Snow New Snow Today

[whiteh2o]

Picture speeks for itself. Best to all in 2009.

 

[whiteh2o]

Photoshop = no spell check.

Wishes

 

[whiteh2o]

Two more feet of snow yesterday and today (12/28). I have figured out I need some front chains. Got stuck in soft wet snow with ice under the snow. Used the FEL to slowly push the tractor back out of the ruts. I also figured out keeping the bucket full of snow while snow blowing gives added front end traction in 4WD.

If it keeps snowing this much I'm going to have to call in help (of course they will want cash) with the heavy(er) equipment (cat or skidsteer) to move things around. I'm having a hard time keeping up since the house is 50 miles up in the mountains and I'm not there 24/7.

Happy New Year!

 

[whiteh2o]

Reviewed the pros/cons about running chains on the front only.

Question please: Does anyone run rear chains on a 2615 without wheel spacers? I am very concerned about clearence. If so, what type of chains and where did you get them?

Thank you.

 

[LBrown59]

I'm having a hard time keeping up since the house is 50 miles up in the mountains and I'm not there 24/7.

Happy New Year!

What's bad is if the roads get to where you can't get up there.

 

[whiteh2o]

What's bad is if the roads get to where you can't get up there.

Most of it is a major north/south route through Idaho and it's always in good condition. The county road (pavement) is plowed past the 600 yard private lane. Snow boots get me the rest of the way in.

 

[JDeerekid]

Nice tractor and snow. We had alot of snow up until the temperatures came up to about 60 for a couple days and it down poured rain. I wish it would get really cold again to freeze up the ground and start snowing.
I noticed that you have a tooth bar on your bucket. Are you going to take that off so you dont dig up the ground???
With that snowblower you should not have a need to bring in the big guys to clear out
I dont know about running front chains on your tractor but I have heard many people do run them on there tractors. Have not heard many bad things about them just dont let the tire spin or you risk something breaking. I have thought about running chains on the front of my tractor but drive on the road to much and dont want to risk breaking something.

Good luck with all that snow and send some my way. Also love the picture but need many more.

Here are some pics and videos I made of the snow we have had so far this year. 2008-2009-tractors-snow-pics

Feel free to add your pics to this thread

 

[whiteh2o]

I noticed that you have a tooth bar on your bucket. Are you going to take that off so you dont dig up the ground???/QUOTE]

I left the tooth bar on for the snow. I bring the loader level indicator up past level so I'm not digging up the gravel/road mix and the bucket glides on the 'teeth' in 'float' and I push the snow. Leaves a little snow so I can have a base and I'm not digging up the driveway. Seems to work well except when I have two feet of wet snow.

The snowblower works well when there 'more' snow. With 4 or 5 inches seems to just 'spit' a little out. I push small snowfall with the FEL.

The other problem I had was that there is an existing house at the end of the private road. They rent it out when they are not using it. Seems the snowmobilers (renters) couldn't make it all the way down the road and pulled into mine with two feet of snow and dug ruts all the way through it with the 4x4 trucks and chains. I had words with the snowmobilers, but, they were very sorry and they really didn't have any other options to turn around. The 'property' management place has yet to return my call. I'm sure they are avoiding me like a bad bad cold. It's not going to be a friendly conversation. This is the first winter I have been there. If they want to rent it they need to clear the main private road 'past' my two acres. They have in the past, however, they do a crappy job and I just clean it up and widen the road with the blower.

Ordered chains for the front today. I have some ideas about the rear tires. Hardened self tapping 1/4" screws with 7/16" hex heads into the R4 lugs. Basically studing the rears. If I go that direction, I'll post the results.

Regards

 

[BobG_in_VA]

I gotta add a line here....I'm from back here in VA...I came out to Idaho elk hunting in the fall of '07...Section 26 in the River of No Return Wilderness (the name should give you folks an idea of what its like...). On the 1st of Oct 07 we got a foot of snow at 9500 feet..It continued to snow ever day and every night till we had almost 3 ft of snow by the 5th of Oct..(the guide said this was about what its like up there on Nov 30, not Oct 5th...)...Anyway, it was totally beautiful looking at the pics I took but totally gruelling trying to get thru it...my brother got a 5 x5 on Tuesday, I got 4 x 4 on Friday...almost got a mountain lion on Thursday....anyway, Idaho is beautiful and pristine...pls keep it that way!! BobG in VA

 

[BigE_]

Ordered chains for the front today. I have some ideas about the rear tires. Hardened self tapping 1/4" screws with 7/16" hex heads into the R4 lugs.

