First disappointment

[JoelD]

I leave backhoe on uNless I have box blade or othe attachment on
gives me a bunch of traction without it I have very little traction

as mentioned use your spilt brakes I use them a lot in the winter

Joel

 

[Signa]

Well, thanks, guys. It sounds like the consensus is that the backhoe is too much ballast. I think that's definitely plausible and I'll try to take it off sometime, but right now it's too cold to mess with! For reference, my BH is 1400# and the loader/bucket is about 1000#

 

[Signa]

I had the same problem...for me, it was time to learn to use the steering brakes.
I've made the decision to get tirechains for the rears but not the fronts. Chains on the fronts may be OK with some machines, but as robust as the 790 is, I don't think I want to put that much stress on the front axle.
As far as the OP's question...I suggest the BH may be more ballast then required for the snow plowing (which echoes others' posts).

I thought about steering brakes, but like you said, it's something I have to learn.

I know the front axle/diff isn't nearly as robust as the rear, but didn't think running front chains in the snow would give the front enough extra traction to wear it out. Thanks for the thoughts!

 

[JB4310]

I'll fourth the BH idea, it's killing your steer axle grip!

Yup, but should provide wicked good skid steer control if that split brake option is there.

JB.

 

[LBrown59]

I leave backhoe on uNless I have box blade or othe attachment on
gives me a bunch of traction without it I have very little traction.

Joel

And poor stability.