best tires for snow plowing

[sdxuv850d]

I am looking forward to some input on what would be the best tires for plowing snow for my diesel gator. I currently have the stock all purpose tires for summer use and bought a set of the new yellow alloy wheels so that i have two sets. Now i need the tires to put on the second set of wheels. I don't have much mud riding if any at all and would be used mostly for snow plowing and hunting in the winter months. I was looking at the Mudlite XTR's or Carlisle 489 XL's, any other advice or suggestions.

 

[nmu98]

I had mudlites XTR's on my Honda Rincon and Brute Force. I could go through a lot of snow. But I was stuck on ice. Without something for the pretty hard lugs to chew on, I went nowhere. If you are plowing on a driveway or frozen gravel, I think that mud tires, or aggresive tires are a bad choice. I think your best bet will be with a soft sipped tire that you run at low pressure. Or better yet, a smoother tire with V chains.

 

[jcmseven]

The Mudlites are tough to beat for snow, as are the Maxxis Bighorn's. Actually, the stock HDAP or HPAP treads from Carlisle are fine in snow also. None of these tires do too well in ice, but on anything else they are all good. I have larger diameter Mudlites on mine and have been satisfied with their performance. They just ride rough--my only real complaint. If you want maximum snow traction, go with some Mattracks. I have actually thought about them some, but with only 5-6 snows per year, they are cost prohibitive for me.

John M

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

i don't have snow down here but the mudlite XL'S do really good in the mud so i would think they would do good in snow too plus they ride tretty smooth not as rough as a 589. . now if you really want something that will pull go with a 589.

 

[nmu98]

i don't have snow down here but the mudlite XL'S do really good in the mud so i would think they would do good in snow too plus they ride tretty smooth not as rough as a 589. . now if you really want something that will pull go with a 589.

Tommy,
Snowplowng is not like driving through a ton of snow. The plow ussually leaves a slippery surface after it scrapes the snow. Very aggresive mud tires are the worst thing for plowing snow.

He needs a tire that has a lot of small, soft contact patches. The best are almost like turf tires, or like the original atv tires from the 80's.... They ned to clean out and have great contact. Mud tires lack on contact.

 

[jcmseven]

nmu,

I would have thought the same thing, but I would say the Mudlites on my Gator get really good traction on snow or even freshly plowed surfaces. I would say they are better than a HPAP tire, but not by much. They are not a pure ribbed tread tire, as they have two sets of spaced ribs for better traction. I do think you have a good point in that some punctate treaded tires such as the Maxxis Bighorn or Dirt Commander do very well in snow as they have smaller more adjunct knobs that are configured in different angles. I used to have an X 595 JD tractor with which I plowed before my Gator. It had the HDAP tires and they got great grip in snow, but tended to clog easily with snowy residue which then froze in the tread bites. The tractor would go fine, but stopping on hillsides was another matter and sometimes scary, so one must be cautious with this phenomenon with the more tightly treaded tires.

John M

 

[SPYDERLK]

Tommy,
Snowplowng is not like driving through a ton of snow. The plow ussually leaves a slippery surface after it scrapes the snow. Very aggresive mud tires are the worst thing for plowing snow.

He needs a tire that has a lot of small, soft contact patches. The best are almost like turf tires, or like the original atv tires from the 80's.... They ned to clean out and have great contact. Mud tires lack on contact.

very true if plowing on pavement because that allows you scrape right down to the surface. The requirement is different on softer surfaces where you dont scrape clean. Such favors a more aggressive tread.
larry