Traction $13.00 + 1 hour = EXCELLENT traction on ice!!!!!

Rip · Feb 11, 2004

Glad to hear your "screwwed-up" tires have a good bite on ice... at least for a few days while the screw heads are "fresh".

For a long lasting solution, take a look at

"Trail Grabbers" at www.Bergstromskegs.com

These are tungston cabide-tipped 5/16 hex head self tapping screws available in 1/2, 5/8, and 3/4" length made for snowmobile tracks, but they show them also for use on ATV tires and boots. They are not cheap, at $0.80 each, but should outlast regular screws by a long shot.

Rip-on-the-Mountain

mopar · Feb 11, 2004

i was going to suggest that,we use them on our sleds work great you may lose a few at high speeds but your tractor most likely will not see those kinds of speeds.we have taken them out of one sled after a year and reused them in the next new sled

wvhillbilly · Feb 11, 2004

You did pretty good there with the screw idea. They actually make "Ice screws" for 4-wheelers. You can buy them in "Dennis Kirk" ATV catalog. The only difference is that the inside of the screw head is kinda cone shaped leaving the outer edge of the screw like a little round sharp blade to dig into the ice better. But a trip to the local home improvement center for sheet metal screws is even cheaper yet!! And we all like to save money!! Good job..
Dave

Henro · Feb 11, 2004

Here is a link to tha web page...they have hardened screws there too


The 5/8 hardened [heat treated] screws sell for $56.00 per thousand... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Wal · Feb 13, 2004

These are tungston cabide-tipped 5/16 hex head self tapping screws available in 1/2, 5/8, and 3/4" length made for snowmobile tracks, but they show them also for use on ATV tires and boots. They are not cheap, at $0.80 each, but should outlast regular screws by a long shot.


Gulp /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I guess if I lived in a serious "ice belt" part of the country I would consider your suggestion. According to my cal-ca-la-shuns, I could put in a fresh set of "Mr. Cheapy" screws every winter for 12 years. Last winter we didn't even have an ice situation like this year, so I can most likely even skip installation on those years I don't need them. Shoot, it will only take less than an hour for both rears now that I know the routine /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

rambler · Feb 13, 2004

This thread has been really interesting. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

So, if you did live in an icebelt, you would spin enough with the mild steel screws that you won't have any heads to grip to remove.... It does not take much spinning on a pavement to round the heads right off. The tungston heads will last several years.

I'm also curious, do you use the same hole every year, or do you need to make a new set of holes in your tires every year?

Really interesting to follow this.

--->Paul

Wal · Feb 13, 2004

So, if you did live in an icebelt, you would spin enough with the mild steel screws that you won't have any heads to grip to remove.... It does not take much spinning on a pavement to round the heads right off. The tungston heads will last several years.

I'm also curious, do you use the same hole every year, or do you need to make a new set of holes in your tires every year?

Really interesting to follow this.

--->Paul 

Paul,

Glad you're enjoying it /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
The only pavement my tractor ever hits is parking it on the concrete floor of my barn. Otherwise, its on either dirt, snow, ice or our gravel road. As far as the longevity of the "Mr. Cheapy" screws, all I can say is that its a "work in progress" I will be taking them out as soon as I feel sure /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif that the ice is gone for the season. Depending on the screws condition, I will save them for next season and attempt to insert them into the old insertion points. I have no idea if I will even be able to find the old insertion points after using the tractor all summer and fall. All I know for now is, I'm lovin' it.

Mike_Dumond · Feb 13, 2004

They make hardened screws with dual tapered edges especially for traction. Check with a local ATV or Snowmobile dealer, they should have them or be able to get them. My brother uses them on his forklift at the Ski Doo shop. Takes them out in the spring and puts them on in the fall.

Mike_Dumond · Feb 13, 2004

Darn, that's what you get for not reading page two. Now I see the other references. Must be old age creaping in. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Trouser Bark · Feb 13, 2004

Too keep screw heads or chains from chewing up concrete the guys around here do two things...

1) Never spin the tires on the concrete

2) Carpet. It'll eliminates the problem and you can roll it back up to where the tractor is parked when you hop off.