Tires Ags Vs Industrials - SNOW

[newpaltznewholland]

Folks - I live in the Catskills and last year I had no real opportunity to test out the Industrials that came on my 2010 Boomer 3045. It is 4WD and made it up the drive with some slppage with the one snowfall we had. Does anyone have better expereince with 4WD in snow wiht Ag Vs Industrials? I have a 72" snowblower that I'll use when needed but worrisome that I needs ags to operate in heavy snow, on hills without chains. Thanks!!!

 

[SPYDERLK]

Lots of variables. My experience indicates that industrials will do a little better on snow that is on a smoothbase, but AGs [R1] are better when the base is ruf - like turf. I would choose AGs based on that plus that they are taller so they more easily roll over obstacles. They tend to have more traction on dirt and turf as well. Chains work very well with industrials [R4]. Also, grooving the R4 lugs is said to increase traction in snow.
larry

 

[k0ua]

Here is the link to that discussion that Larry mentioned about grooving R-4's

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/snow-removal/193438-cutting-groving-siping-r-4-a.html

James K0UA

 

[thclimer]

Is your driveway dirt (loose stone) or pavement, flat or hilly?

My experience is that for dirt and if its not fairly flat you'll wish you had chains. With a dirt driveway it's very difficult to plow or blow all the snow away without blowing or plowing all your stone away. Inevitably the remaining compacted snow will melt at some point and then freeze into a very slippery sheet of ice.

With a paved driveway you'll stand a chance of getting enough snow off so that a little salt/sand will melt the remaining snow before it can freeze into ice.

If your driveway is dirt and fairly flat you maybe able to get away with using a lot of sand and salt.

 

[LD1]

Ags are better in snow. They are taller and narrower and cut through it a bit better.

But r4's with chains are better than ags.

 

[Carl_NH]

R4s' will give you more surface area on the ground, the R1's have more bite then as other have said dirt/crushed stone or paved driveway makes a difference.

With pavement you can scrape with the FEL to about clear then with some sun it does melt. Is yours a rear blower and FEL - if so you have pretty decent balance for traction.

I would do chains on the front with R4's before changing to R1s and wheels & tires.

 

[boggen]

R4's without chains = snow sleds. on hills and any ice under the tires. and they will go were ever they want.

R1's skinner and act more like ski's. and you can control your sliding with left and right split rear brake pedals.

chains help a lot.

if you can get out there right after it snows. and clean everything up within say 1" off the gravel. (do not try to clean right down to gravel) and get the snow piles far enough away so when they melt water does not end back up on the drive and turn into an ice sheet. your golden. if you want that last 1" off. you may be better with a rear blade and angle it some. so what rocks are on the drive only end off the drive a couple feet if that.

pending on snow blower you can set the sleds / skid shoes on them. so when you place blower all the way down. it does not try to cut into the gravel, but skims 1/2" to 1" off the surface. of the gravel.

again it is not really the snow, but the ice that is the problem.

 

[creekbend]

I have a fairly steep gravel driveway. I have AG tires. My tractor has a FEL and the tires have water and anti-freeze ballast. I have only had my tractor during one winter season, but this arrangement worked good for me. Types Of Tractor Tires

 

[newpaltznewholland]

Thanks, good advice indeed. I had a front mounted plow on my old Ford/NH 3415 RWD and it worked well with chains. I knew the 4WD would be an upgrade but was unsure of the traction with the R4s. I'll likley purchase a set or rear R1s for winter and put chains on the front tires and that should give me what I need other than the rear ballast as the 72" front mount (mid pto) blower is quite heavy. Even with the rears loaded with beet juice, I 'll likel;y have to add some weight to the rear to get traction uphill. Many thanks for your replies, gents!!

 

[nybirdman]

You have to be carefull mixing tires on a 4WD.I purchsed R1's with my tractor and have no problems pushing a front mounted snow plow.IF you have R4's,chains and ballast are the way to go.Cost less than changeing tires(and rims)