Traction Traction tips ?

Lone Oak Landscaping · Dec 3, 2008

Anyone have any tricks for getting traction for plowing when it gets icy ?

I have chains for the tractor but really hate putting them on and off, I was thinking of taking a cordless drill with me and putting a few ice screws in the tires here and there... but don't know if it will help much and if they come out I don't want my customers to get flats on thier cars.

I was also thinking of rigging somethig to go through the rim and around the tire in like three or four spots, but it looks like it will beat the heck out of the rims.

Sure could use some ideas , thanks .

RichZ · Dec 3, 2008

Chains are the best thing for tractors in ice. They are a PIA to put on. I keep them on my 2 wheel drive tractors all year long. It gives them better traction in mud, as well. On my 4 wheel drive tractor, I find that I don't need them.

PILOON · Dec 3, 2008

There exists larger studs (as used in car tires) that work really well for tractors.
Lots of snow contractors use them around here.

Now since tractor tires have lots of meat in the threads, another idea that some guys do is to use 1/4" metal self tapping screws (hardened steel) and drill about a 1/8" hole about 1" deep in the tire lugs and simply insert using an electric drill. WORKS!

Now studs don't do nearly the damage that chains do.

Lone Oak Landscaping · Dec 3, 2008

I know chains are the best traction set-up pretty much , but I plow about 50 driveways and even though they are all close to each other I do run on the road quite a bit.
So far I have only used my small JD 4110 plus a truck ,and believe it or not it does a really good job without the chains , but after almost killing myself a few times by comming close to sliding of the cliffs where I plow , I always chain up now when it gets icy . ( Talk about a pucker factor factor some driveways have 100ft. + drop offs just a few feet from the driveway edge )

In the 60's one of the town guys was killed plowing when he went off one. Plus at the top it's around 1300ft high it is common to snow at the top and not the bottom, now the town trucks that go up there have a salt box that dumps salt in front of the trucks rear tires so it can get traction.I have to get some pictures up so you can see what I mean.
And the darn thing is so bumpy it feels like the tractor is going to vibrate apart or my filling are gonna shake out which ever comes first

So I am just trying to figure something quick and easy for traction only when I need it , but I think I am asking the impossible this time, but there is always a good long shot for an idea here on tractor by net ,I think it's the greatest and hope I can repay some of the awsome things I have learned here.

ragkar · Dec 3, 2008

A ballast box on the 3ph will add weight to the rear wheels, but it will also lift the front end a bit. So steering may be chancy at times.
Back when I was into sport cars there was a lot of discussion on whether wide or narrow tires are better in snow. The consensus was that narrow tires cut through the snow while wides ride on top.

skidoo · Dec 4, 2008

I keep a pile of chipped pea gravel nearby. Then, get a scoop of the gravel in the bucket and use the rear blade for plowing. Where it is excessively icy, I then sprinkle a bit of gravel. Works great, and not just for the tractor, but helps for all vehicles coming up the drive...

funny farmer · Dec 4, 2008

I keep a round bale on the 3pt. bale spear. You wouldn't believe how much more traction I get even with a smaller bale.

ToadHill · Dec 4, 2008

I run with a 75" blower on the back and a 7' plow on front. With loaded tires the tractor is stable even on icy patches.

Reg · Dec 4, 2008

If the conditions are THAT variable (dangerous at one extreme and needing to protect surface at the other end), maybe some SERIOUS SPENDING is called for, here are a couple of possibilities;

Onspot of North America
Insta-Chain, the Automatic Ice Chain | Instachain Insta Chain

As to whether or not a slow moving tractor would create enough tire speed to fling the chains out ?
They've probably answered that question more than a few times.

Either one would be cheap compared to 1,000 ft drop.

dodge man · Dec 4, 2008

Sand! I'm sure you know it but a little bit of sand will give incredible traction. Can you put a spreader on the back 3 point and go backwards with it in bad spots? If you are having trouble in your tractor, there is a good chance the home owner will also, so the sand would help them also.

Northland · Dec 4, 2008

I too looked for options prior to buying chains but nothing else seemed workable; including putting screws into the tires.

