How important are tire chains on a 4WD for snowblowing?

[canoetrpr]

Did not quite expect tire chains to cost about $300!.

My tires are not loaded on my L3400. I have industrial tires and plan on blowing the snow on my gravel drive this winter with a rear attached blower.

How important do you guys think tire chains are with 4WD? Would I be better off spending the money to get my tires loaded - will that help with traction in the snow?

 

[racolton]

If your driveway is completely flat and you can be absolutely certain you aren't going to go off the drive, chains aren't needed. However, even the slightest hill will stop you cold - rubber doesn't have much traction on packed snow / ice. Chains are amazing for traction!

My vote is get chains, then worry about loading the tires.

Have fun!

(I get 6'+ drifts almost every day during the winter, several times a day if it's snowing!)

 

[CTyler]

I have an L3130 with industrials and plow snow on a 500'+ drive with about a 5-6 degree slope. No chains and I can plow up the drive 4-6 inches of snow more than on the flats and down the drive. The only time I've had a problem is when it ices over which has only happened a few times in 3 years. When it does I put sand in the bucket and lightly spread it in front of me as I go.

I used the spreader one time but found it easier to just use the bucket and gentle touch. That way theres no switch between the rear blade and the speader.

If you get a lot of ice then chains may be easier but not for me.

To add...the times we have gotten 14-16" of snow I just took a couple passes at it.

 

[MadReferee]

As others have said, if your driveway ices up at all then you need chains. My totally flat gravel driveway will ice up as it gets sun then shade. When it does I am glad I have chains. It's no fun to go sliding sideways into a snow bank. Been there, done that.

 

[Willl]

It's no fun to go sliding sideways into a snow bank.

On a tractor, no less.

 

[jbrumberg]

canoetrpr:

If you get a lot of icing I would buy the chains. I have always had R-1's on my tractors so we are comparing apples to oranges. Although each winter is different based on the ~20 years I ran my Ford 1100 with a dual hydraulic plow it appears weighted tires with chains>unweighted tires with chains>weighted tires without chains>unweighted tires without chains traction-wise. Last year I upgraded tractors to a NH TC29DA with weighted R-1's. Last year did not have a lot of big snows (maybe one or two good storms), but we did have a lot of snow/sleet/icing. I plow after ~4" and generally only once per storm. I had no trouble moving snow last year with my set up. I know a guy up in the Adirondacks with a Ford 1700 with unweighted R-1's without chains who runs a 64" rear mounted snowblower without difficulty. Jay

 

[HTWT]

I purchased chains when I got my NH 1620 in 1996. I didn't use them for a number of years while I used my backblade. When I started using a snowblower I found it necessary to put the chains on for traction to push the snowblower into the snow.

 

[Luremaker]

canoetrpr, if your driveway is flat I would not worry about chains. Save the $300. If you think that you need them after this winter, look for used chains at farm auctions in the spring. Lots of used tire chains around. You'll likely find a pair for around $50-$75.

 

[bill177]

I have always used a 7' plow on my 6000 lbs 4-wheel drive Tahoe. The driveway is steep and paved. No problems. I do not have "snow" tires - just plain all-season treads. Never used chains. Before the Tahoe, I used an S-10 2dr 4-wheel drive Blazer. It also had no problems.

But, I really do wonder what my GC2300 with filled ag tires would do in 4-wheel drive. If I thought it would do the job, I'd put the plow on it.

 

[shvl73]

I've yet to need chains on my 600' driveway. It's fairly flat but, I also make a path to walk the dogs all around our field. No problem yet, with loaded R4's. I think you'll be suprised at the traction you'll get.

 

[lawn_king]

Both of my machines (b7500 & b3030) had the kubota front snowblower set up. Both machines had turf tires, no need for chains IMHO.

 

[ronjhall]

I have a set of chains for my B2910 with turf tires. I have a 6'6" snow blade for pushing snow. Have never used the chains in 6 winters.

 

[scesnick]

I live on top of a mountian on the Md/Wv line and we do get alot of snow. I have tire chains on my Case backhoe but it is only 2wd. I also have a Ber-Vac 64" blower on my Yanmar 2000bd. It is 4wd and I have never had a problem snowblowing my 2.5 mile driveway/road to the blacktop road down the mountian that the county plows. I would say you would be fine without the chains.
BTW, if you have never used a rear mount blower on a gravel drive, be careful where you point the chute. gravel tends to shoot out of it like a machine gun if you get too close to the surface. Not too good on your car windows !!!! Been there and done that , don't ask.

