Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Snow Removal tires

[GeneD14]

For several years in MI I plowed fairly deep snow with a 2WD Allis Chalmers D14. I used a 7 foot rear blade, R1's with wheel weights and tire chains. It was very effective, but the chains were the main advantage. When I would remove them I went no where.

Then I started using my 4WD L4330 Kubota with R1's, 7' rear blade, no chains, loaded tires, wheel weights and it was even better. Never stuck.

 

[wolc123]

I had nearly identical experience as Gene. My 2wd, D-14 AC was so-so on snow with a 7 ft rear blade, loaded R1's and chains. Now I have a new JD 4120 (this is where we differ, Gene still orange of a different shade and me green) 43 hp, 4wd with loaded R1's, no chains and it does much better on snow with a 7 ft blade than that old AC. The chains were murder on the blacktop driveway up by the house and it sure was nice to loose them and get lots more traction thanks to 4wd. I think most folks could get by without chains with a snowplow as long as they have all (3) of the following: 4wd, loaded rear tires, R1 tread.

 

[LBrown59]

all (3) of the following:
1*4wd,
2*R1 tread.
3*loaded rear tires

++++++++++++
I have these 3.
1*4wd
2*R1 tires.
3*loader on front / BH on rear of BX23.
4*Five foot blade on front / 48 inch tiller on back of BX1500. This takes the place of loaded tires.

 

[pat32rf]

If you are talking about clearing the snow down to bare pavement or gravel it might not matter but up here we have about 4" of packed snow on our "cleared" driveway (and 2-3' everywhere else). When I need to get thru it I need chains to clear a trail, even with 4wd.
I've used R1s and R4s, didn't matter, steel makes the difference on ice or packed snow.

 

[biffnh]

I have been using turf tires on my B7800 with tremendous success. In snow I use a FEL and alternate between a 5' rear blade for getting down to the dirt road after a regular clean-up and a 5 foot rear snow blower for removal. Only gotten stuck twice in 7 winters of clearing over a mile of dirt road with a significant elevation change.

 

[Diamondpilot]

For my area and type of snow R1's are the only choice. My neighbors have R4's and have to call me over at times.

Like stated before it depends on the type of snow, surface you are plowing, type of tractor, weight of tractor, tires, ect, ect, ect. No real answer to the question. Another good question is where do you live? High elevations and cold areas like the Dakotas have snow that is very dry as compared to the snow on the mid-west like Kansas or even the eastern coast like New York or Jersey where the snow is usually very wet and heavy.

For example the last week we got 14" of snow and the guys with R4's did ok until today and it got upto about 45 deg. Last night though it was in the 20's with 35mph winds so major drifts to clean up. The guy down the road with a 35HP JD was having problems due to the wetness of the snow while my 28HP Jinma did not have nearly as much trouble. I have a FEL with a 5' bucket and a 7' Woods HD Rear Blade. My tractor also weighs about 5,200# with me on it so its a heavy little machine.

Here is a pic of my drive today, it was completely covered with 24" of drifted snow this morning. 4 passes and 5 minutes with the loader and I had all 280' of it opened 20' wide.

Chris

 

[wolc123]

There is a big difference in the traction requirements of a blower and a blade. The blower requires very little traction and Turfs or R4's will often suffice. These tires are often woefully inadequate on a blade however.

 

[53gravely]

I have the standard loaded Turfs and they work great. I only add chains all around because VT gets some nasty freezing rain on occasion and I leave them on throught mud season because turfs are useless in mud.

I push a 6 1/2 foot plow on the 3 point...no problem in 16" of snow.

I bet the "bar turf" tires in the attachment are really good in snow.

 

[daw53]

I have a BX23 with a set of unfilled turf tires and a set of filled bar/ag tires. We had several inches of snow the week and having been lazy, I still had the turf tires on. I was pushing with the FEL and noticed a slight burning rubber smell. Yep, I was spinning the rears. So I took smaller bites.

I changed over the the filled bars a few days later and was able to push much easier and more snow, farther.

- David

 

[daveinnh]

Our Kubota L4310 has loaded ag tires which work good in snow. I bought chains last year for going thru ice - can't be beat. Be sure to ge the outide chain tensioners.

One more note - our local State Forest bought a Kubota w/ R-4s (for clearing parking lot and entrance) that were so tight to the fenders that didn't leave any space for chains. They bought a front blower though.