Snow chains on blacktop?

[rslee]

I have a few older widows and elderly couples within a short drive of my farm (1/2 mile) that I’d like to clear their driveways with my MF255 when I clear my driveway. The concern is that I run chains on my filled back tires. How much damage will I cause to the blacktop highway? I don’t want that issue with the state.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Would depend on the type of chains, and weight of the tractor.

I'd keep at least two wheels off the pavement even without chains.

 

[rslee]

Would depend on the type of chains, and weight of the tractor.

I'd keep at least two wheels off the pavement even without chains.

They are Duo style, and I’m guessing my tractor with ballast and loader is probably 8,000# or more. There’s no shoulder to the road, so it’d be 2 tires in a rocky ditch. It might be a good excuse to get a plow for my Grizzly 660.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

IIRC @dnw64 does/did use chains on his asphalt driveway without any damage ...

 

[oldnslo]

Running down the road a few times in the winter won’t hurt the asphalt enough to be noticeable. Spinning the tires will leave marks.

Just make sure there is nothing on the fenders the chains will catch on while going at higher speeds down the road.

 

[GrandpaSmurf825]

You will be fine as long as the blacktop is typical blacktop and not cold patch quality. Just driving on it or 'even some wheel spin as Oldnslo mentioned won't do anything more than leave some scratch marks.

 

[dnw64]

IIRC @dnw64 does/did use chains on his asphalt driveway without any damage ...

I have Euro style chains. As I understand, they tend to cause less damage, because they are less prone to spinning. My problem is that I get so much traction that for the most part I don't need the front axle engaged, so if I'm not careful, I do spin once in a while while in 2WD. But, not spinning, they don't cause any damage, and our driveway is decades old and has been sealed a few times.

 

[LouNY]

I have Euro style chains. As I understand, they tend to cause less damage, because they are less prone to spinning. My problem is that I get so much traction that for the most part I don't need the front axle engaged, so if I'm not careful, I do spin once in a while while in 2WD. But, not spinning, they don't cause any damage, and our driveway is decades old and has been sealed a few times.

This is the best way, Euro studded chains and not spinning.

 

[Deere Dude]

Normal travel shouldn't hurt anything but any spinning will make the blacktop look terrible. Our asphalt county road was refinished along my property and a few weeks later I took my garden tractor with chains and weights down the road and spun a bunch of crop circles on a nice black color. It didn't hurt anything physically, but was aesthetically an eyesore. A larger tractor might leave unsightly marks or scuffs that may irritate a homeowner if privately owned.

My picky neighbor read me the riot act about ruining the look.

 

[big bubba]

and of course, on asphalt, use 2wd if you can safely

 

[Thomas]

Go slow and no tight turns.