Chains Snow Chains on just front tires?

[jerry315]

Just bought a new XR4140 HC and love it but I am trying to figure out if I need snow chains on ALL tires or if I can just get by with front chains? Any thoughts would be appreciated, I only get a couple of snows that are plowable each year (mountains of NC). I do have a long and some what steep driveway. Had an LS XR3135 with 7 ft snow plow last year and got stuck on the hill but the XR4140 is heavier with larger tires (but don't think that will make a difference on packed snow!). Thanks for any experiences!

 

[LouNY]

If all you want is to be able to get up the hill and are going to plow down, most likely will work.

 

[Scottw32]

Just bought a new XR4140 HC and love it but I am trying to figure out if I need snow chains on ALL tires or if I can just get by with front chains? Any thoughts would be appreciated, I only get a couple of snows that are plowable each year (mountains of NC). I do have a long and some what steep driveway. Had an LS XR3135 with 7 ft snow plow last year and got stuck on the hill but the XR4140 is heavier with larger tires (but don't think that will make a difference on packed snow!). Thanks for any experiences!

I would recommend chaining all 4 tires. Especially if your hill gets slick. Are you running any counter weight in the back like a ballast box or a heavy box blade?

 

[seville009]

I would put rear chains on before putting front chains on. Weight/traction is on the rears, especially if you’re using a plow or loader and taking weight off the front. If you’re pushing into a pile of snow, it’s easy for the front tires to be buried in the pile and not have traction.

 

[jerry315]

Thanks, most of my plowing is downhill, it's getting back up hill that is the problem (sometimes).

 

[jerry315]

Thanks, I am running counter weight on back (scraper blade or heavy arena rack). Hill only gets slick with heavy, wet snow. Mainly problems with getting up hill, most plowing is downhill.

 

[mikester]

I use front chains only and I put them on for snow blowing after the driveway becomes shear ice and I have no more traction. Usually I don't put them on until February when we start getting freezing rain. If I can put on ice skates and skate on the driveway between the house and barn - that's when I know I need chains. I will also put them on if am driving in the fields and snow is over 2-3 feet deep and over my front axels.

Front ladder chains on my R4's work fine. Make sure you keep the spider tensioners on tight and keep a close eye that the chains don't walk and catch on your steering linkages. I don't like driving with the chains on because it's a rough ride, it's hard on the concrete floors, and I'm constantly worrying about damaging the steering linkage when the chains walk.

Front chains are cheaper and easier to put on IMHO. If I needed the extra traction all winter season long I'd probably buy a set of rear diamond pattern chains or stud the tires.

 

[Avenger]

I put chains on in mid-November before the snow flies. I'd rather deal with the tires, chains, and work space when it's dry and sunny.

Also, put them either on the back only or on all 4.

Before I got chains, I was plowing downhill. The tractor would start to 'come round me' at points. This means that I would start to slide downhill sideways! Not ideal. Chains fixed it.

 

[ruffdog]

Thanks, I am running counter weight on back (scraper blade or heavy arena rack). Hill only gets slick with heavy, wet snow. Mainly problems with getting up hill, most plowing is downhill.

I spent lots of time plowing a steep driveway for home/business with a 8n and 801, both only rear drive. Would plow down and drive up for the most part....and I had rear chains. You had to know how to use the individual rear brakes to assist turning and to stop a spinning tire. I would chain the rear, not the front, for assisting going up hill.

 

[super55]

For your situation I would go with the front chains. Reasons being: 1-the # of time you stated you had plowable snow and reason 2 they are a whole lot easier to put on/take off then rear chains.

I run chains on all 4 now but for years I ran front chains only because the rears didn't have inner wheel well clearance for chains until I got spacers. I never had any issues and you will be amazed at the increased traction provided by them. Putting rear chains on takes a lot longer time then fronts. With fronts you could probably keep them off and only attach when needed especially since it sounds like you won't be plowing more then maybe 6 times a season.