I had a snowy misadventure today

[holeycow]

that's not 14" of snow and you're driving too fast (again).

But a fun video to watch!

 

[hayden]

Nothing beats R1s in deep snow. Well except R1s with chains or maybe R2 cane tires. On packed snow or ice, though, R3s (turfs) are great. There's lots of space to get packed with snow. Snow against snow or ice gives pretty good traction.

I see. So you actually WANT snow packed into the tread. Hadn't though of that. I just remember that my R4 tires sucked in pretty much everything except dry hard ground. I really LOVE the R1s, but they do require that you stay off groomed lawns when it's wet and soft, and only operate in 2wd to keep the wife happy. So like with most everything, it depends on how you use the machine.

 

[motownbrowne]

I see. So you actually WANT snow packed into the tread. Hadn't though of that. I just remember that my R4 tires sucked in pretty much everything except dry hard ground. I really LOVE the R1s, but they do require that you stay off groomed lawns when it's wet and soft, and only operate in 2wd to keep the wife happy. So like with most everything, it depends on how you use the machine.

Exactly, but that only applies when you have a hard surface beneath you. I've got a tractor with 4 loaded R4s and a tractor with 2 loaded R1s. On ice, the tread pattern doesn't make much difference (turfs would probably be a big improvement). In deep snow, the Kubota just digs down and keeps going even when skidding big logs. The New Holland just spins.

I did put chains on the front wheels of the New Holland which made it much better both in snow and on ice. Chains on all 4 would probably do pretty well in snow. And before anyone tells me, I know that chains on the front only is considered by some to be risky.

That tractor doesn't have a loader, so I had to put some weight up front to get the grip I need with the chains. Now, it's a super fun plowing rig. I get a hard packed snow/ice layer over the gravel, then when I'm plowing fresh snow I get to the top or bottom, crank the wheel stomp the hydro pedal and the all the tires spin. The fronts grab because of the chains, so the tractor just whips around. So I'm basically plowing snow, doing donuts and power slides all at once. Oh yeah, in case you couldn't tell, I'm excited for winter to start.

 

[dickfoster]

I don't have any experience grooving R4 tires, but I think grooving and siping would definitely help traction, otherwise consider turf tires and ballast.

Check out siping tires.

"Siping is the process of cutting thin slits across the surface of a tire to improve traction for driving in snowy, wet or icy conditions. Siping can also help manage tire heat when the road is overly hot."

https://www.lesschwab.com/tires/performance-siping

Sipes are good for wet and a little bit for ice but for snow you want the grooves. Snow get's packed up into the grooves and that snow sticks to snow which improves traction. Actually the ultimate weapon is studded snow tires but I've never seen them for tractors. Grooves for the snow and the studs are for traction on ice. I ran those things when I lived in WY and CO and there was no almost no place I couldn't go even in 2WD. They sure do play havoc with the pavement though, the freeways looks like they have wagon ruts cut in them which is why they are illegal in many states. It sure beats salt eating up everyone's cars though.

 

[dickfoster]

Exactly, but that only applies when you have a hard surface beneath you. I've got a tractor with 4 loaded R4s and a tractor with 2 loaded R1s. On ice, the tread pattern doesn't make much difference (turfs would probably be a big improvement). In deep snow, the Kubota just digs down and keeps going even when skidding big logs. The New Holland just spins.

I did put chains on the front wheels of the New Holland which made it much better both in snow and on ice. Chains on all 4 would probably do pretty well in snow. And before anyone tells me, I know that chains on the front only is considered by some to be risky.

That tractor doesn't have a loader, so I had to put some weight up front to get the grip I need with the chains. Now, it's a super fun plowing rig. I get a hard packed snow/ice layer over the gravel, then when I'm plowing fresh snow I get to the top or bottom, crank the wheel stomp the hydro pedal and the all the tires spin. The fronts grab because of the chains, so the tractor just whips around. So I'm basically plowing snow, doing donuts and power slides all at once. Oh yeah, in case you couldn't tell, I'm excited for winter to start.

Since it's so much fun for you, you are welcome to swing by my place and plow my snow. Heck, I'll even have hot coffee and doughnuts waiting for you.

 

[Garandman]

I see. So you actually WANT snow packed into the tread. Hadn't though of that. I just remember that my R4 tires sucked in pretty much everything except dry hard ground. //

Makes quite a difference.

 

[motownbrowne]

Since it's so much fun for you, you are welcome to swing by my place and plow my snow. Heck, I'll even have hot coffee and doughnuts waiting for you.

I've only spent a couple months in Nevada City, but I know one thing for sure about that place. It's HILLY!! Something tells me that my antics on the tractor might not end so well over there...