Problems with BX24 and my hill!

[dlinde31]

I purchased a BX24 this past summer with the intent of a little yard work, but my biggest reason for getting the machine was for blowing snow on my driveway. I should say STEEP driveway! This is the way I have my tractor set up...

I have Kubota's 50" snoblower on the front
Wheel weights on the machine
I kept the backhoe on the rear

We just got 3 inches of sloppy snow and it had problems slipping, even with the wheel weights and backhoe still on the machine. I also put front chains on the BX24.

Questions? Can you put rear chains on the BX, I have tried but there seems to be no clearance? Would taking the backhoe off help in anyway? Should I keep the backhoe on and try adding more weight to the front somehow?

Any suggestions or comments would be great!

Thanks, DDL

 

[16valex]

I would take the backhoe off, it is too bulky to move around. I found that bar tire is better in snow, what type of tire do you have on yours right now? I also filled my rear tires with calcium. occasionally, I encountered some sliperage but this is when I have a reason to use my lock diff.

 

[mswlogo]

Which tires do you have? I was told by dealer that Turfs are best in snow and have read that here in threads also.

He also indicated I could put chains on.

 

[Soundguy]

While I'm not in snow.. i don't see how a dimaond tread would be better than a bar tread in snow.. hmm...

soundguy

 

[RayCo]

I agree that taking the backhoe off is probably a good idea. I have a couple other tractors aside from my BX, and I've plowed snow with them both. The one with turf tires with chains is far superior to the one with bar tires. Chains are a must on my driveway, which is also ridiculously steep.

 

[teachdocs]

While I'm not in snow.. i don't see how a dimaond tread would be better than a bar tread in snow.. hmm...

soundguy

I have used both turf and bar tread in the snow. The bars are better if you are actually driving thru deeper snow (pulling the kids on sleds, checking on the cattle, etc) or if you are pushing snow on a gravel driveway.
The treads are equally as good, if not better on paved surfaces when you are pushing snow. They have more ground contact and the sipes provide a bit more edge traction, especially if there is some hard pack or ice glaze.
Since I tend to do some of both, I use the ag tread all the time.
My neighbor has turfs and a paved driveway. He has talked about chains too, but don't think he will need them.
If someone has used chains, will you please post the specifics about them so we can all benefit?
Thanks

 

[mswlogo]

While I'm not in snow.. i don't see how a dimaond tread would be better than a bar tread in snow.. hmm...

soundguy

Snow tires on your car a soft rubber (that's why you don't run them in the summer) hot pavement will eat them up. Soft rubber grabs packed snow/ice better. The turfs are soft rubber, the R4's are very hard. R4's might do better in deep fluffy snow. But packed snow or Ice the turfs do better. Turfs also have more rubber on the road and more little sideways grooves to grip ice. They are also easier to put chains on.

There was a long thread I read here on the subject and someone replied he had a whole fleet of commercial tractors for plowing and he had turfs on all of them.

 

[Egon]

There are also different thread patterns for turfs.

 

[dlinde31]

Thanks for the quick replies.

I do have the R4 treads. I thought that they would be the best option. Going with turf tires seems like a weird way of thinking? But if it works, I would be more than willing to try it. I believe that no matter which tire I go with, chains will be neccessary. I have put a set of old chains on the machine, but am worried that they will "slap" when traveling and eat up my rear fenders.

Just a couple concerns.

Thanks, DDL

 

[SeymourBota]

2-link chains on the rear tires, which should be able to mount tight to the tire, would be your best bet.

I just installed mine yesterday and no tensioners are even necessary.

Chains and a foot planted on the diff lock should get you through anything the tractor is actually capable of navigating.