Snow Is it dangerous to operate 4110 with industerial tires in 12 in snow on hill?

coffeeman · Feb 6, 2010

I do think it would be safe to push snow on hills if I have rear chains. I have 4 wheel drive in tractor. I have doubts about pushing snow on hill with industrial tires and no chains. My 4 wheel drive snow truck is broke down. The guy I call to plow is stuck in snow today. We are in the Pa Md area and snow is high here. Worse yet, the electric may be out till Monday afternoon. The temperature is going down to 10 degree tonite. I have always been prepared for such things. The last couple years I have let my guard down as it hasn't snowed much last few years.

Does anyone have experience operating 4 wheel tractor, industrial tires, steep hill and deep snow?? By the way I want use a box blade to push the snow. It seems like this might be a real bad idea. Just wanted some in put if amyone has ideas.

Cheers....Coffeeman

MikeInEburg · Feb 6, 2010

Everything is relative... I wouldn't hesitate if you're going straight up and down the hill. Across the face is different even when you're not in snow. I'd go slow and let your gut tell you.

Box blade isn't the best implement for snow removal, but if it's what you have, use it.

Good luck
Mike

crackercap · Feb 6, 2010

The industrial tire will slide very easily, especially on a side hill, be extra careful...

jpm · Feb 6, 2010

using the bucket is better than in reverse with a box blade. sliding forward is a little better than spinning down in reverse. this is from experance

beenthere · Feb 6, 2010

With the wet snow (as I understand you are getting there), the slush left quickly gets icy and very slippery. Even going straight up or down can end in a slide that is not under control. Easy to get hung up on a small depression of ice. Only slightly worse with R-4's than R-1's, IME.

A set of car chains on the front tires of the 4wd will help if none are available for the rears.

FEL and bucket will work better than box blade, but use bb for rear weight.

Any pics?

carpenter383 · Feb 7, 2010

I'd say in deep snow or icy situations it dosen't matter what type of tires you have, they won't get traction. Chains are your best bet and will out perform any type of tread design.
I'm with the others about going forward instead of backward, it will be easier to stop yourself by digging the fel bucket into the ground going forward.
Something to think about... if you use the fel to panic stop, you need to concentrate on NOT pushing the fel lever all the way to float (especially if you're going backwards) and keep the revs up for faster hydraulic speed.

Egon · Feb 7, 2010

In the type of snow conditions you have and at the temperature your at none of the tires will have much traction. You will easily compact the snow with the tires and be sitting on some very slippery almost ice type snow. Chains do work though.

Just use your bucket and make sure you clear right down to the ground. Don't even attempt the box blade as you will have to operate in reverse and the chances of going side ways with the back are good. You may also end up with a pile you can not back over. The rear will also slip sideways if you use the differential lock.

As for steepness comments on that are difficult without seeing the actually conditions such as side slopes etc. Worst problem may be getting part way down and not able to get back up.

In our area we get a lot of the type of snow you are dealing with but usually not as much as you have. My little driveway has parts that are at 20 degrees.

jimmyj · Feb 7, 2010

You should be fine. Egon nailed it perfectly.

coffeeman · Feb 7, 2010

carpenter383 said:
I'd say in deep snow or icy situations it dosen't matter what type of tires you have, they won't get traction. Chains are your best bet and will out perform any type of tread design.
I'm with the others about going forward instead of backward, it will be easier to stop yourself by digging the fel bucket into the ground going forward.
Something to think about... if you use the fel to panic stop, you need to concentrate on NOT pushing the fel lever all the way to float (especially if you're going backwards) and keep the revs up for faster hydraulic speed.

No need to discuss now. I thought I'd give it a shot and just drive around fo a while; get the feel of it. I didn't even get out of garage. A slight hill out of garage and some drifting. The wheels pulled out nicely, that is the the wheels pulled out the snow nicely. Then the ice stopped me dead. Difflock got me 4 wheels spinning on the ice. Chains ore the only way to get traction, even on level. I am really surprised that the front wheel assist or 4 wheel drive did so little to help in snow.

Today I called my snow guys again, no help. Caught a guy on road an asked for a plow. Told him we got a long lane; 1/2 mile. "No problem", he said. Gave me a price of $150. Started up lane and then came to hill. Looked up hill, backed out and told me he wasn't interested at any price.

Now plan 2. I got an old Chevy plow Blazer. It needs a set wires and a battery. In a couple hrs. time I'll be in business. The icing on cake, the truck is on top of hill and I can plow down. Oh, i'll need 2 fix a flats too. Also, the brakes dont work. As long as the plow drops nice I got brakes.

Oh, one more thing, our power is expected to be out till Friday. The temp 1 degree last nite and same to be tonight. Thats a different story.

Cheers....Coffeeman

MikePA · Feb 7, 2010

Hi coffeeman, I know wou already found your answer but I thought I'd share my experience with R4s. I've used my TC25D and FEL to plow our driveway, our barn driveway and the driveway of two neighbors for 9 winters. Our driveways are relatively flat. The drieway of one neighbor is a slight upward grade while the other one has an upward grade and a relatively level parking area at the top. This parking area is sloped just enough for the water to drain off. The FEL leaves just enough snow to make it very slippery which means I am always very careful to make no quick moves. R4s = almost no traction.

I always could drive up the driveway and plow with the FEL. With the 24" of light fluffy snow we got on Saturday, I not only couldn't 'plow', the tractor lost traction half way up. I had to wait for the township to plow the road, so I could get a running start, in III, which worked after a few tries, which got me to the upper flat area. I had always been able to plow with the FEL, up to about a foot without losing traction. While 24" is a bit unusual for our area, next year, I will install the chains I have for the rear wheels.