studs for ice?

[chuck172]

Anyone using removable ice studs on their R1's for snowplowing?
Advantages, dis-advantages vs. chains.

 

[Looking4new]

I prefer chains, they are good in dirt and some mud, too. I put them on once and never look back until one comes off. But they are heavy.

 

[oosik]

I've always used chains if added traction is required. Chains will provide traction on frozen dirt/gravel driveway. Studs - not so much. Studs would be best on a very hard/smooth surface - concrete or asphalt. Studs will provide less surface damage.

 

[PBinWA]

I put screw in studs in my R4's - they seem to help with the thin ice and don't tear up the asphalt like chains. I've left them in for 10+ years with no ill effects.

 

[RalphVa]

I put screws into the lugs of the R1s I had on the Gravely but never got to test them out, as I sold the Gravely.

It had chains for the turf tires it had.

Ralph

 

[ruffdog]

At the cycle shop, we put screw in studs in the fork truck tires so we could safely unload trucks while on ice. They made a huge difference and rode just as smooth as before. If you spin, they will leave scratch marks. If you are climbing through a woods and you need traction, chains are better. If you just need help on that polished packed snow or ice, the studs will really help.

 

[shooterdon]

I was planning on studs for the new LS last year but did not need them. No way I want to wrestle with chains as I am 70 and I have oversize turf tires. If I encounter traction issues, I will use studs and leave them in year round.

But I have no slopes to deal with.

 

[mikester]

If you pull out the studs each season you will find the holes are quickly plugged with tiny rocks and dirt and you will end up drilling new holes next season. Eventually you get swiss cheese for tires. I'd leave the studs in.

 

[chuck172]

Do you stud the front tires as well? Seems like with R1's, studs would help with snowplowing.

 

[chuck172]

Seems like aggresive R1 ag tires with studs would be the cat's meow of tractor snowplowing. The R1's have really aggresive threads that will bite through deep, loose snow, and the studs will then bite through the ice. I like the idea of leaving the studs on all year. I have lots of shale which slice the R1's. Studs might help with that too.

 

[shooterdon]

chuck,
When I bought my tractor I asked the dealer which tire was best for snow/ice. He recommended turf tires. My area gets 120-140" of snow a year.

I only plow light snow falls of less than 4 inches and use the plow to back drag around the garage, house and tight areas. The inverted blower gets most of the snow duties. One method I use is to angle the blade and windrow the snow to the center of the drive and then run the blower down the center. Keeps the hours off the blower and it is easier to monitor the front than the rear.

I am not pushing large amounts of snow with my front blade set up.

 

[Thunder chicken]

I’ve also been thinking about adding studs for snow plowing. I road a lot all year so chains are out. R1’s don’t do so well on the packed snow roads here. I was curious about leaving them in all year, like was mentioned having to screw in a different spot every year may end up causing the tire to wear much faster?
Grip Studs were the ones I was looking at. I though their price was fair.
Now to really decide if more salty road driving to plow a few driveways is worth it...

 

[Industrial Toys]

I would love the idea. Except for my concrete aprons and building floors. And removing them would simply not be an option. Enough stuff to do every year, seems like no time at all between seasons as you get older.

 

[ruffdog]

These are the type of screws we used many years ago in that fork truck. I was surprised that they didn't get ripped out the first time I spun a wheel. The ones we used were about 1/2" if I remember right. Now they have much fancier ones with carbide tips and special threads.

Kold Kutter 3/8 in. AMA Legal Tire Traction Ice Screws - KK38-8-25 Dirt Bike | Dennis Kirk

 

[Rustyiron]

Studs are great, or at least waaay better than no studs. You can't beat chains for raw ice chewing but they will also quickly chew up and mark pavement. Studs will only scratch it IF you spin your tires and will not damage it or concrete if you're just rolling across it. I took my front studs out the first year and like others said, it leaves a hole in your tread. I have them at all 4 corners with 4 in each set of "bars" around the tire. About a buck each.

 

[art]

A lot of people ask me about tires for plowing snow and possible chains. I have put on chains for spreading manure in non-cleared land but for the most part if your snow removal system is working you only need surface contact and seeing most people driving over where they plowed it doesn't take some fancy lugs.

 

[chuck172]

I don't know, I might get chains for the rear tires and stud the front. I don't think that should promote front axle damage like some people say front chains will. I've been plowing for the past 5 years with nothing but bare R1 ag tires.

 

[Avenger]

I put good quality, spiked, tight chains on all 4 with R4 tires. The first year I didnt have them, the tractor worked well in the snow. As soon as the snow was compacted and turned to ice, on my steep driveway, I found myself sliding down it sideways. Not exactly my idea of fun when there are large trees that line my road. I dropped the money and bought the chains. Love them. Stick like glue, no issues with the front axle. Its a rougher ride, but better than sliding.

 

[chuck172]

I put good quality, spiked, tight chains on all 4 with R4 tires. The first year I didnt have them, the tractor worked well in the snow. As soon as the snow was compacted and turned to ice, on my steep driveway, I found myself sliding down it sideways. Not exactly my idea of fun when there are large trees that line my road. I dropped the money and bought the chains. Love them. Stick like glue, no issues with the front axle. Its a rougher ride, but better than sliding.

What kind of chains did you get?

 

[Avenger]

Here is exactly what I ordered. Tirechains.com Duo-Ladder V-bar combination for the rear and V-duo V-Bar for the front.