Tractor Tire choice for snow plowing ?

BigAl · Dec 15, 2004

Ok I got a question ? Which type of tire,on your tractor , is best for plowing snow ? R-1? R-4? Turf ? Stopping ability is just as important as traction in my book . Anyone got a favorite ?
I use R-4's with no chains and have good luck . /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Seems like R-1's would not be as good as you have less traction surface area for hard suface plowing and also for stopping . /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Maybe turf tires might be interesting to try . /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Big Al

RoyJackson · Dec 15, 2004

I've used Industrials and Bar-Turfs. Both work good for the amounts we normally get (6"-8").
I've used the Bar-Turfs during a 30" plus inch blizzard. They did pretty good. There was a fair amount of slippage, but it was a smaller tractor then I own now.

keeney · Dec 15, 2004

Turf tires work fine for me on pavement using a front-plow. The tractor is usually on the plowed pavement.

If you are talking about off-road in deep snow, then R1's seem like a better choice.

On pure ice, you will want to add tire studs or ice-chains.

- Rick

kensfarm · Dec 16, 2004

There is an old thread about a TBN'r who used "metal screws?" embedded in his treads to ack like cleats for ice & snow traction.

RalphVa · Dec 16, 2004

Probably the best tires for plowing are any with chains. I broke a chain after having it hang on the back side of my brake bracket on my Gravely. So, I bought 4 ag tires (duals on the 2 wheel Gravely) and put metal screws into the lugs. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to use this setup last winter due to almost no snow.

Attached is a pic of it all set up. The Gravely will push snow, but with not a full bite with dual turfs. With chains, on the turfs it'll push a plow full of snow. You'll see from the pic that it's a big plow for the size of the tractor (4' plow).

Ralph

slowzuki · Dec 17, 2004

On straight ice, turfs are best out of the rubber, chains with welded v's kick all their butts, period.

keeney · Dec 17, 2004

On pavement with a very thin coating of ice or frost, regular round-link chains without the sharp-edged V's or ice-cleats are often no better or perhaps slightly worse than a rubber tire. The chains can't dig into the hard surface at all and the round metal links slide easily over the ice.

For all-around best traction plowing on pavement I'd go with lightly studded tires (turf, R4, or R1). Carbide-tipped studs will last longer, but simple steel screws or staples work fine, are a lot cheaper, but will not last as long.

If you don't have to worry about marking the pavement and don't mind the occasional bumpy ride, chains with sharp-edged v's or carbide ice cleats will give you the best possible traction regardless of what you are running on.

Regular round-link chains will work good for off-road, wet snow, and mixed snow and mud.

- Rick