Snow Equipment Owning/Operating new tires or chains?

[Kosmo]

Hi all,

I've got a decision to make. I've got a NH 1715 I use for many chores occasionally at my part time cabin. So it doesn't get a lot of use during the year. Snow removal on my 3/4 mile hilly gravel driveway is important 2 or 3 times a year with significant snow. I've just replaced my front tires with new (r1) but my rears have only about 10-20% tread remaining. With that said, I usually have no problem doing other chores but they don't do so well in deeper snow. Should I spend the money now and get new tires (lots $) or buy chains ( less $). Which perform better in snow? New tires (r1) or chains on old tires. Thanks for any input!!

 

[silvertramp]

Chains... Especially if you have ice.

 

[JB4310]

I don't have experience with r1's but if it were any other tire I would say chains for sure.
Especially if it's not a 4x4, the chains would make working in the woods much more productive.

JB.

 

[Gods Country]

If your current setup works for you the rest of the time I vote chains.

 

[MMagis]

Chains for sure.

 

[Kosmo]

Thanks for the input guys. Because of the $ I was leanin' that way. Just needed some push.:thumbsup:
By the way. Any chain type do you guys prefer for snow? Any reommendations where to buy online? Thanks again.

 

[Jay4200]

Thanks for the input guys. Because of the $ I was leanin' that way. Just needed some push.:thumbsup:
By the way. Any chain type do you guys prefer for snow? Any reommendations where to buy online? Thanks again.

Chains on old tires will definitely work better than new tires.

I recommend getting 2-link ladder chains. You can also get them with V-bars if you really want to be able to climb anything, anywhere. With R1s, you might be better off with Duo-grip chains, but I still like the ladders myself.

I got mine from tirechain.com. Almost half the cost of the local guys, and received about 3 days after order.

JayC

 

[crazyal]

A good set of chains will cost you but would last a lifetime. If you choose a set that just falls between the lugs then you've wasted money. Mine were very expensive but after a winter of use, about 40 hrs they still look new. They cost as much as a set of tires but the design will never fall between the lugs and they offer unbelievable traction.

 

[Kosmo]

Being a DIYer I think I'll buy a set of v bar Ladder chains at half the cost of new tires and link the ladder rungs (every other one) together with my own chain. Will help heep the chain out of the lug valleys and save me a little $.

 

[JerryK]

If you drive on concrete or blacktop, think twice about V bars... I have a set of standard chains, and they work pretty good on ice. I have a V bar set, and they chop up the concrete pretty bad, even if you try to be carefull. Some guys lay plywood down to drive on in their barn. The V bars and small link logging type chains work great, but they just don't care what they bite into. Just a thought....

 

[Lightnsound]

I agree with getting chains, the amount of traction that they provide, and about the damage V-bars can do. Just ask my garage floor what v-bars do to concrete.

I just got the driveway paved so I will be declawing my v-bars with a grinder before winter gets here.

 

[dave1949]

A good set of chains will cost you but would last a lifetime. If you choose a set that just falls between the lugs then you've wasted money. Mine were very expensive but after a winter of use, about 40 hrs they still look new. They cost as much as a set of tires but the design will never fall between the lugs and they offer unbelievable traction.

I have those same chains. They are awesome.

They are also heavy to put on :laughing:

I use recycled rubber horse stall mats on my concrete floor. The v-bars are hard on concrete as Jerry said.

Also, since your tires are about worn down, allow extra length in the chain if you can, or be thinking ahead about that, such that it would fit around a new tire.

I vote for chains over new tires by a mile.
Dave

 

[JB4310]

I have those same chains. They are awesome.

They are also heavy to put on :laughing:

I use recycled rubber horse stall mats on my concrete floor. The v-bars are hard on concrete as Jerry said.

Also, since your tires are about worn down, allow extra length in the chain if you can, or be thinking ahead about that, such that it would fit around a new tire.

I vote for chains over new tires by a mile.
Dave

Good advice, especially with R1's, as the difference in circumference between new and worn down would be greatest with the ags.

JB

 

[silvertramp]

I have Duo-grips from tirechains.com. Darn near unstopable even on ice. Reasonable price also.

 

[Ohming]

My driveway is a hilly, long, gravel challenge also and have used a few different tractors for snow removal. CHAINS -- on all 4 tires, the fronts especially on hilly terain. Get the best chain you can afford, but 2 sets of a simple ladder will be better than 1 set of high end IMHO. My buddy came up last Fall with some gently used Semi Truck chains from the local recycler with his chain tool. 3 hours later we were done and many hundreds of dollars ahead -- 1 chain even fit the rear with no modification! if you are handy, this could save you a bucket of cash.

 

[SensibleNick]

Being a DIYer I think I'll buy a set of v bar Ladder chains at half the cost of new tires and link the ladder rungs (every other one) together with my own chain. Will help heep the chain out of the lug valleys and save me a little $.

You can go one step further if you fancy.. just make your own.
https://picasaweb.google.com/sensiblenick/TractorChains#

 

[arrow]

The aspect of chains falling between lugs is a myth. They only fall between lugs when you are looking at them on the top of the tire. At the bottom where the tire meets the road, they are the prominent entity digging into the ground. Just do not put them on dead tight. In this picture it is clearly evident that the chain is hitting the surface before the tire. Any chain will help you out including 4 link ladder chain.

 

[chevy292]

I have Duo-grips from tirechains.com. Darn near unstopable even on ice. Reasonable price also.

I have these same chains from the same company. I absolutely love them. My machine is 4wheel drive, with these chains on, the machine will do far more pushing in 2wheel drive then in 4wheel drive without them. I wanted a little more so I made a set of front chains out of an old pair of truck chains I had laying around. The width was perfect so all I did was shorten them to the right length. I saved a couple hundred bucks converting them.

 

[joeyd]

You will have to decide on 2 or 4 link, v-bar or not but I would highly reccommend Tirechains.com!!! Their prices are good and their customer service is even better!!!! They are knowledgeable and very helpful if you have questions. :thumbsup:

 

[tcreeley]

I used to have an old Farmall cub with a front mounted plow. I put chains on it and plowed my 2 driveways with it. The chains made all of the difference. One was an old truck tire chain I fooled with and the other an old piece of skidder tire chain. I supplied the missing pieces with bits of other chains until I had a set.