Chains and Protecting the Concrete Floors

[DCJL]

I've got a TC34DA and will be running rear chains on it in the winter. Do I need to protect my concrete floors with rubber mats or can I just drive over it with the chains on without any damage. If I need to protect the floor, what would you recommend using?

 

[MrJimi]

1/2 plywood is good and cheaper than rubber mats
Jim

 

[DCJL]

Yep thanks, thought about that but a bit concerned with all the water from the melting snow in the winter.

Still does anyone know if a 3400# (including 800#s of loaded tires) tractor with regular chains will mar up concrete?

 

[Gryantaylor]

Yep thanks, thought about that but a bit concerned with all the water from the melting snow in the winter.

Still does anyone know if a 3400# (including 800#s of loaded tires) tractor with regular chains will mar up concrete?

We've got a jeep wrangler with a plow and snow chains. After parking in the garage for a few years you could see tracks where the concrete was pitted. Yes, chains will eventually damage the concrete. (some more then others)

 

[MrJimi]

Yep thanks, thought about that but a bit concerned with all the water from the melting snow in the winter.

Still does anyone know if a 3400# (including 800#s of loaded tires) tractor with regular chains will mar up concrete?

Yes

 

[DCJL]

Thanks, then protection for the floors it is.

In the meantime I put the chains on to play around in the free muck I had delivered while trying to build up a drop off on my property. Some nice dirt, some clay muck. I was moving it yesterday with turf tires and had to break out a shovel to knock down a pile of the stuff that accumulated behind my front tires while I was trying to back up a hill. Could not go forward as it was a cliff. Locking the diff and using the bucket to assist did not work.
Today with the chains on the rear it worked 100% better. Never needed the bucket and only had to lock the diff a couple of times. The only thing is I need to add about 1/2" spacers so I can use a blade or grading box with the chains, otherwise the chains scalp the 3pt hitches brackets a bit.

 

[drizler]

How about old snowmobile tracks. I can get them free locally as they make them in my town but still I bet you can get some from the local dealers as they have to pay to have them hauled away. A cut track is 15 inches wide by about 300 inches I guess more or less long. nothing wears better and they roll right up into a ball when not in use. They also keep your tires up off the ground some. I use them to hold tarps down on stationary items too. Their drawback is their weight, perhaps 35 lbs. The beauty is storage. You just roll them up and stuff them in the treeline. They will outlast you and me even sitting in the weather.

 

[DCJL]

I like the idea of old snowmobile tracks. I'll see if I can get a set or 2. Thanks

 

[drizler]

I didn't notice where you live but since you are pretty much in the neighborhood...... If you can't get any from the local dealers drive across the lake to Plattsburgh. The place I got mine is Camoplast which is in the industrial park right in back of the old Clinton county airport. Its about a block or 2 to the East of the airport back in the industrial trade park. They manufacture most of the worlds snowmobile tracks so every day they have a pile of cast offs from then the machines jam or they come to the end of a run. These are brand new paddle tracks with 2 inch paddles I have . All you have to do is drive up to the office and ask them if they have any on hand. I imagine you should give em a call prior and show up towards the end of the day.

 

[Egon]

Just lay down a couple of planks.