Calling all winter experts!!!

[MikePA]

TerryinMD,

I'm usually in Bedford once a month, so I might just drive up to South Fork and buy a set and save the shipping.

It's a bummer they do not make the duo-grip in the size I need (15 x 19.5). I don't want the chains to drop down into the lugs on my R4s and be useless.

I see you're from Sharpsburg. I've spent many a nice day on the Antietam battlefield.

 

[Boondox]

Never seen R4s do much good in snow with even a slight grade. Tractor weight helps a lot, but around here we need the aggressive Nordic-style ice chains. Pic attached doesn't show the spikes well, but they stick out about an inch. They get me home even after an ice storm. (Don't use these on pavement!)

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

 

[TerryinMD]

MikePA,

The in-laws live just out side of Somerset and I was thinking of running up to South Fork myself. How far up 219 from Somerset.

Yep, we live about 2 miles as the crow flies from the battlefield. In fact, there are some watch/encampment spots on a couple of our neighbors lots. Our subdivision borders the C&O canal and has probably seen a lot of history pass through it. If you ever get a chance, you should come down during Sharpsburg Heritage Days. It cooincides with dates of the Battle of Antitem (Or as our Southern Friends say, the Battle of Sharpsburg). It is a great area to live in and has not been ruined like Gettysburg. The locals have not allowed this to happen. Thank goodness. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Terry

 

[MikePA]

Somerset to South Fork is 34 miles.

My sister has been at Heritage Days and said it was fantastic. We've been there in the late fall when there's very few people and since it's not like Gettysburg, it's very easy to imagine what it must have been like at places like Bloody Lane.

 

[TerryinMD]

Mike,

We attended the 135th anniversary reinactment a few years back. The one we attended, similuated the Bloody Lane fight. There were thousands of Union and Confederate soldier in the battle. When the Union forces hit the top of the ridge, the Confederates let loose with their gunfire and cannons. All of the spectators just gasped at the horror of it. It was very chilling. Those poor soldiers back then had more courage than I could ever imagine. These guys died a nearly point blank range. Unimagineable!! The 140th is coming up and a reinactment will be done again.

On another note, they are currently shooting a new movie to be called "Generals and Gods" or "Gods and Generals". Can't remember which. A few friends and neighbors have been called up to be in the movie as they are reinactors and just love to do anything that lets them act as Civil War soldiers.

Terry

 

[MikePA]

I succumbed to the ease of the Internet and ordered a set of ladder chains and tensioners for my TC25D.

 

[BigDan]

I bought my B5200 with back blade last year primarily for snow removal (lawn mowing comes secondarily). I was initially somewhat disappointed until I learned some lessons:

(1) As was mentioned somewhere here yesterday -- plow with the snow. It's much easier to move 6" than 12" (besides of which, it works). Gotta keep up.

(2) I mainly plow going forward, with the rear blade at a sharp angle. The tractor goes over the 6" of snow without a problem and the blade moves it to the side. It helps on gravel to turn the blade around backwards until the gravel is frozen down.

(3) Parking areas and such, I drive backwards and push the snow to the edge. This is after I have swung through it going forwards as much a possible.

(4) Then, comes clean-up. I go through and push backwards the snow piles on the edges as far as I can. With practice on lifting the rear blade, I can get 5-6' piles. But, you got to push it as far as you can, because it piles up faster than you think. (Oh, for a FEL to make the piles better).

This got me through all but the BIG snow last winter -- we got about 36" before I could get out (long story - tempory housing, waiting for them to plow, getting to the house, etc.)

Best of luck -- be patient.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

1) Does anyone have a recommendation on what type of rear tire chains could be used on R4's TC40D? There seems to be little or nearly no room to add the chains between the Wheel well/fender and the tire.
2) If there is a chain that would apply, does anyone know how effective they are since the chain would undoubtedly be rather small?
3) If there is a chain that applies, where would one find that kind of chain to purchase?
Thanks for the help and insight! Personal exprience stories would really be appreciated!

 

[snowman]

I have R4's on my B7500 with a front mount snowblower. I never really had any traction problems with them (on a gravel driveway). Biggest problem was slipping sideways. I went off the side of the driveway once and got stuck.

Part of the problem was that I had no weight on the back. I purchased a back blade over the summer and will stick that on for the winter.

I also purchased rear tire chains about a month ago from tirechains.com - cost was about $113; they fit right out of the box. My father in law has a Yanmar and said that chains would be a great improvement.

I paved the driveway over the summer, so the chains I got were the basic ladder type, instead of any sharp ones that would dig into the pavement.

Going to take my MMM brackets off this weekend and put on my snowblower brackets; then I'll be ready for the snow (I'm in Central New York).

 

[snowman]

Bruce;

tirechains.com had a chart for the chains, so you need to look up your tire size. For each size, they showed the types of chains that were available.

The chains I got are not small at all; they appear to be quite sturdy. I thought I would have a problem with them falling between the tire lugs, but they don't. I also don't have any clearence problems; I put them on when I got them about a month ago to try them out and everything cleared fine (not much room to spare). I used 12" rubber bungee cords to tighten everything up after I put the chains on.