Snow HDAP or Turf Tires--which is best for snow?

[Nuru]

I use Turf Specials which are wider than normal R3s and they work fine. No chains, just the wider tread. Good traction so far.

Well let me be the first to say, I am going to eat my words. I went out and plowed tonight and I almost got stuck 5 times (I was lucky to get out) and I had trouble at the bottom of my driveway where the grading is not the best for plowing. Well I also had traction issues at the top of my driveway for th first time so lots of snow = chains. I was able to plow my driveway but it took a lot longer than it should have because I got temporarily stuck so many trimes and it took a bit of time to get out. So anyone got any suggestions for chains for my Turf Specials - (wider R3s)?

 

[jcmseven]

I had HDAP tires on an X 595 I used to own. They really did well in snow, even that with a frozen base. In fact, they are SO much better than the R 4 tires I have had on my utility tractors, I wax nostalgic for them often. The HDAP tires tread is the key. The side treads and low pressure push the excess snow out the sides while the center knobby tread punches holes in the snow to add traction. They do great in snow. I agree, with my 595 and 62c mower, I had to avoid damp spots that might have thin or limited grass coverage, lest I tear up the lawn. But, we one thinks about it, even a small lawn tractor with turf tires will make an imprint in that case. I have aften wondered why there is not such an option for a compact tractor, as these tires work so well. My dealer answered this question: the X series and 2210/2305 tractors--both of which had these tires available--did not offer loader options heavy enough to overload the sidewall rating of the front tires, or rear attachments heavy enough to overload the rears. In compact applications, loaders are so commonly used, and most compacts have such a lift capacity, that the sidewalls are at risk of rolling or blowing. I can attest to this. I bought and operated a 45 front loader with my 595. It was a very light duty loader with quite limited lift capacity but when filled to the max, it would clearly flex the sidewalls of the front tires. With this information, we must now face having R 4 tires which offer crummy traction in bad weather but very stiff sidewalls for loader work.

John M

 

[JJKJ]

Not to pull this thread too far off topic--but I have a question regarding R4 vs R3 tires with chains. I'm getting ready to purchase/order a 2320 and I have the option of R3 or R4 tires. A majority of my work with the 2320 will be mowing, second will be snow removal. I was thinking the R3's would be easier on the lawn and when equipped with chains, perhaps better for plowing snow than R4's. R4's on the 2320 are a $114 option so I'm thinking the R3's and chains would be about the same cost as the R4's.

Thanks for any advice and hopefully not too far off topic.

John

 

[diz]

I think an important distinction for anyone w/ this question is will you really be plowing (front blade or loader bucket), or snowblowing?

With the blower on my 2305 w/ turfs, I don't even bother w/ 4wd while snowblowing up or down the gentle hill of my driveway. No ballast box, no weights, nothing.

Plowing is entirely different, of course. With the blower, the only thing you're really pushing is the blower itself.

 

[jcmseven]

John,

I think you are right. I have never had a tractor with turfs, but I would think chains would be easier to mount and probably would stay put a bit better once on. I have seen some plowing occurring at our local hospital with a 4310 with turfs, and it is not pretty without chains. Like in many cases, the tractor would go OK but slid sideways and was difficult to control and stop on any real hills, meaning to me with any "real" snowfall, you would have to be committed to putting the chains on. If you get a lot of snow, and have a bit extra in your budget, it might be reasonable to see if you could get a deal on an extra set of wheels and have your dealer pre-mount the chains. JD wheels can get pricey but might be worth it. I did this with my new Polaris. I have the stock wheels and tires pre-mounted with chains, and I went to the 14" wheels with Maxxis Bighorns for everyday use. When snow comes, just jack up the back, cordless impact wrench on low setting and off you go. I do not recommend filled tires, even on a 2320, without having help and you might simply be able to ballast your tractor another way (weights, or ballast box, box blade, etc.) and leave the tires unfilled. Just and additional thought.

John M

 

[kennyd]

Not to pull this thread too far off topic--but I have a question regarding R4 vs R3 tires with chains. I'm getting ready to purchase/order a 2320 and I have the option of R3 or R4 tires. A majority of my work with the 2320 will be mowing, second will be snow removal. I was thinking the R3's would be easier on the lawn and when equipped with chains, perhaps better for plowing snow than R4's. R4's on the 2320 are a $114 option so I'm thinking the R3's and chains would be about the same cost as the R4's.

Thanks for any advice and hopefully not too far off topic.

John

Go with the R3 turfs...

 

[kennyd]

I think an important distinction for anyone w/ this question is will you really be plowing (front blade or loader bucket), or snowblowing?

With the blower on my 2305 w/ turfs, I don't even bother w/ 4wd while snowblowing up or down the gentle hill of my driveway. No ballast box, no weights, nothing.

Plowing is entirely different, of course. With the blower, the only thing you're really pushing is the blower itself.

You really should have the ballast box on with the blower...That is a lot of weight on the front axle.

 

[JJKJ]

Thanks for the advice. I'll plan on the R3's. With my rock drive, I'd just put the chains on at the beginning of winter and leave them on until spring. What really got me thinking is the ice cover I've got on the drive right now. The hard pack starts to melt during the warmth of the day but not enough to dissapate. It refreezes at night and I've now got a pretty slick drive. Not terrible but I think any tire without chains would be a challenge to plow snow. I agree John that R3's would work better with chains than R4's. The added benefit is that the R3's hopefully will be a bit easier on the lawn. The only downside I see is that when I'm doing any land maintenance during summer months with the FEL, I'll give up some traction to R4's. I see that as my lowest amount of usage for the tractor so I don't see it as a big downside.

Thanks again for the advice. Now back to the topic at hand. Sorry to the OP for the minor diversion.

 

[RedHawkRidge]

I have a x595 with front blade. Tires are HDAP, but tread pattern is more aggressive than that pictured in earlier post. I like them for mowing and general work, although they clog up with heavy or moist soil. The 595 has rear wheel weights and 2-link ladder chains. The chains are needed for uphill plowing and thicker snow. Front tires would benefit from chains too, to help with steering (tractor tends to go straight thru turns, or drift sideways when plow is angled tight). I recommend the R3's for best mowing and add chains for winter. jim