Snow Snow chans, front tires, TC33d with R4s...

[KrisHansen]

Greetings all,

it's been a long time since my last conf...er, post.. hope all the good guys are still good and the bad guys are getting better.

I'm finally fed up with the complete and utter lack of steering control in snow with my R4s, and I want to mount chains on the front tires. I've read threads about flipping the front tires, for clearance, I've read and read.. but found not one shred of evidence that chains on the front tires are a bad idea. I've read lots of stories of people running front chains with no problems..

I've got my big mean OFA Hakkis on the rears, and my SB74, and the 7309 on the front.. But the thing flat refuses to steer when going forward.

Looking for first hand experience with problems/negative results/or stories.. Thanks!

 

[6sunset6]

I have the same problem with my snow plow on the front , when in float. I pick it up a little and get some weight back on the tires and it seems to be better. I have some suitcase weights around someplace I am going to hang on the front.

 

[dqdave1]

Hang weights on front? Chains should work for traction but not sure about steering. How about brake steering; I have heard of some people moving the cruise control switch to the clutch; thus allowing cruise to be set and you can brake steer without kicking cruise off.

 

[thclimer]

Have you ever tried filling your FEL with a considerable amount of weight, like some big rocks? Other than being on pure ice I'd bet you'd see a huge improvement with a good amount of weight in your FEL. If you've got something laying around which you could put in there it would be a cheap easy test. While most of my area is level my R4's seem do fine when I'm using my rear blower. I also use 4-Wheel drive when the snow gets really deep.

 

[Reg]

I found that TOO MUCH steering produced LESS directional control.
A little bit of wheel and I have "control", but too much and the front just plows sideways - it will happen in the dirt eventually, though at much sharper steer angles.

The right amount, no more (-:

 

[KrisHansen]

How about brake steering; I have heard of some people moving the cruise control switch to the clutch; thus allowing cruise to be set and you can brake steer without kicking cruise off.

I like that idea, I'll look into that.. The problem is, the tires slide sideways, even in 4wd, they don't get any traction, and you just go straight. I do try to brake steer too, but of course, it's a pain with our setup..

 

[KrisHansen]

I found that TOO MUCH steering produced LESS directional control.
A little bit of wheel and I have "control", but too much and the front just plows sideways - it will happen in the dirt eventually, though at much sharper steer angles.

The right amount, no more (-:

That's true. But sometimes, even a little results in 0 turning..

 

[KrisHansen]

Have you ever tried filling your FEL with a considerable amount of weight, like some big rocks? Other than being on pure ice I'd bet you'd see a huge improvement with a good amount of weight in your FEL. If you've got something laying around which you could put in there it would be a cheap easy test. While most of my area is level my R4's seem do fine when I'm using my rear blower. I also use 4-Wheel drive when the snow gets really deep.

well, then it would be hard to use the loader.

I ALWAYS use 4wd. That's why I got a 4wd tractor. I don't have any problems going backwards with the blower, this is only going forward, and especially when using the loader to move piles of snow.

I'm really more interested in whether people think I'll break the front axle or not by running chains on the front tires... I've got a 1000# hunk of 'crete I can use for weight in the loader, but then I don't have a loader any more.

 

[Diesel-ME]

I run chains on the front sometimes - usually when I need traction to prevent side-slippage when operating on a side hill. You can mount chains on front so fast and easy (assuming you have a loader), that it's easy to mount/dismount as needed.

The rears are another story... need two guys and much more time to mount. So they stay on until they are not needed.

I see no negatives to using chains on the front for my given usage. I use chains for traction, plowing snow (loader-mounted blade) and yarding wood in snow/ice and sometimes mud.

~Paul

 

[thclimer]

Yep, I hear you about not being able to use the FEL if it's filled with weight. Before I got my rear blower I used my FEL to plow and move snow and found that it pushed snow fairly well but mine would always plug up with snow if I tried to scoop and dump with it. Once I got my blower anytime I need to move snow I blow it. I guess if there are situations where you cannot use your blower then you would need your FEL.

Sorry I'm not able to give you definitive advice about your axel apprehension however, I believe there is need to be concerned if you have chains on with 4-wheel drive engaged and you are turning and one of the front wheels can't slip.