Chains BX2200 Front Wheel Chains ??

[1funride]

Has anyone mounted front chains on the BX2200 ??
I know the owners manuals says don't do it, but that additional traction would be nice. We are getting tons of snow in NY this year and I have gotten it stuck twice. Those little tires on the BX get buried pretty easy. Just curious if someone has done it and what the results were.

 

[crawdad]

do you have turfs or bar tread???????
that may be the difference

 

[Junkman]

I have buried the front tires on my BX-22 in the snow and have never been stuck for more than 30 seconds.... I use the loader to push myself out if I can't get it started with the 4 wheel drive. If you don't have enough tractions, it might be because you have turf tires???? I have bar tires for the winter and I doubt that chains would be much more of a help. The idea is to learn how not to get stuck and if you get stuck, learn how to avoid it the next time. I have filled rear tires and a Kubota weight box on the rear with 600 pounds in it even though Kubota suggest 300 pounds for the BX.....

 

[RyanL]

I, Have front chains on my NH1320 4wd it has turf tires, have not had any problems with it. It does make a big difference in traction. But the 1320 is bigger then the BX so i don't know if it will work for you.

Ryan

 

[Wood_Butcher_Dav]

I have Turf tires and use chains for the back wheels only. This seems to work well for me. We have not had any real deep snow /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif since I have had my tractor for almost 2 years. I have also done alot of dirt work and the rear chains make a big difference. Some people also have two sets of tires and wheels and switch between seasons.

Dave

 

[moeh1]

I have turfs also ( with some wear) and I ended up with an old set of tractor trailer chains on the rear and a set of car/truck tire chains on the front. This was a good match for the tractor ( all that would clear the fenders) and not terribly agressive compared with some of the other chain set-ups I've seen. I have a couple of steep spots and the rear snowblower lightens the front end enough that the front chains are a big help in driving and steering at the same time. The fronts are currently set up as 4 link, I may alter to 2 link down the road, but not in this weather. My way of thinking is that using chains all the way around keeps me from having a traction problem and I don't get the tractor into a situation where I am pushing it and more prone to breaking something, but I am aware that the set-up might have the potential to put stress on the front end and I drive accordingly.

 

[scottg]

I too have gotten my BX2200 stuck in the snow. I am using a rear blade to plow snow. I definitely think I need some weight on the front end to compensate but considering a set of chains as well. I agree with Junkman, we both need to learn how not to get stuck. I am new to the machine and still getting familiar with it.

 

[sandyc]

It must be luck as I have a 2200 that I use to both plow(front) and snowblow a 300 foot gravel drive with a bit of a hill and have not been stuck yet. I run filled Ag tires and carry a 300 pound weight box on the rear. If I try to cut a sharp corner I can feel and see the front wheels breaking loose almost like a four wheel slide.....
One thing you might try if you get stuck is using the diff lock. The added traction might be enough to pull you out.

 

[1funride]

Thanks for the advice. Sounds like no one has tried chains yet. Probably as the newness wears off the machines people will begin to try them. I have a steep driveway with a drop off on one side, you can get in trouble very quickly even if you are being careful. I'm using the hydraulic front blade. It does a nice job, but I am running out of room to put the snow. Should have bought the snowblower instead. I have loaded turfs with chains, the front tires do very little work. I doubt AG tires would help, since they would not bite into the ice like chains. The front tires are so small they get buried along with the axle very easily in the deeper snow. I am going to add a concrete rear weight, probably around 350-400 pounds.

 

[paparammer]

I have a BX1800 with both front blade and blower. Loaded turf tires with about 200# on the TPH. Only came close to getting stuck once using the blade when I was trying to push snow over the top of a pile (ala Junkman but with a blade). In that situation the blade tends to ride up over the top and then the snow cascades down on the way back, sometimes floating the front tires. But with a wiggle-waggle of the blade plus differential lock, the situation doesn't last more than 10-15 seconds. Have chains for the rear but haven't even come close to needing them yet. Friday's coming storm may change that - they're talking about freezing rain and the bottom third (~100 ft)of the driveway is steep. Waiting to see how it does.