GC 1705 in snow

[GeneV]

I don't recommend adding counterbalance for plowing. If you need weight, you're better off with filled tires and/or wheel weights. A counterbalance off the back will lighten your front end, which you don't want when plowing or pushing the snow with a box.

 

[Dmacleo]

keep in mind (on a GC series) without wheel spacers you run high chance of damaging your differential lock linkage .
those using CUTS as an example don't know that a GC series SCUT with any chain has only 1/2 inch at most (depends on chain thickness) clearance to a linkage that can ruin your drivetrain.
basically don't use chains until you use wheel spacers and the rear chains will help you the most.
I ran rear chains (also ran front chains, waste of money) with 3" spacers for a season. all told they were not the best option for ME as I was using rear blower but in many cases they do help. as long as you (on a GC series SCUT) don't tear your differential lock lever out of your transaxle. that will cost you.

edit:added GC series clarification.

 

[oldpilot]

I've been plowing in southeastern New Hampshire for more than fifty years. Always with chains on the rear tires, on a 25-30 hp tractor (a 1952 Allis Chalmers, a 1975 International 284, and a recent Mahindra 1626). Our driveway is 1/3 mile, all gravel except for the parking area and a steep section that's paved. The snow is usually wet. Definitely I'd choose industrial tread and ladder chains. I don't see the point in putting chains on the front -- indeed, I generally find it's a mistake to use the Mahindra's front-wheel drive. I keep my left foot on the rear-wheel differential lock almost all the time. I'm 91 and have no problem putting on the chains in November (though hanging them up again in April is becoming a challenge).

The only other piece of wisdom I have to share is that Worksaver plows are a POS. I don't dare plow faster than walking speed, and even at 4 mph I've broken the plow twice in the past three winters.

 

[Dmacleo]

Fwiw I snow blow few driveways and sometimes clear 1200ft by 24ft private road with my gc2400 and use bucket in mid Maine.
Running no chains.
I get a lot of ice. Chains SUCK then.

What's worked best for me is an R1 tire mounted in reverse on front (rear blower) and R4 tires mounted normally on rear. Did try R1 on rear but lost bit of ground clearance.

After winter I swap the fronts side to side.

 

[LouNY]

Running no chains.
I get a lot of ice. Chains SUCK then.

Are you saying chains don't work on ice??

If so you haven't used a good set of chains.

 

[pwhite42]

I am wondering how well a 2017 GC 1705 will push and load snow. Do I need chains just on the front or no chains at?

We have a GC2300 as one of our tractors. I added wheel weights and spiked chains. My driveway is fairly steep. They worked well. After I get it paved again I don't think I'll use the spiked chains. I may go back to the regular chains. Maybe I'll just plow on the downhill run.

 

[LouNY]

My driveway is quite steep and no matter what type of rig is being used for plowing, trying to plow uphill is hard. It's a tire spinning chain chewing wheel hopping exercise in fustration so I just plow it all downhill. Plow down reverse and hustle back up and plow down again, repeat till done. It's easy to plow downhill, I could just use neutral and lots of brake to keep the speed down.

 

[Dmacleo]

Are you saying chains don't work on ice??

If so you haven't used a good set of chains.

I'm saying for MY uses chains were a hindrance.
as much rubber hitting the ground works best for ME in MY area with MY climate.
been using chains on many vehicles since 1982 or so. they definitely have their good points.
they are not a panacea.

 

[Yander]

@weeder after reading all of the different opinions and almost no two alike, I'll repeat my comment from earlier in the thread. You have to try things and see what works for you based on your climate, driveway, and needs in general.

I've plowed driveways with chains that I couldn't have plowed without chains. I plowed driveways with R4s with success. Your tractor is light, so the guys who are plowing with heavier machines with loaded tires will have a different experience.

Your tires are small, loading them will get you maybe #100 lbs of ballast. You need weight on the back with R4s just not so much weight that it makes your front end light. Again, experiment with that. Easy to add, remove weight as necessary. Wheel weights is also an option for weight but not sure how expensive they are.

 

[weeder]

@weeder after reading all of the different opinions and almost no two alike, I'll repeat my comment from earlier in the thread. You have to try things and see what works for you based on your climate, driveway, and needs in general.

I've plowed driveways with chains that I couldn't have plowed without chains. I plowed driveways with R4s with success. Your tractor is light, so the guys who are plowing with heavier machines with loaded tires will have a different experience.

Your tires are small, loading them will get you maybe #100 lbs of ballast. You need weight on the back with R4s just not so much weight that it makes your front end light. Again, experiment with that. Easy to add, remove weight as necessary. Wheel weights is also an option for weight but not sure how expensive they are.

Okay I want to THANK everyone for all of the advice I need that