Front snow chains for M59

TWD · Feb 1, 2022

This last storm where we saw almost 4' and about 3.5' was on top of ice\snow I had a hell of a time making it back up my driveway after plowing and the warm\freeze cycle turned it into an ice rink

looking to put some chains on the front of my m59 now...

I don't want the super aggressive chains as I do sometimes go down to the asphalt and hit the area in front of my driveway too.

Suggestions? Size I need?
Any to stay away from?

mikester · Feb 2, 2022

If you are buying new the vendor will size the chains based on your tire size. You will need to adjust the size to get them tight. Make sure to use a spring spider, you don't have a lot of clearance around your steering mechanism.

If I had to deal with four foot snowfalls I'd get euro style chains front and back.

This year has been icy for me so far and I'm trying low profile M8x18 studs. I'm pleased with the results so far with only a single stud in each lug on the tire centerline. I only have a foot of snow currently.

TWD · Feb 2, 2022

mikester said:
If you are buying new the vendor will size the chains based on your tire size. You will need to adjust the size to get them tight. Make sure to use a spring spider, you don't have a lot of clearance around your steering mechanism.

If I had to deal with four foot snowfalls I'd get euro style chains front and back.

This year has been icy for me so far and I'm trying low profile M8x18 studs. I'm pleased with the results so far with only a single stud in each lug on the tire centerline. I only have a foot of snow currently.

Thanks! I wasn't aware of that, good to know.

We usually deal with 2-3' for storms with anything over 3' you have to be sure to clear before trying to drive through or you may end up stuck and clawing out with the backhoe

that slight grade becomes a hassle, and then I also risk digging up my trails and driveway. When we're pushing 4', like this last storm I had to to try to make it along my fence line and flatten it down in-case another storm came through... I don't want my dogs trying to make a jump for it

and the pigs with their 36" fence... luckily they weigh a lot and sink but it was getting VERY close for our boar to just walk out

The ice is more of the issue after I plow and I'm left with that bottom layer that turns to ice... and then it's around for awhile

How do you guarnatee your studs wont get ripped out and then driven on by another car\truck and cause a flat? That's my concern with doing something like that.

LouNY · Feb 2, 2022

The Euro style chain is the most expensive, but you are getting what you pay for.
The most traction, the smoothest ride that chains can provide.
Also they will not tear up your driveway or pavement unless you are spinning and chewing.
And those studs on those chains grip in the ice.

mikester · Feb 3, 2022

TWD said:
Thanks! I wasn't aware of that, good to know.

We usually deal with 2-3' for storms with anything over 3' you have to be sure to clear before trying to drive through or you may end up stuck and clawing out with the backhoe that slight grade becomes a hassle, and then I also risk digging up my trails and driveway. When we're pushing 4', like this last storm I had to to try to make it along my fence line and flatten it down in-case another storm came through... I don't want my dogs trying to make a jump for it and the pigs with their 36" fence... luckily they weigh a lot and sink but it was getting VERY close for our boar to just walk out

The ice is more of the issue after I plow and I'm left with that bottom layer that turns to ice... and then it's around for awhile

How do you guarnatee your studs wont get ripped out and then driven on by another car\truck and cause a flat? That's my concern with doing something like that.

It's all new territory for me, I guess I'll just have to learn from experience! No sense in worrying about it twice, the studs are in.

Erik M · Feb 3, 2022

You need to decide what you need and are willing to pay for, the fancy studded and Euro pattern chains cost a lot more than standard chains and I don’t get what people are talking about when it comes to ride with a tractor unless you have a lot of transits on paved roads at higher speeds. These chains cost about $450 a side and give me all the traction I need on the packed snow and ice, no way was I going to pay $1200 a side for hardened studded chains just to use clearing the lane, etc. These chains, like the tractor, will outlast me.

Smokeydog · Feb 3, 2022

Wow! 3.5-4’ of snow! And mountains! Your in the Nordic euro type chains category.

10-16.5 R4 tires are common skidsteer tires. Some say not for skidsteer use but you have a tractor.

Surprised you don’t need them on the rear also. What do you have on the rear? Backhoe?, blade?,blower?

5030 · Feb 3, 2022

I've only ever put chains on the front wheels of my M9000. Don't need them out back and I have nothing out back as a rule. I second the euro style chains and use tarp straps on the spiders to keep them tight. My only issue is plow steer, not traction but then I run R1 radials.

My issue with studding tractor tires is I use my tractor to farm with and drive them on the road. Studs don't work for me and I sure as hell am not going to buy a second set of tires just to plow snow with.

Rustyiron · Feb 3, 2022

mikester said:
It's all new territory for me, I guess I'll just have to learn from experience! No sense in worrying about it twice, the studs are in.

Mike I'd suggest that you leave the studs in permanently. My first year I took them out of the fronts. They leave a pretty big "pocket" that is un usable the next season.
These pictures are my old rear tires that I just replaced. The studs were in them for 5/6 years. Out of the 80 studs in each rear tire, (18.4x30) there were only 2 or 3 missing.

mikester · Feb 3, 2022

Rustyiron said:
Mike I'd suggest that you leave the studs in permanently. My first year I took them out of the fronts. They leave a pretty big "pocket" that is un usable the next season.
These pictures are my old rear tires that I just replaced. The studs were in them for 5/6 years. Out of the 80 studs in each rear tire, (18.4x30) there were only 2 or 3 missing.View attachment 732081 View attachment 732082

Awesome, thanks for the pics. I'm gonna leave mine in, thats why I went with the low profile studs. We had freezing rain yesterday and 8" of packing snow on top. Just motored on through this morning with very little tire spin. I'm liking these way better than my ladder chains. At least I don't have to worry about the chains walking and breaking something on my steering mechanism.

I only did a single stud in each lug on the center line. I figure I'll just add more studs in the future when these get worn down.