Chains Chains for mud???

[53gravely]

Sorry, I know there's a post for snow here but while I will goof around in the snow with the FEL the 4wd sould handle it.

The real need is to cross a wet section of meadow at me VT place to bush hog an overgrown meadow and to pull logs, etc. in the woods. Almost buried it to the loader frame trying to get across the wet area (12inch deep silt).

My 7610 has 33x12.50x15 turfs (70% mowing grass), loaded rears, FEL, 42" bushhog. I looked on the web and the options are 2 link or 4 link.

Advantages of 2 link in mud (and snow)? ($190 vs $135)
How long to put on once experienced? Tensioners?
Do I need fronts, too? I think I've got the axle clearance.

Are there differences or do I take the cheapest price on the web?

Please help the poor flatlander putz from Joisey /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[beenthere]

Pretty easy to 'goof' around in the snow and not need chains, but when the snow gets some rain or sun to melt it a bit, and it turns to ice, chains are needed, IMO.

For mud, chains will help some, but I don't think too much. I soemetimes leave mine on in the spring when logging in the woods to get better traction in mud, but its more to keep from spinning on a root and the frost just below the mud, than it is for the mud itself.

Sounds like you need a road or a bridge, so you can stay out of the wet, muddy spots. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Bob53]

Agree, I'm confront mud a lot and with 12" slit even the bar tread tires do not cut it much. Expecially if you are traveling that way a lot. If you are just using the wet area to get to the fields, money would be better spent on some 3B gravel. Although not sure how big area you are dealing with.

 

[53gravely]

But they gotta be substantially better than turfs on less deep mud or in the woods? no?

The deep muddy section is about 30 yards wide. What about useing some of the saplings to cordoroy thru the mud?

 

[Bob53]

Yes the Bar are a lot better thru mud, not sure if chains will get you what you need to acomplish. If you can just gravel a path to get across. The more I go thru the my wet areas the deeper and more difficuilt it is and turns into silty mush and months to setup again. Logs would work, just keep in mind when they get wet , they become very slippery too, so make sure thick enough for tops to be out of water, expsicially if you have turf tires.
On the chains for ice, my other tractor with turf tires has no tensioners, type chains i have I let some air out put chains on and reinflate. 10-15mins if you have the air there. I only have single and works fine in ice and snow for me, but then its mostly flat. if you are dealing with steep, the dual my be worth the extra money.

 

[simonmeridew]

You can usually cross a soggy meadow once. The second time you may get stuck. The third you will get stuck. Chains will help some, but then you have rutted up your meadow and these ruts will stay for years. Get a couple of loads of bank run gravel and use your FEL to make a road.
Just my opinion
simonmeridew

 

[guyrj33]

I removed most of the Calcium Chloride solution in my B7800 rear turf tires. I have a backhoe that I leave on the tractor. With the backhoe and the loaded tires it was too heavy and quickly sank in the soft areas of the yard.
Now that the rears are lighter I do much better in the soft areas. Still as another poster mentioned if you travel over a soft area many times it will make mud.