Snow Rear wheel traction in snow

[LHS Inc]

Just got my 2010 3520 about a month ago and I love it. My question is if I push snow is my 450 lb. scrape blade enough weight to get decent traction to the rear wheels. I don't want to fill the tires because I got this tractor for overseedeing, aerating and other work in and around lawns and I don't want to leave any tracks. The terrain around my neck of the woods doesn't have the slope issues I've read about in other posts. Thanks for any input.

 

[RalphVa]

My Gravely with only 2 wheels driving it wasn't worth a darn in the snow, to push its 4' wide snow plow. Had to use either chains on the 2 wheels or put on the dual wheels.

My 4010 is great in the snow with turf tires and 4wd. It has loaded tires. I've FEL in front and back blade in the rear.

My driveway does not have much slope. There's a small rise about 1/2 way along it.

Ralph

 

[LHS Inc]

I failed to mention I have the 300CX FEL on my 3520 MFWD. I did think about chains for the tires but the filled tires aren't going to happen. We don't have that much snow in a normal winter here in Maryland altho we got hit hard last year by three big storms. I did tell one of my lawn care customers about my tractor and they asked for a quote for snow removal. Its about a mile from where I live so I could drive there with out any problem. I just need some insight on what I might be getting into.

 

[Egon]

You should be OK. Four wheel drive will help a lot. If you still have problems chains make a great big difference. Be aware that there are different types of chains.

 

[ihuntbear]

chains and a balast box on the back would help.I hate loaded tires also.I do a bunch of driveways and they don't want chains in them.to much damage.might want to ask before you give out quotes

 

[LHS Inc]

Thanks for the info. I didn't think about chains doing damage to driveways but you're right in that I should ask. What type/style chains should I get? I've looked into a little bit. I know one thing I sure don't want any part of the chains flopping around doing damage to the fiber fenders. I could see them getting beat to death with a wayward chain. How much weight will a ballast box hold?

 

[blackie65]

How much weight will a ballast box hold?

I was working on a DIY ballast box this weekend. It is an old salt tank and I put 8 60lb bags of sakrete in it. If my calculations are correct I should have about 480 lbs. back there. I also dropped in an old rotor from a 1/2 ton pickup and plan to put a few weights on top of the sakrete if necessary. I have about 12" of room left.

 

[Northland]

I would think the heavy blade on the back would give you good enough traction if conditions are not too slippery or uneven.

In order to snow blow or plow my driveway and trails I needed not only the 500lb snowblower and loaded rear tires but chains on the back tires and the front tires.

Weight along is not enough for traction where I live. I would think non-aggressive two link chains would be OK on pavement and client driveways.

I have very aggressive v-bar chains on the front and back tires and they make a mess on hard services. Check out what's available at tractor tire chains for farm tractors

 

[ihuntbear]

you could do a search for screw in studs.I think you get 500 for around 200.00....no damage to fenders

 

[tessiers]

I've got 500 lbs in rear tires and like another 500 for ballast. I would buy a backhoe, best ballast I ever found for mine. I have tire chains but I don't run them, actually I hate running them, with wide flat tires they make it ride like old Iron wheels, no fun, especially a mile on hot top.

 

[RoyJackson]

Just got my 2010 3520 about a month ago and I love it. My question is if I push snow is my 450 lb. scrape blade enough weight to get decent traction to the rear wheels. I don't want to fill the tires because I got this tractor for overseedeing, aerating and other work in and around lawns and I don't want to leave any tracks. The terrain around my neck of the woods doesn't have the slope issues I've read about in other posts. Thanks for any input.

Although 450 lbs is relatively light, the only way you know what works is to actually try it.
I suspect you'll want more traction, which might be a ballast box or might be chains.

Try moving snow without either...you might do quite well....or you might need a bit more.

Good luck!

 

[LHS Inc]

Yes, I'll probably just have to try it and see what happens. Thanks for the info.

 

[Deadman]

I assume you have Turf Tires? If so, you will be fine in the snow, but adding another 500lbs will make it push ALOT more.
If you can keep the ground bare where your tires run, you'll be amazed how much snow it will push. The weight is just ridiculous, as to how much more it will push with added weight.

I have R4's on my 2520 and they are the worst tire ever in Snow. The Turf's I had on my old 2210 did much better in the snow.

 

[LHS Inc]

I have the R-4's.

 

[Deadman]

With R4's, you will want all the weight you can find. They do fine, but if there is any ice at all, or packed down snow, they slip and spin alot. The worst is that they have NO side-traction at all, so if you are on an incline to one side, you will immediately end up at the bottom! :laughing:

Mine really made me mad at first, but I know what they will and won't do now, so I don't try to do alot with them in the snow. :laughing:

They work awesome in all other conditions, but they are slippery in the snow.

 

[irvingj]

It would be expensive, but if you're really considering driving a mile to move snow, it might be worth it to get a set of turfs....

I keep the backhoe on my SCUT for rear weight, and the turfs have never let me down yet. I have chains, but have never felt the need to put them on.

I am blowing from the front, however, rather than plowing/pushing; Im sure that makes a difference, too.

 

[beenthere]

Thanks for the info. I didn't think about chains doing damage to driveways but you're right in that I should ask. What type/style chains should I get? I've looked into a little bit. I know one thing I sure don't want any part of the chains flopping around doing damage to the fiber fenders. I could see them getting beat to death with a wayward chain. How much weight will a ballast box hold?

Chains are your answer.
These don't flop around, and they work very well.

 

[Deadman]

Here are the chains I have. They have DOUBLE the cross bars, because the cross bars want to fall in between the lugs on the R4 tires. Mine have V-bars on them, and EAT the driveway! lol
They are insane in the woods, I use them for skidding logs out! :thumbsup:
The tensioners keep them from flopping at all, and they have NEVER touched my fenders yet.

 

[LHS Inc]

Chains are your answer.
These don't flop around, and they work very well.

Do you have any trouble with the chains falling inside the treads thus making them ineffective?

 

[stlbill]

you could do a search for screw in studs.I think you get 500 for around 200.00....no damage to fenders

Be sure to use Google's SafeSearch feature when searching for "screw in studs". :thumbsup:

It is in the Search Settings before you click the "Google Search" or the <> "I'm Feeling Lucky"<> buttons.