With my hills I needed chains. I went a winter without chains and had my tractor slide sideways more then once on even slight down-slopes

I then added rear 4 link v-bar chains and they made a huge difference. Last winter I added a snowblower. I wanted to try and keep my trails cleared so I added 2 link front v-bar chains. In order to do so I had to reverse the front wheels. Now my tractor will go anywhere without any problems

ME83 · Dec 4, 2008

Reg said:
If the conditions are THAT variable (dangerous at one extreme and needing to protect surface at the other end), maybe some SERIOUS SPENDING is called for, here are a couple of possibilities;

Onspot of North America
Insta-Chain, the Automatic Ice Chain | Instachain Insta Chain

As to whether or not a slow moving tractor would create enough tire speed to fling the chains out ?
They've probably answered that question more than a few times.

Either one would be cheap compared to 1,000 ft drop.

I don't think those will work all that well with a tractor. Beside the tractor going fairly slow the single chain ends will also fall between the cleats on a tractor tire and then be useless.

The best option is tire chains. Usually the duo-link type chains are better for tractor tries and they ride smoother than other types on pavement. I have never used the v-bar type chains nor have I ever had a need for a more aggressive chain. The standard duo-links grab very well on ice and are less obtrusive so they should ride better. Even with chains, I always add about 1500 lbs to the 3pt hitch with loaded rears and wheel weights (weight only helps in snow & ice).

LBrown59 · Dec 4, 2008

skidoo said:
I keep a pile of chipped pea gravel nearby. Then, get a scoop of the gravel in the bucket and use the rear blade for plowing. Where it is excessively icy, I then sprinkle a bit of gravel. Works great, and not just for the tractor, but helps for all vehicles coming up the drive...

Sand works too.

Lone Oak Landscaping · Dec 4, 2008

Good ol chains seem to be the best set up when very icy .

I think if it is just a little slick throwing a few well placed shovel fulls of sand might save me the pain and strain of the chaining routine or frozen digits.

You just have to like the simplicity and traction of the sand idea and it will not break the bank either.

Reg · Dec 4, 2008

ME83 said:
I don't think those will work all that well with a tractor. Beside the tractor going fairly slow the single chain ends will also fall between the cleats on a tractor tire and then be useless.

The best option is tire chains. Usually the duo-link type chains are better for tractor tries and they ride smoother than other types on pavement. I have never used the v-bar type chains nor have I ever had a need for a more aggressive chain. The standard duo-links grab very well on ice and are less obtrusive so they should ride better. Even with chains, I always add about 1500 lbs to the 3pt hitch with loaded rears and wheel weights (weight only helps in snow & ice).

He already HAS chains, doesn't like/want them and is looking for something different.
I understood the o/p to mean that he has a mix of treacherous snow/ice, road and driveways that he wants to not chew up.
I know it is expen$ive, but if he really wants on/off capability it is at least worth a call to the suppliers to see what they have, e.g. different friction wheel diameters for slower moving vehicles, longer chain flails for wider tires, chain flails with double rings, V-bars or whatever to avoid disappearing into deep lug tires... on and on
These are built for fairly slow moving vehicles anyway, not highway speeds, so it is probably only a small jump to make them work for even slower tractors.
BICBW

JoeL4330 · Dec 4, 2008

I understand how the insta-chains work to provide traction, forward or reverse ...indeed, the more the wheel spins, the more the chain deploys ...

However, that doesn't seem to help in stopping, the way conventional chains would ...once the wheel is locked, then what?

Also doesn't seem to help with directional stability (steering) the way conventional chains on the front of 4WD would.

But, perhaps I don't understand

skidoo · Dec 5, 2008

Sand, pea gravel, both work excellent. And, it is good for the other vehicles. This is what happened to my son who was too impatient to have it done after an ice storm. There was about 1/4" to 1/2" of ice under the 1/2" of snow.

It was much nicer moving vehicles and equipment around after the gravel spread (second picture)

mjncad · Dec 5, 2008

The only winter I needed to use my tractor to clear out the driveway had my 4WD tractor with R4's slipping quite a bit in spots. Fortunately my ballast box is filled with sand and I keep a folding military shovel stuck in the sand. It made a big difference between going nowhere and getting the evil white stuff moved out of the way.

nicknewhall · Dec 5, 2008

So, what style of chains is best for ag tire? The ladder style is described best for pavement, but not for ag tires. Duo-ladder are best for ag tires, but not recommended on pavement. What to do, what to do...