amazing what the right tool can do..........

[aeblank]

I made it through the first winter without them. It wasn't too bad, but I couldn't always go where/how I wanted.
However, my hill was the worst. I don't know the percentage grade though. I'll have to try to figure that out, and I can probably be of more help.

I sure wouldn't turn you away from chains. I ponied up for v-bar, but they may not have been required. That's what happens when I get the "we're only buying these once" demands. Ok then......I'm getting the kicka$$ ones.

 

[dickfoster]

Those of you with blowers, front or rear, do you find that you need the chains to be able to get through the snow?

I have a 4035 with a Woodmaxx SB-84 but haven't gotten any chains. Our driveway is about 300 feet, mostly a 6% grade. Anyone think I'll have any problems going up (or sliding down)?

Look for a recent post by Eric the Oracle. He's put up a video yesterday or day before and he's just running R4s. He was moving right along and he's not blowing, he's plowing. Look for snowy misadventure. Tractor Plowing First Snow of the 2016-17 Minnesota Winter - YouTube

 

[Dutch445]

When i moved from my 2wd 445 to the X585 with 4wd i tried it without chains, but in a storm like this you just can't help but
drive in/on the snow. and when it's slushy it turns very icy once driven on, or exposed to the wind, so i put the chains on.
If i was only on my blacktop driveway and it was flat i would be ok without. but my driveway is uphill, and i still do the unpaved
areas around the property so chains stay on.

 

[pyro29]

Ok, so chains or studs? Can I get away with cutting sipes in the rears?

Whether chains or studs, do I need them on the front, rear, or both?

My rear tires are filled and I will have a 3.0 cf spreader on the front QA filled with about 200lbs of salt.

Thanks

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

worked on secondary drive this am again, (did it once last nite) and started working my way around the back of the house.

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I really think that set up would be a perfect set up on snow for a residential setting, I haven't been threw a winter yet with my set up but I only have a rear blade and FEL with R4 tires and I don't plan to run with any chains, so we will see how it does. That being said I got by the last two years just fine with a shovel and a small snow blower that was better at pushing snow than it was blowing it without clogging on its slowest speed lmao, now I have a cabed tractor with Heat! So I'm kinda looking forward to winter this year lol. But the sad part will be when I warm the tractor up, make 2 or 3 passes and are done lol so that being said I will prob do a few neighbors houses so I can play with the tractor longer :laughing:

 

[Gator6x4]

Given he amount of snow you get, have you considered a small electric blower for the deck.? That looks like a lot of shoveling to me.

Electric Snow Blowers - Snow Blowers - Snow Removal Equipment - Outdoor Power Equipment - The Home Depot

 

[Dutch445]

Another unwritten rule is that any bragging about snow blowing of any kind must be accompanied with video. Still pictures just don't tell the story.

short vid coming around the back yard, almost to the patio!
Snow Nov 2016 - YouTube

 

[Dutch445]

got into the patio area, i think i found my grill,,,,


yup , it's my grill

 

[Dutch445]

tomorrow night i'll get time to work on the decks,

GATOR6x4 we sell the small gas blowers like that, but i always have
extra walk behind blowers around, and just pull one up on the deck when we get this much snow.

this has been a good one, we have been in this house for almost 5 years, and haven't had this much
snow come in such a short time. today it finally stopped, roads broke up, and it looks like a decent couple days
coming for the holiday.

 

[Dutch445]

I really think that set up would be a perfect set up on snow for a residential setting, I haven't been threw a winter yet with my set up but I only have a rear blade and FEL with R4 tires and I don't plan to run with any chains, so we will see how it does. That being said I got by the last two years just fine with a shovel and a small snow blower that was better at pushing snow than it was blowing it without clogging on its slowest speed lmao, now I have a cabed tractor with Heat! So I'm kinda looking forward to winter this year lol. But the sad part will be when I warm the tractor up, make 2 or 3 passes and are done lol so that being said I will prob do a few neighbors houses so I can play with the tractor longer :laughing:

there is no doubt bigger machines work better on larger properties, i could not handle barn yards, or real rough gravel areas with this setup, it would tear up the blower.
i have issues in weather like this when our town snow plow decides to plant the shoulder of the road into the end of my driveway. tonight i walked down with an old JD 828D to throw the rocks and ice off the end of the driveway so i didn't have to run that crap thru the my tractor blower.

if i lived in a more populated area i'd be all over the neighborhood doing driveways,, did it as a kid for years growing up with mom's old 1972 JD 524 walk behind blower!
she still uses that blower today!