Snow Am I ready for the Snow?? or get chains??

[whistlepig]

Do I need chains in Pennsylvania if I have a B3200 with R4's and a 72 inch plow? Anyone with experience willing to tell me how much snow I am going to be able to push on the flat - (Assuming a medium snow not too fluffy and not wet)??

I have a B7800 which is almost the same size as a B3200. The area I have to plow is about as flat as one could ever wish for. I tried the R4's without chains for snow pushing with a 54" FEL. It just didn't work for me. I ordered chains this year but haven't had a chance to try them. One thing for sure. Once the first big snow flies it's about impossible to find tire chains. I wanted chains last December. It took the supplier until the end of last month to get the ones I wanted in. A nine month wait.

 

[RoyJackson]

Once the first big snow flies it's about impossible to find tire chains. I wanted chains last December. It took the supplier until the end of last month to get the ones I wanted in. A nine month wait.

Yep, same here...not as long as whistlepig, but I wanted the chains in February...took until May.

 

[beenthere]

.................. One thing for sure. Once the first big snow flies it's about impossible to find tire chains. I wanted chains last December. It took the supplier until the end of last month to get the ones I wanted in. A nine month wait.

That is one of the most compelling reasons to get chains. So many end up getting chains that do not fit their tires well, and end up having to put chain binders and straps on just to pull the sloppiness out of them. Some suppliers think "one size fits all" :confused3:

 

[Thomas]

Some new Kubota models..L2800..you'll need wheel spacer before adding rear tire chains..about $375.oo.

 

[funwithahoe]

Thanks for all the replies - Any idea how much I should expect to spend for a pair of rear chains? Again it is a B3200.

Thanks!

 

[RoyJackson]

Thanks for all the replies - Any idea how much I should expect to spend for a pair of rear chains? Again it is a B3200.

Thanks!

Determine your rear tire size and go to www.tirechains.com. You'll see the prices there. You'll have to determine which type of chain you need. The website gives recommendations for different usage.
Since my drive is pretty level and gravel, I didn't think I needed an overly aggressive chain so I went for a 4 link ladder (what tirechains.com calls "road chains").
As I'd written in an earlier post, they're located in Johnstown PA. There is a calculator for shipping costs.
It cost me about $32 to have my chains (4 link ladder style for 41-14-20 Turfs, cost was about $180 plus shipping) sent UPS ground (just outside York PA).

 

[funwithahoe]

I have a B7800 which is almost the same size as a B3200. The area I have to plow is about as flat as one could ever wish for. I tried the R4's without chains for snow pushing with a 54" FEL. It just didn't work for me. I ordered chains this year but haven't had a chance to try them. One thing for sure. Once the first big snow flies it's about impossible to find tire chains. I wanted chains last December. It took the supplier until the end of last month to get the ones I wanted in. A nine month wait.

Thanks for your input - Although I value everyone's input I like that you basically have the same tractor with R'4's and I would guess get about the same amount of snow there in Ohio as we do in pennsylvania.

If I angle the blade would I be able to push 12 or so inches without the chains? My rears are filled and I am thinking I should fill up my ballast box with 500lbs before winter - (Haven't used the ballast box yet).

Thanks again to eveyone that replied! Chains just seem like such a pain to put on and I park the tractor in my garage so I would imagine they will rip up the floor pretty good.

 

[Thomas]

"I park the tractor in my garage so I would imagine they will rip up the floor pretty good. "

1/2" cheap plywood for protection.

 

[whistlepig]

Thanks for your input - Although I value everyone's input I like that you basically have the same tractor with R'4's and I would guess get about the same amount of snow there in Ohio as we do in pennsylvania.

If I angle the blade would I be able to push 12 or so inches without the chains? My rears are filled and I am thinking I should fill up my ballast box with 500lbs before winter - (Haven't used the ballast box yet).

Thanks again to eveyone that replied! Chains just seem like such a pain to put on and I park the tractor in my garage so I would imagine they will rip up the floor pretty good.

Your tractor should push twelve inches of snow easily. My ATV with a 54" blade will push twelve inches of snow. The wind sometimes is a greater enemy than the snow. Six inches of snow and 25 MPH winds equals 4'-5' drifts. Some places bare ground. Some places 4'-5' drifts. That's why the chains became necessary for me this year. I can get it done without chains and a FEL but it takes forever. You have to ram the drifts because of lack of traction and any little dip in the ground will make the tires spin. Constant changing of the approach angle to adjust for little dips and sways in the ground. When it came to the point that my tractor and FEL could only a move a small fraction of snow by volume that it could have easily moved in gravel and dirt it was time to give the tractor a little help.

 

[beenthere]

.............If I angle the blade would I be able to push 12 or so inches without the chains? My rears are filled and I am thinking I should fill up my ballast box with 500lbs before winter - (Haven't used the ballast box yet).
......

A 12" snowfall can be very, very different.
If powder snow, it is one thing. If wet, blowing snow it is another. And there is everything in between.
I doubt anyone can really answer the question without qualification.

Have them on hand if needed, and then adapt to what it takes to tolerate them.
Sometimes we have to give up some things to have other things. At least I do.