B2710 front sliding while snowblowing

B_Childress · Dec 27, 2002

I have a B2710 with R4's and a front mounted 60" snowblower. The rear tires are filled and I have rear chains installed. I've also got a rear 3pt Herd sander mounted.

I have a VERY steep winding 320 foot drive way going up a wooded hill. With the rear chains I have no traction problems. However I do have a problem with the front end sliding when I'm trying to blow snow around curves. My dealer told me not to use front chains due to clearance problems and possible added stress on drivetrain. I've looked and there isn't any clearance for front chains with the R4's.

Does anyone else have this problem? If so what have you done? Wheel spacers to move the tires out? Would R1 tires give enough clearance for front chains? Stud the front tires?

Is there anyone out there with a B27/2910 running front chains that can share some experience?
Thanks,
Barnett

RoyJackson · Dec 27, 2002

I'm goiing to make a guess...

Suspect you might be moving too fast and the front of the tractor is taking the path of least resistance.

When I use my FEL to push snow, the front end goes sideways if I'm taking too big a bite. Not that I use the FEL for pushing snow much..but occasionally, it's the best way.

Try slowing down a bit...

Kiotimike · Dec 27, 2002

I have a DK40 with R4s.When I lose traction on the front end when on slopes I Hit the brake of the opposite rear wheel.If I start sliding left I hit the right rear brake and it pulls the front end back where I want it.

Mike

B_Childress · Dec 27, 2002

Thanks for the replys. I could probably slow down a bit. When I first got the tractor last year I had a problem with the blower clogging up because I was going to slow. Dealer told me not to baby it. Open up the throttle and get on it. So I usually go until I hear/feel the tractor bog a bit then back off slightly to find my speed. Thought about the individual rear break but haven't used it yet. This is my second season and I actually haven't unlocked and tried the individual break pedals yet. That should pull the front end round.
Barnett

RAllen · Dec 27, 2002

I have a 2910 with chains and a front mount blower. Live in the mountains of Montana and do have a problem from time to time with the front end sliding around. First, my dealer advised I could put studs in the R-4 fronts. Will not help with soft snow but will help with ice and crusty snow. That's when the problem is most noticeable. If you have pavement or concrete you should consider potential damage and you might need two sets of front tires. If you have no pavement, you could run the studs year round.

The second thing that I might suggest is your sander filled with salt/sand might be too heavy making your front end a little light. In any case you might try plowing with sander off and re-attaching it if you need to spread sand after plowing. Also try filling the sander with a partical load and see if it helps.

Good luck

Rick

Thomas · Dec 27, 2002

Sounds like not enough weight on the frontend w/the blower down and pushing..maybe if you left the blower an inch or so,that might help for traction on the frontend,than do a clean up afterwards in the very steep areas...I to have the same problem when trying to plow a 16" plus storm.

snowman · Dec 28, 2002

I have kind of the same set up as you, except mine is a B7500 and my rear tires are not filled.

I usually run with the blower in float, and generally cannot turn when it is like this (it just does a very slow gradual turn).

What I do is simply raise the blower just enough to get it off of the driveway and you can then turn as sharp as you want. Leaves a little bit of snow, but that shouldn't be a problem. On mine, I have a reat blade that I'll sometime use in conjunction with the blower, so the blade will scrape up anything the blower doesn't get.

B_Childress · Dec 28, 2002

I float the blower also when removing snow. I think slowing down a bit and using the independent rear wheel brakes will do the trick. I'm still a bit new at this, just got the tractor last year and we didn't get much snow. The front end sliding around occurs when we get a mix of snow/sleet then snow on top. This year seems to be the icy pattern for every storm. Very slick. That's also the reason I got the rear chains this year. Thanks again for the reply's. It looks like more snow in the forcast for New Years so I'll let you know if better driving/operating technique does the trick :>.
Thanks,
Barnett

Anonymous Poster · Dec 28, 2002

I run a JD 710 backhoe and do several banks, stores and a huge new high school in central Massachusetts. It is a five town regional with 1200 parking spots. Even a 710, big machine at just over 30K in weight, and the front end is constantly all over the place. For the first time this last storm, just over 9" and some sleet to make it interesting. we mounted St. Pierre roller chains to the front, and this shows no real difference other than at the end of each lot, piling the snow. I've done it so long and with this same machine, I guess I don't pay that much attention to the front skidding around.