Let it snow....

[Spudgunner]

I use chains on all tires all the time during snow season. I tried without chains but it was a definite no-go. If/when you use chains, make sure you secure any chain ends well so that they don't take off the zerks on top of the A-arm balljoints. I didn't have mine secured well and after snow season I had to make an appointment with an easy-out to remedy the problem. Unfun.

I use all-season LT235/75-15's (cheaper chains/better ground clearance) on my TC in the winter and switch back to stock 27" tires for the other 8-9 months of the year.

 

[timm9]

Good advice Spudgunner...

I use zip ties once the chains are properly installed and tightened so the "latch" can't come loose!

 

[Mtngrancher]

I've decided to be prepared for both scenarios. I've purchased a new set of Bobcat wheels and have bought Michelin Latitude X-Ice winter tires for them. I'll let you know how they work on the concrete as well as frozen gravel roads once the snow flies. As a back up, I've purchased a set of Pewag ladder chains to put on the 235/75-15 michs if I have problems. I also have added a hitch receiver based winch to pull me out of the ditch if I'm so fortunate to end up in one while singing to Rascal Flats while clearing snow...

The reviews seem to say that these snow tires are as good as studded. I'll report to the forum once I have experience.

 

[timm9]

You will also find that the locking differential and boom can be quite helpful in extricating yourself

 

[Mtngrancher]

You will also find that the locking differential and boom can be quite helpful in extricating yourself

Just to confirm, the locking diff only turns on when 4WS is turned off. No switches, it is on automatically?

Thanks

 

[timm9]

I'm not sure about the other "series" i.e. C & D, but on the B series you have to push and hold the Diff Lock button and I believe that AWS needs to be off. When you release the Diff Lock button, the Diff unlocks automatically. When asked about this feature, the dealer told me that they had issues with folks leaving the diff lock on.

 

[ndnewbie]

Blower question: Of all my attachments, I have most difficulty with reading the tilt of my snowblower. Since I blow on gravel, I want the back pads on the gravel, and the front blade an inch or two off the surface. Has anyone found any good cheats/instrumentation for reading this?

I can't just set it once, since I have a couple of steep rises in the yard. Last winter I just tipped it forward till I heard it blowing gravel, and then backed off it bit. That lead to lots of gravel in the yard, and raking this spring.

I don't know if it would be possible to put pads in front, but that would mean I would not be able to get down to concrete where we do have concrete.

In writing this I thought of mounting a clear tube to the side of the blower with a tennis ball inside, like a big level, but it would get covered in snow in a second. Maybe a piece of rebar sticking up from the passenger side would give a better visual marker of which way it was tipped. Anyone ever address this problem?

 

[timm9]

I had the same problem running the first TC in 2004 with both a blower and bucket. I was spoiled by the "bucket indicators" on my CAT & Case Loaders. I ended up "testing" myself by raising the blower and setting it down, then getting out and looking at the angle of the edge, then looking at the position of the blower shute from the cab. After a few tests I had a pretty good feel for the orientation of the shute to the edge.

I guess you could build and indicator at the end of the boom "hinge point" before the quick attach plate. I have not seen or heard of any other method so far... If you come up with a better method, indicator, etc. please share.

 

[3Bladz]

maybe hang some sort of pendulum above the blower with some marks painted on the blower to be kind of like a bucket level indicator.

 

[ndnewbie]

I wonder how it would work to bolt a 5' piece of rebar vertically to the the passenger side of the blower at an exact 90 degree angle to the bottom of the blower. If a person could dangle from the top of that a second, 2' length of rebar on an axel to act as the pendulum, then when the two were lined up, the blower would be level. With rear pads, the front would be about 2" off the ground as well.

I can't think of why the rebar would be in the way much, except perhaps getting bent if the blower is driven into a drift. I might give it a try.