I'm thinking you'll need at least 3/8 inch if not 1/2 inch long screws, or those will be pulling out pretty quick. If you go this route, I'm interested in seeing how it turns out. I don't get enough snow in my area to justify chains, but this would be a neat trick in a pinch.

-Steve

 

[whiteh2o]

Ordered 1/2" to start with. We will see how they work. 500 of them are coming in (goldmax ice screws). I may do the ATV's, the Harley, and anything else that I can (not really...ok maybe the ATV).

I'm going to stay consertive on this adventure. Front chains come in next week. Since I'm running backwards blowing snow, I'm not to concerned about only running chains on the front 'yet'.

I'll take pics and post overall results. I'll run it up and down the road and see how they hold up.

 

[Wyld Bill]

I have he same tractor, same issues, same questions. Search my name & you'll see what I mean.

Oh & those are Ice Screws. I used to Ice race with dirtbikes. Those screws are for ice use only. We used to wrap our tires until we got out on the ice then finally remeove the tire wraps to race or play. Then before exiting ice,...tires get wrapped up again. As soon as you drive off the ice the screws get ruined quickly.

 

[whiteh2o]

I have he same tractor, same issues, same questions. Search my name & you'll see what I mean.

Oh & those are Ice Screws. I used to Ice race with dirtbikes. Those screws are for ice use only. We used to wrap our tires until we got out on the ice then finally remeove the tire wraps to race or play. Then before exiting ice,...tires get wrapped up again. As soon as you drive off the ice the screws get ruined quickly.

After another snow filled new years eve I am going to break down and order a set of chains for the rear also. I think the clearence will be fine. The only clearence issues I may have is at the wheel/stabilizers. I think there is plenty of room. I don't want to risk running chains on the front only and breaking something. One thing I found is the front tires don't turn when using the loader pushing snow. You had better be at a 'straight shot' into whatever you plowing because that's the direction your headed. So chains on the front are necessary for steering. The front and backs will be 2-link/ladder 3/8" chain (tirechains.com). I am not going to run v-bar because my garage has an epoxied floor and v-bar would tear the crap out of it. It makes it easy to squeegee the water out.

I found an old set of tire chains I used to run on my old truck this weekend. I cut them up and made chains for my 700 Arctic Cat 4x4 auto ATV. I have a 54" ATV blade for it that I can use for the smaller snow removal verses trying to unhook the snowblower and attach the straight blade to the tractor. Even with the quick hitch, the snow blower removal/attaching is not a piece of cake. It's an older Allied/Buhler that's not real quick hitch friendly (already modified it once). The used snowblower price was right at $900.00 last spring tho. For those up there who are moving the snow verses blowing it out of the way the plies of snow are as high as a big loader will pile it.

I also talked with a friend that's moving snow up there professionally. He goes by the main road everytime he plows. He runs a big loader and cat. He is going to give me a bid on keeping the main road open when I can't make a 100 mile round trip (and three hours of plowing) during the week. He will get me into my driveway and I will do the rest. He can probably do the main road in less then a half an hour. We will see how much he wants for his services. It may be worth the price. We shall see.

Happy new year to all. The short weeks are over now and reality sets in. Hope my job stays intact with the economy as it is. Me plowing my own snow full time doesn't pay very well.

Regards

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I am not going to run v-bar because my garage has an epoxied floor and v-bar would tear the crap out of it. It makes it easy to squeegee the water out.

If it were me, I would put down some rubber belting to protect the floor with any chains. And in worse case, at least some wood.

 

[Slippy]

Man...I think you need a cab!

 

[srs]

Picture speeks for itself. Best to all in 2009.

Good morning/afternoon! If possible could you post a few pictures of the area you live in. Sure looks beautiful!