Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Snow Removal tires

[Camo]

What do you prefer? I am currently using turf tires with great success, but wondered what everyone prefers with FEL, snow pusher, or plow usage.

 

[LBrown59]

What do you prefer? I am currently using turf tires with great success, but wondered what everyone prefers with FEL, snow pusher, or plow usage.

I prefer these tires
http://s283.photobucket.com/albums/kk286/lb59/?action=view&current=100_2321.jpg
over these tires.

 

[George2615]

I have R4's that I've used for the last 4 years for snow removal. Also use 800 lb. rear ballast and an extra 180 lb. front ballast. I've had tractors with AG's and R4's but none work well on ice or a hard snow packed slope without chains. I adapted a 7' straight blade in place of the bucket to my loader arms one year, tried a 3 pt. snowblower, but ended up just using the loader bucket which works best for me.

 

[Whitey]

For regular plowing chores we use a JD 425 garden variety tractor with turf tires, wheel weights and chains........we leave the turfs on since it gets used in the spring / summer for cutting chores. Not much slip if the snow is not to heavy. For heavier loads the JD 770 has R4s and is MWFD. However, without the backhoe on it and a load of snow in the bucket it will start to spin. I found that out this year after digging a number of neighbors out two weeks ago. I plan to fix that this summer with a ballast project. In my opinion........R4s and R1s are about equal (here we go!) as long as you have suitable ballast to weigh you down.

 

[lawn_king]

We use our grand l for commercial snow operations, turfs work great for us.

 

[studor]

My favourite tire for snow and ice??? One with a chain on it

 

[DCJL]

Turfs with chains all around, really helps steering on snow and ice.

 

[Builder]

This bad boy doesn't care what tires are on it.

 

[Matt_Jr]

This bad boy doesn't care what tires are on it.

That's a good one.

From all my research on TBN I've found turfs with chains are pretty much as good as it gets. I've never been stuck with mine, but plowing with a back blade on the slick stuff got me to searchin', and that's what I've concluded. But I could be wrong. I'm gonna sit back and let the rest of the guys and gals go at it now.

 

[7800DUDE]

I HAD R-4S FOR 4 YEARS JUST CHANGED TO TURFS SOILD FILLED NIGHT AND DAY DIFFERNCE LOVE THE TURFS

 

[Builder]

I HAD R-4S FOR 4 YEARS JUST CHANGED TO TURFS SOILD FILLED NIGHT AND DAY DIFFERNCE LOVE THE TURFS

In your case, I bet having the tires filled has more to do with your increase in traction than the tire tread itself. I had my previous Ford backhoe as a snow removal piece for years. One year I decided to fill the rear tires and it made a big difference.

Also, new tires have nice sharp square edges that really bite (in a good way) in snow & ice.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Having moved south from PA, snow plowing is not an option anymore though that may change this week? Seriously, chains come to mind.

 

[Conservation]

It depends. In ice, anything with chains. It really doesn't matter tire type as long as the chains are kept on the surface. In snow, the R1's paddle much better. Weight makes as much difference as about anything. Also, I like a narrow tire in both ice and snow.

 

[deere755]

I just switched from turfs to ag tires this past year. I was going to put the chains on and decided to try it with out them. I believe that in snow my ag tires are a lot better then my turfs with chains. In icy conditions any tire with chains is better then no chains. I really hate to use chains if I don't have to. I had one come loose several years ago as I was spinning and did alot of damage to my rear fender. I have never liked them since.

 

[deere755]

I also forgot to mention that I have 180 pounds of weight on each wheel.

 

[Builder]

It's amazing the differences of opinions we've seen on this topic, which has been exhaustively discussed for years in dozens of threads on this website.

I think too much is put into defending one's tire choice and not enough emphasis put into the fact that everyone has different conditions in which they plow snow.

 

[600rider]

I use the goodyear extra trac tire( wide like turf tire but has a less agressive bar than a r4 or r1 ag tire) with chains. with a front mounted 5' snowblower. I like them as I feel that I get the best footprint where thr rubber meets the road or snow as it were) with them. also I have about 200# weight on each wheel with wheels set as far apart as posible on my B7510 HST. I live in north western PA 30 miles south of lake Erie in the heart of the snow belt with about 225 inchs of snow this winter and counting! If ya live here you gotta love it!

 

[Jackpine Madman]

Turf tires work just fine. I use a back blade & the FEL on a JD 970. I have chains for it but actually took them off this winter because I just didn't need them except one time when I had to negotiate glare ice on a hill. Even then I was able to get up the hill without chains, but not with the back blade dug in.

 

[ray66v]

What do you prefer? I am currently using turf tires with great success, but wondered what everyone prefers with FEL, snow pusher, or plow usage.

With a search you might have noticed there was already at least 13 threads, with about 300 posts on this subject.

 

[dodge man]

My opinion based on my own observations. Turf tires work really well on a paved surface in snow that is less than 6 inches deep. In deep snow or on gravel or grass, ags will work best, and R4's better than turfs. On ice, turfs will work best but still be really lousy, chains will be best on ice.