Chains on rear wheels only with inverted snowblower

[TractorTYMe]

Hi! Guys,

I am waiting on my MK Martin MB68 P/T inverted snowblower for next snow season, but my question is? Can I get away with chains on rear tire mostly. I take care of the ranch I live on with 6 houses on 30 acres. Mostly flat except the last part of driveway entering highway is pretty steep.

 

[shooterdon]

I get 120-140" of snow a year and last year was my first year with a pull blower. 74" FarmKing pulled by LS 4140 cab with loaded turfs. No problems at all but all flat. If you do not have turfs, traction will be less and depending on how steep your one spot is, chains might be a wise move. If I had problems I was going to stud the rear tires. I have oversized turfs and putting chains on is a very poor option for me at my age.

 

[TractorTYMe]

I have R4 industrial tires. I figure I'll try H-style chains on rear's first before I determine if it is needed to equip the front's too? We average 100-120'' of snow just outside Glacier Park, we're close to the continental divide and get dumped on at times.

 

[oosik]

I have R-1's on my Kubota M6040. Because of the weight - 10,010# - I have never needed chains - period. My M6040 has 4WD.

When - for whatever reason - the plowing/blowing gets tough. Do what I do. I have a valley in my mile long driveway. I use a rear blade to plow snow. If it's so slick that I can't pull up out of the valley - go to the top of the valley and plow/blow DOWN the hill into the valley. It may take a couple more trips but it avoids the need for chains.

If your tractor is not 4WD - get a good set of chains - front & rear.

 

[TractorTYMe]

I have a 7' rear blade available to take care of berms if the edge becomes bad. Yes my TYM T474 is 4wd. I know my ATV does REALLY well with chains all around, I can double the amount of snow I push with my 5' blade. Sometimes we get a few wet/freeze cycles that makes everything a sheet of ice.

 

[oosik]

TYMNorsky - I have a large field that can thaw and drain down onto the road on one side of the valley in my driveway. This thaw/melt water will freeze on the road. This is the one condition where I plow from the top of the road DOWN into the valley.

I have cut a ditch to handle the melt water on that side of the driveway. Usually this will handle the situation. However - there are times when the water freezes/overflows/freezes and fills this ditch. Then the melt water runs down the driveway on that one side of the valley. Turns the driveway into a sloped ice skating rink. Fun & games..........

BTW - like your avatar. What did your dog think about the situation?

 

[TractorTYMe]

The dog was a picture of my spirit animal on how I feel most days anymore. Well back to snowremoval on sheet of ice, yes I did what you with my halfton truck plow. Plow downhill in most cases......and with a snowblower there won't be nearly the same weight to deal with either.

Here is the rig btw, 2019 TYM T474 48.3Hp

 

[leonz]

With that mule and those rear fenders I hope you have 3 inches of clearance at the front edge of the fender as otherwise 4 link V bar chains will not work.

If the chains do not fit you will need to have the rear tires loaded and invest in a set of 4 link V bar chains for the front tires or invest in combine tires and wheels to make room for chains.

 

[crazyal]

I've never needed chains in the front for the hills around here. I steer with the brakes if needed and lock in the rear diff if a tire starts to slip.

 

[TractorTYMe]

I chose these H-pattern DUO239 7mm alloy chains for the rear since I have limited fender room on the front of the rear fender.

 

[leonz]

The duos are very good chains, If I were you I would ask your Tym dealer if wheel spacers
are available for your mule to increase the clearance from the fenders.

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

You there on the Flat Head are likely much like us here near the Yukon.. Both where winter can have attitude..

I run V bar, 2 link ladder chains on 36" loaded turf tires, and an older 50" Buhler 3pt blower.. Many have said, you won't do much with that.... But they have been surprised..

 

[TractorTYMe]

Hi! Wyobuckaroo, indeed! Central Flathead valley average 57 inches of snow a year. Just 10 miles outside where I live we average 110-120 inches of snow. But this is still low amount to me, as I was growing up in North Norway at 69 Degrees North........there we had WINTER.

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

Hi! Wyobuckaroo, indeed! Central Flathead valley average 57 inches of snow a year. Just 10 miles outside where I live we average 110-120 inches of snow. But this is still low amount to me, as I was growing up in North Norway at 69 Degrees North........there we had WINTER.

+++
...... Uff-Duh..... Many years ago... My big brother and I ran hunting camps in some of that country... But I will deny any stories about those times...

In Missoula, is there still a pan cake cafe on the west side of Malfunction Junction ?? ?? Used to be called Pauls Pancake House.... ?? ??

 

[TractorTYMe]

I don't know if it still there, I'll check with the wife, she went to college there.

 

[BrokenTrack]

On my skidders I put double-diamond ice chains on the front, but never the back because all that does is make the skidder rear up. Putting them on the front allows the front the climb over obstacles better.

On my tractor I run H ice chains on the rear tires only. I really hate chains, but it makes such a huge difference that is just a requirement.

 

[LouNY]

View attachment 665493

I chose these H-pattern DUO239 7mm alloy chains for the rear since I have limited fender room on the front of the rear fender.

Have you already bought those chains?
I hope not. While they will provide decent traction in snow they are not that good on ice and the ride quality is terrible.
I went with the euro style studded chains several years ago after going through all the others for many years.
The Aqualine Talons and others of that style will grip so much more and the ride is smooth almost like not even having chains on.
View attachment IMG_20180111_113547661.jpg View attachment IMG_20180111_105420194_HDR.jpg

 

[EarPlug]

In Missoula, is there still a pan cake cafe on the west side of Malfunction Junction ?? ?? Used to be called Pauls Pancake House.... ?? ??

paulspancake.com

 

[Tinhack]

I wasn't tractoring when I lived in the NE Ohio snow belt so can someone please explain; What is an "Inverted Snowblower"?

 

[leonz]

I wasn't tractoring when I lived in the NE Ohio snow belt so
can someone please explain; what is an "Inverted Snowblower"?

The inverted snow blower or snow thrower is built in several variations but it operates by
being dragged behind the tractor collecting the snow and funneling it to the impeller and
then discharging up the chute and out.

The design requires higher horsepower and weight to operate effectively and cannot remove
deep snows or frozen snow berms due to its on the three point hitch location and forward facing intake.
The PTO shaft and reduction gearbox is also mounted differently and fully exposed in the opening of the
snow blower.
when you look closely at the Pronovost inverted snowblower you will see how the propeller shaft enters
the gearbox in front of the cross auger to power the impeller.