 

[canoetrpr]

BTW, if you have never used a rear mount blower on a gravel drive, be careful where you point the chute. gravel tends to shoot out of it like a machine gun if you get too close to the surface. Not too good on your car windows !!!! Been there and done that , don't ask.

Thanks for the warning. I'm going to get skid shoes and I'll be sure to leave a reasonable clearance. I expect that I will pack down a layer of snow for the first few snowfalls instead of blowing it to the gravel.

Sounds like I'm going to be better of spending the $$ on loading tires. Should help with day to day stability mowing et. al. in addition to providing a bit more weight for traction on the snow.

 

[MadReferee]

Sounds like I'm going to be better of spending the $$ on loading tires. Should help with day to day stability mowing et. al. in addition to providing a bit more weight for traction on the snow.

Loading tires is a good way to spend your money. It gives several advantages when there is no snow on the ground, specifically more balast and stability.

However, loaded tires are no help if you let your driveway turn to ice. If that happens then chains are a must.

 

[jimgerken]

As others have said, turf tires are better on the snow and ice that R4s. My JD4100 with turfs works great on the ice with no chains (in four wheel drive). My driveway turns to ice after I leave the "pack" for a few blowings, and there is quite a bit of slope. I did buy rear tire chains and used them when I moved snow with the loader, but now that I blow the snow instead, the push force required is much less so I have not put them on for two years.
BTW, for a better price on chains, find a place that sells Peerless chain for trucks, and order the coorect size for you tractor tires (back wheels only is enough). The chains are a smaller gauge than tractor chain, cause they are expecting them to be used on a highway vehicle, but its all you need.
Chains on turfs is ultimate, since the tire is flat the chain is forced to be exposed nicely everywhere. Chains on an ag tire ( and maybe an R4) are only half exposed to the work.

 

[canoetrpr]

I evenutally decided to bite the bullet and order the chains with my blower.

My implement dealer is sourcing both from the same supplier and was able to give me a really good deal on the chains as a result. Figured I might as well do it while he was going out of his way to get a me a good deal.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[schole]

I got chains last year before I had loaded tires. Living just around the corner from you and using the same machine as you have, I can not say enough how pleased I was with the increased traction. I got quite a heavy set used for 100$ (from a Massey 35) and had to cut a few sections off. If you do any bush work at all, I think you won't be happy with unloaded and unchained tires. On the R4's the chains ride up on the treads -- don't get lost in the treads like the ladder chains tend to on R1's. Chains are supposed to be hard on old pavement...haven't noticed much trouble yet. Shawn

 

[RalphVa]

A good bit of Ontario is fairly flat. If your driveway isn't on a hill, you should be okay without chains unless you get ice. For ice or sleet, you'll need chains.

I've had no problem without chains with turf tires on my 4wd 4010, but my driveway is relatively flat, and we haven't had that much snow in the last 2 winters.

Before, I had a Gravely that I used either with dual (4) tires (turfs about 3 winters and then got a set of ags and put screws in the treads) with a 48" snow plow or single turfs with chains for the snow blower. Didn't have much opportunity to test out the Gravely with dual Ags with screws into the outer part of the lugs because I got the 4010 about that time. The Gravely would push the snow plow without chains fairly well using dual turfs. Definitely needed the chains for pushing the snow blower because it was a heavy mother! Only used the snow blower one time when we had about 7" of sleet. The plow wouldn't touch it.

You might want to try putting some metal screws into the outer part of your R4 lugs. Just measure the depth of the lugs and buy screws the right length. If you do a searth on the forums, you'll find experience folks have had with using lugs in motorcycle racing on ice.

Ralph

 

[JoeL4330]

"I used the spreader one time but found it easier to just use the bucket and gentle touch. That way theres no switch between the rear blade and the speader."

I have a spreader that is designed to mount on the rear of a car/truck w. a 2" receiver ...I have a clamp on receiver for my bucket and so can blow w. the rear mounted blower and sand w. the bucket mounted spreader ...works well, no changeover.