John, your idea of chains on snow, might sound good to someone that lives in the south. But coming from snow country and hills also. Chains are OK on ice without snow, or ice with snow on top. But in general, they aren't much, if any help, on plain snow. A good tread on a tire, with no quick changes, works best. And the hydro does work kind of fast when you take your foot off of it. A gear tractor would be the best for this kind of work, with snow and being where you can slide into something, like a car. If one would just knock it out of the range instead of taking his foot off of the pedal, might work real good. I have never did that as I didn't have a hydro when I lived up there. So not sure if it will come out, while under load. At my age, I don't plan on ever living back in that country, as I am retired and tired.