our Euro style chains are studded.
On the farm they go thru the cow barn on concrete daily with no concrete damage.
On the other tractors they get several miles a day on paved roads.
My driveway is gravel, but if I go over to the farm it's a bit over 3 miles each way on pavement,
I don't see any pavement damage from any off those areas.
I plow across a paved road the only time I see any scratching on pavement is if I use 2wd for tight turning and twisting
on the pavement while pushing hard, then it's just surface scratches.
Going non studded you will give up a lot of traction.
Dryden is quite a ways from me, my last ones came from up in St. Johnsberry Vt.,
others have come from Reed Supply over in New Hampshire.

 

[John_Mc]

For me, it was studded, without question, and I've tried common versions of studded chain designs (V-bar ladder style, then V-bar Duo-Grip) before finally getting the Ofa Eko chains I should have bought in the first place. I have hills and wanted all the traction I could get for my rear wheels. Since I use have the loader or my forestry grapple on the front, and either my box blade or a snow-blower on the rear, I've been able to get by without chains on the front. If I owned a snowplow, I'm sure I'd feel differently about the need for front chains.

I put scrap plywood down on the floor of the garage where my tractor is parked (if I had some old rubber conveyor belt or a rubber horse stall mat, I'd use that). The concrete apron in front of my garage only extends out about 1.5 to 2 feet, so it's not too difficult to keep my chained up rear wheels off of it. With the hill in my driveway, and some other icy spots I need to get to on my property and on the nearby gravel town roads, studs or V-bars are a necessity. I simply could not get by without them on ice, and really appreciate the extra traction in my woods, whether it's icy or not.

If I had a few spots where damage might be a concern, I'd either just be very careful not to spin tires when in that area, or use something else to clear that area (I have a snowblower for our old Craftsman Garden Tractor which doesn't get used much these days).

 

[greenrider1]

I appreciate all the replies. I've read mixed reviews regarding the studded chains damaging concrete. Some say they do and some say they don't. I guess this might also depend on the surface finish and people's opinions on damage vary. I do have access to free used conveyor belting from the local gravel pit, so if I decide to go studded, I would definitely lay strips down on my barn floor where I park. I run studded tires on our vehicles during the winter, and the only time they leave marks is if the front tires are turned without moving the vehicle, which is easy to avoid. The floor finish in my barn is machine troweled smooth, and I'd hate to gouge it up. I'm quite picky about things, and every time I get a gouge in the floor, which happens on occasion if I drop something heavy, I patch the gouge with JB Weld and sand it smooth once it hardens. These chains are definitely expensive, so I'd really like to get the style best suited to my needs on the first try.

Thanks, Ryan

 

[oosik]

When I had the Ford 1700 4WD - I had an extremely HD set of V-bar tractor chains for both front & rear tires. The V-bar WILL scratch concrete if you spin the tires. Otherwise - it's OK.. Unless you are some type of "hot rodding" kid - you will never notice the difference.

If you decide to get chains - get something that will provide good traction. Either studded or V-bar. Why spend $$$ on something that MIGHT do the job.

 

[jmc]

.... I usually don't have issues driving through snow to get in and out of the woods except for certain snow conditions when the snow is wet and packs down, which is almost like driving on ice. The other day I was hauling firewood from the woods on my 3 point carrier, and there was about 6-8" of recent snow on the ground. This wasn't an issue in the morning when the snow was powdery, but as the temps rose, the snow packed down and became extremely slippery, to the point where I had to call it a day after my 3rd load when I could barely make it back out of the woods...

I've got the same problem with my R4's near freezing temperatures. I think it's like how ice skates work- by forming a water film between the contact surfaces. Did you engage the "posi-traction"? It's easy to forget. I can plow this drive uphill with bare R4's unless it's around 32F.