Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Pictures of your snow weapons

[grsthegreat]

I would think a crrbide stud can do some damage to concrete and asphalt just like chains... but not sure about that

 

[Pillager]

I would think a crrbide stud can do some damage to concrete and asphalt just like chains... but not sure about that

Carbide studs will chew up concrete and asphalt, any spinning will leave grooves for sure. My experience comes from carbide studs in snowmobile tracks. I currently run the screw in type which are less aggressive than the more typical thru hole with nut & backer type for snowmobile tracks. Even the screw in types will groove concrete just trying to run the snowmobile out of the building it's kept in if the track spins at all. That's without anywhere close to the downforce a studded tractor tire will have.

About 15 years ago the State of Minnesota tried to ban studs in snowmobile tracks for the damage they were doing to some paved multi-use trails and at paved road crossings. The snowmobile clubs put up a fierce fight and got the stud ban stopped due to the safety they provide the riders.

 

[m35techa2]

"beenthere", here are a few more pics from the cab build, and heater, blade

 

[PILOON]

For chain tensioners I cut strips of large tractor inner tubes to make like a big elastic and simply add 2 hardware store 'S' hooks.
Works quite well and they have lasted many years.

Another option that works is quality bungee cord, again using 'S' hooks. I cut a length somewhat less than the diameter of the installed fitted chains and add about 6 'S' hooks. To create the splice joint I used appropriate tubing and clamped tight in the vice to crimp the ends. Works great.
Challenge is finding quality bungee however but my local flee market always seems to have some and generally lengths up to 20 ft or so.

Something that might also work would be the black rubber straps that sell with 2 'S' hooks if long enough could be found to mimic the diameter of installed chains and then add a quantity of 'S' hooks to bind the chains tight.

While on topic of rubber straps, I resorted to holding down my new battery with them as the factory clamps simply would not fit my replacement battery installation. So far so good as battery has not shifted at all.\
LOL, battery that I had probably could drive the tractor home should I run fuel dry. (like 1200 CC on a 19 hp engine)
Great when you need to cycle plugs a few times more B4 she catches coughs and runs.

 

[powerscol]

I FINALLY had to put on the snow chains. have had aprox 20 inches of snowfall for this part of season. had a 39F day that made it a mess. now its back to 20's and icy.

The tool i got years ago for expanding the springs from tire chain comp[any has always been the downfall on the chain install. I've tries fence stretchers, come along, etc and all have been mixed reviews. Yesterday i had a brain spasm...why not try a ratchet strap.

this method made the job 2-3 times faster for me than previously. the only thing is you have to be real careful when you release pressure. i had no issues, but if your not careful i can see this could cause an issue. i'm going to try and think of a little better way to do this using some other type of ratchet strapping when i have time.

old tool View attachment 493105. this came with my chains. kind of useless as it didnt stretch very far.

This is how i did it this year. i rotated tire with tractor on floor jack, and stretched each connection. worked fast........real fast. Of course you need a step handy. View attachment 493106

Good solution. I have the same tool and have gotten it to work well if I hook it up correctly. I also have a short chain and hook to give it a bit more reach.

 

[Rustyiron]

I would worry about leaving marks in the driveways... will be interested to hear what you experience with these studs.

I used them last night into this morning and am well impressed with their added bite. I was plowing 24"-27" of snow on mostly ice. The guy I'm plowing for uses them & whatever it does to the surface is ok with him and he's explained to his customers that most of the winter, it's either studs or they can hand shovel it. You can't plow snow if the tires don't propel the machine! My feeling is that prior to the ice, a tractor does not have the gut's to spin a tire on bare pavement, and with only 2 studs in each bar any marking will be kept to a minimum especially with a whole bunch of rubber still hitting the road providing traction where it can. An observant operator is important as well. I'm satisfied that it's a good compromise between limiting normal chain damage, and traction.

 

[Dave M7040]

I use Trygg studded chains on the rear tires on my M7040.

I blow my two brother's paved driveways using them. I have the tractor but also have the gravel lane.
The only thing you see in the spring is small white dots the size of the chain studs. Like a polished mark.
A few weeks in the sun and they are oxidized like the rest of the driveway.

If you have to use tensioners, consider the metal ring in the center like this photo.
Everything is pulling to the center and not off to either side a bit. Ring is cheap at TSC.

These chains are a home made set of Standard tractor ladder style chains overlaid with Volvo military truck chains.


Dave M7040

 

[beenthere]

Dave M7040
Will be interested in hearing how those two sets of chains work out for you this winter. Hope they do well for you.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I use Trygg studded chains on the rear tires on my M7040.

Dave those Trygg chains look interesting. When I clear snow, I must travel a total of 13 paved miles, but I'd love a set of chains on my front wheels to hold the plow straight when pushing back snow banks.

 

[neogakai]

neogakai
I'm curious about your 1x3 Fasse valve... do you have a link to a source and more description of how you use it? Pics would be great too.

I tried to post a link but I needed to have 5 posts before i could. Now I guess I can!