Thanks for the info and video. I really like that you keep some of the issues you come across in the videos. A lot of the time people post things that go 100% positive which is not realistic, at least not for me. The big question I have is that without the chains do you really struggle to use the tractor in the winter? I have a paved driveway so putting chains on is damaging to the driveway and chains and my cement shed floor. Just wondering if I could get around with R4s without chains. Pondering if a snowblower is something I should invest in. Right now I blade all the snow into piles.
I waited a year before getting the chains. The first winter, I wish I had them. But I live on a mountain side, with steep slopes. My driveway is gravel but there is always a layer of ice/compacted snow. Plowing downhill is possible, so long as the back of the tractor doesn't want to outrun the front. Several times I went down my driveway completely sideways! Nothing will suck that seat up quicker than your cheeks when you've lost control heading downhill sideways!
Going back up hill, even without plowing, simply driving up, was near impossible at the steepest part. I'd spin those tires, all four, trying desperately to get any kind of traction. Before the next winter, I had chains. Now, I dont spin. The engine will lug before the tires spin.
I do have (on order) an inverted snow blower. In fact, it should have arrived yesterday, but the tracking shows its in Illinois still. Hopefully this implement will speed up my snow removal tasks.
The chains will damage your concrete and pavement. I have little marks all over my driveway, but if you look closely, you will see the concrete has more issues than simple dimples. When we replace it, I'll stay off it with the chains. People put things down on their concrete, like plywood, to help protect it. Since I will need to drive across the concrete with my tractor and chains I plan to start the tractor, and while its warming up, use my push snow blower to blow the snow off the concrete. Lay down the plywood, and drive across it. Pick up with ply wood again when I'm done. Its more work, but doable.
As for asphalt, you can get chains that dont have the ice spikes. That should minimize wear on the surface. But if you have hills, you'll probably want chains.
Alternatively, look at the different tread patterns. I've heard that there is a 'new' tread pattern that is killer for snow, I just dont know what their called. OR the turf tires are supposedly pretty good. More rubber on the road type of thing. You could probably get a set or rear wheels and tires for a bit extra, then swap them out in the fall and spring between the R4's or the turfs. Just an idea. When I purchased my chains, it was right about $1500 for all 4 shipped. I can't imagine the tires being much more than that.
