Snow Got to play in the snow this morning...

[KrisHansen]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Who said never use chains on the front. Every municipality I ever saw with 4 X 4 tractors chain the fronts only. )</font>

My NH dealer. I have NEVER seen a 4x4 tractor, backhoe or anything other than a skidder with chains on all 4.

 

[gerard]

wow - those are some aggresive chains!! Look like skidding chains with carbide? But thats what I would expect for $1000. (How close was my guess?)
I've gone through winters without chains using R1's, heavy snow area (120-190 inches per year), then bought the chains and was glad I did. Just gives better traction and for $200 they'll last the life of the tractor. I have some slope but not too crazy but I wouldn't want to plow without chains again. (Used tirechains.com and was very happy with the duogrip style)

 

[KrisHansen]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( (How close was my guess?) )</font>

About $300 high..

these things are absolutely amazing. So far, I have tested them out in mud, and have been able to work in areas I couldn't even just drive through without the chains. Well worth the price.

They also add a lot of weight to the rear.. I am not a little wimp, but I had a tough time lifting the bundle for each side, ended up dragging them to the tractor.

The only bad thing is I have to lay boards on my garage floor, the studs do a number on the concrete.

 

[jimg]

Yes, that looks like the pattern I was shown. I think you have a midchassis machine? If so I can see why the cost was more.

Youre assertion about back only agrees w/ what the chain guy at my dealer said. He indicated that while he could sell me a set for the front it wouldnt be a good idea. He mentioned that it would be pretty hard on the front drive train.

jimg

 

[jimg]

One more thing....I think the pattern you got was a good move. Looks like theyd stick to ice pretty good. Thats why Im going w/ this pattern. We can get a fair amt of ice at times either directly from above or from the thaw/freeze cylces.

Do you use the tighteners...the bungy cords that run across the tire?

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue"> He mentioned that it would be pretty hard on the front drive train. </font>
In 4wd with no differential between the front and rear axles, if all four wheels have great traction, as would happen with chains, and you attempt to turn, something has to give.

 

[tc35dforme]

Dumb question.....but, do all 4 wheels really drive ?? On my TC35D I notice opposing corners all the time. Left front and right rear spin. Others are idle. It's not like posi....unless you step on the lock pedal.

 

[KrisHansen]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Dumb question.....but, do all 4 wheels really drive ?? On my TC35D I notice opposing corners all the time. Left front and right rear spin. Others are idle. It's not like posi....unless you step on the lock pedal. )</font>

Not a dumb question at all. You are correct, with open differentials, you will generally spin the wheel with the least traction. Lock up the rear end, and the fronts will still have this tendancy.

Still though, I was strongly cautioned against chains on the fronts. Not that I really found need for them going backwards.

 

[ducati996]

I have a smaller machine compared to the other posts, but I wondering why traction was a problem without chains, but with loaded tires and 4wd? First storm last week I used my JD4100 R4's with a FEL & rear blade (5ft), loaded tires, 4wd to clear roads with approx 15% grades(or higher) and I was ok !!
Was able to clear down to pavement with snow amounts up to 12"....we got a total of 20" in all but the town did a sweep before me! used the diff lock when I started spinning but very little...

just wondering

 

[KrisHansen]

Not really sure why, the only thing I know is the first 1/3 of my road is insanely steep (roughly 30%), and that is where i was having the problems. This is the kind of hill my tractor can barely climb in the middle range. With my OFA chains, it will back up pushing the blower no problem at all.