Snow Turf or Ags on asphalt for snow?

[Charliebrn]

O,k, considering picking up ag's for my BX for the winter. My question is has anyone tried both on asphalt for winter use? Any difference moving snow around? I've heard both, that it makes a big difference and no difference. Part of the logic is that if the ags can't dig in, they aren't a big help on a finished drive.

I don't want chains, they'll mar up the drive, and in truth, the turfs seem to do ok until the snow gets real hard packed and then they tend to slip. Remember that the BX isn't all that heavy, so I'd like some first-hand reports.

Thanks, guys and gals...

 

[Junkman]

I haven't had my BX during the winter, but I do have experience with my Bolens tractors in the winter using both Ag and turf tires. The turfs would just spin and not give me any traction at all on the snow. I found that the Ag tire would give good traction most of the time. I have both for my BX and both were loaded, so I think that either will be better than the Bolens was. If I had thought of it, I would have had the Bolens tires loaded before buying the BX. I also have used chains on the driveway in the past on both my truck and the tractor and unless you spin the wheels, you are not going to do any harm to the asphalt. In my case, I have spun the wheels a few times and the only damage was some scratches in the pavement. The real factor as to damage to the driveway is the quality of the materials that it is made out of. My driveway contractor only uses the state specification for highway asphalt which is much tougher in my opinion than most driveway asphalt....... I also paid more!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Dave___in___CT]

Hi...

I've run turf tires on a 4-wheel-drive Deere 750 CUT (about 3,000 lbs) for 9 years snowplowing...
no chains... non-loaded tires...
works well on gravel or asphalt... including inclines...
w/o 4-WD the turfs would need chains...

but... every snow is different... 1 type or the other may be better, depending...

Try with what you have & go from there...


Dave...

 

[Egon]

If the snow gets hard packed I'd suggest chains. Harming your driveway should not be an issue.

Egon

 

[Mrwurm]

I've found that having chains for backup is a pretty good plan. Most years I never use them, but every once in a while we get buried under two feet of snow and they become essential. Having them when you need them is good. Needing them when you don't have them is 'too late'.

 

[rlw]

I have the heavy duty front blade for my BX and used it to plow our subdivision's road (1/4 mile) and everyone's driveway (8) last winter. I have turfs and use a weight box on the back. More times than not, I plowed in 2WD without any trouble.
I like the recommendation of having a set of chains around "just in case" - cheaper solution and you don't have another set of tires sitting around to trip over.

 

[art]

For what I've seen the the chains like the ag tires will give you less contact area more then likely meaning less traction. They will only mark your driveway with scratches from the chains as I've never seen one torn up just from plowing or blowing. To keep a set handy is not a bad idea just in case.

 

[Mrwurm]

Yep, once, while plowing my drive, I got so hung up that I could'nt get the tractor to move at all. I brought out a bottle jack and put the chains on right there in the snowy mess. Started up and drove right out. This is why you gotta have'm before you need them.

 

[Inspector507]

art,
I considered AG's and bar's for mine when I bought. The dealer suggested turf's. His explaination was the rubber contact surface with the pavement. Yes I suppose they'll fill with snow quicker, but the more "rubber to the road" did it for me. For deep snow though.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif AG's may be better.

 

[Steven]

I used bar tires in the snow last year and had no problems it slides a little at times but was nothing to worry about. then agian the terrain was all flat. not sure i would want it on a hill with just rubber to the ground. One patch of ice and you may need to change your pants.