Turf tires - weight box helpful?

[wetstuff]

I have a 40hp, 4WD, J-D 1070 with turf tires. I have a custom frame mounted 6' Meyers plow with hyd. Up/Dn ..manual angle.

We had no measurable snow last year, but I thought better think ahead this year. The year before last, I left the weight box on the back. I had no problems with maybe a 1' of wet, drifting snow. I was thinking of putting a simple blade on the back instead of the weight box.

Do you think the weight box gives me more traction? I don't plan on getting chains for the few times we get hammered by a Nor'easter. I appreciate any advice. Cheers.

Jim

 

[Shadow99]

YES, I would chose the weightbox over any other implement, also gives you more clearance when backing up & turning.
Found that out myself this morning in 10" of heavy-wet snow, 6.5ft grader blade at 150 lbs, in place of the 1000lb weightbox, I miss my weightbox! I'm running 15.5" wide terra-tires, without chains & wheel traction is fine up front, but almost nothing out back & highly noticable.

Shadow

 

[Thomas]

Type of ground you'll be plowing..flat,slight grade,steep grade.

I use rear blade for ballast..kinda best of both worlds if you will..weight and scrape.

Just for the heck of it try the blade next time Jim.

 

[Shadow99]

This is what I used this morning. I "HAD" to mount a 150 lb concrete ballast to my GB, just to get the 3pt to drop when in float. Without it it took forever unless I idled-down, and it still wasn't enough ballast out back. Pushed a pile of large stone across a muddy-surface this fall with no traction issues when weight-box was on.

Shadow

 

[Shadow99]

This is what I used this morning. I "HAD" to mount a 150 lb concrete ballast to my GB, just to get the 3pt to drop when in float. Without it it took forever unless I idled-down, and it still wasn't enough ballast out back. Pushed a pile of large stone across a muddy-surface this fall with no traction issues when weight-box was on.



Shadow

 

[wetstuff]

Gentlemen - thanks.

Shadow, mine does not stick out quite so far ..but reminding me -that the bugger is back there swinging around- is too distracting for me. I can only handle just so much concentration (pressure) at one time. ...that articulated rig you have looks pretty cool. If I was behind the wheel my drive would look like a lizzard cleared it.

Thomas, Unlike NH, we get these heavy, wet, blowing snows when a Low clears Hatteras and comes up to meet High Pressure. It like the World Has Ended for 48hrs. Then the Sun come out and the temps get back into the balmy 40's. All my work is flat. My drive is about 800' ..but then I pretend I am not playing and go off to "help" others. It's the Wisconsin in me.

Cheers. Jim

 

[Thomas]

I hear you about those wet snow storms..arrrrr.
Since handful of storms each how about set tire chains..night & day when it comes to to turf tires pushing.

 

[RoyJackson]

Type of ground you'll be plowing..flat,slight grade,steep grade.

I use rear blade for ballast..kinda best of both worlds if you will..weight and scrape.

Just for the heck of it try the blade next time Jim.

Salisbury MD (home of the OP) is on the Eastern Shore of MD...very flat area.
I reckon he'll see more ice then snow.
I'd go with the ballast box...and the front blade is probably overkill in his circumstances.

 

[ray66v]

Weight box?? Put a backhoe on the back, it's the ideal ballast!

You get the right amount of weight on the back, and you won't have trouble plowing.

I plow on gravel with turfs, and have no trouble doing it.

Looks like the loader hanging up there is giving you a forward CG, taking weight off the rear wheels. For now, you would be better off without it.

 

[RoyJackson]

Weight box?? Put a backhoe on the back, it's the ideal ballast!

Not really...expensive ballast and raises the tractor's CoG way too high...

 

[ray66v]

Not really...expensive ballast and raises the tractor's CoG way too high...

I don't agree.

On top of supplying lots of ballast, it is also great for extracting the machine if you get stuck.

CG "way too high"? Too high for what? Plowing sideways on a slope?

I have no high CG issues on my tractor.

It's also pretty good for digging holes.

 

[wetstuff]

Ouch..Ray, If I am worried ..about being worried ..about a blade in the back ..a back hoe sounds like drunk alligator's tail to me. Plus.. I don't dare have a back hoe. I live in the 'critical areas' where everybody drops a dime on you if you cut the grass too short or get a load of dirt delivered. A back hoe would simply be too tempting for me to make some roots 'disappear'. They'd hang me.

I am going to remove the FEL for the first time. It is so useful that I am reluctant to be without it. I simply love having a 'real' snow plow. I Had to have one before I check out.

Jim

 

[dwost]

I have the same tractor (1070) and have had no issues with either my R1's or turfs and no chains. I have a ballast box and this year I'm using my box blade on the back. Just had an 8" dump of heavy wet stuff and had no issue pushing my 84" WR Long plow. I've pushed 15" stuff with the same result. Granted I've got only a very slight incline but it has performed flawlessly for me. If I had some inclines I'd opt for more weight and maybe chains.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[High Compression]

Weight is your friend when pushing snow. And my experience is on pavement, turf tires get the best traction in snow and on ice with no chains. I have had two tractors with turfs that I pushed with for a lot of years. No chains, just Rimguard in the rear tires for ballast, and my salt spreader on the 3pt. My R1's were horrible until I grooved them. More biting edges = more traction. (snow and ice) :thumbsup:

Obviously the date was wrong on my camera. :laughing: :ashamed:

 

[npalen]

Wetstuff,
I'm curious why you didn't use a chain attached to the FEL bucket to raise and lower the snow blade. Having said that, I do like the blade being close to the front tires. Looks like that would make it easier to keep the rig running straight when using the blade angled as well as decreasing the overall length of the rig for manueuverabilty in tight quarters.
Just as an afterthought here, it seems like the ideal snow blade could be used as a bucket for piling snow as well as an angled blade for pushing. Is there such a thing?

Edit: Looks like the FEL would increase traction assuming the tractor is FWA especially if there was weight in the bucket.