To chain or not to chain?

[CJONE]

I can't believe you guys are talking snow already!

I really REALLY hope we actually get a winter this year. I live in the snow belt and we only got maybe 3 feet last season, sad, really sad winter. Hurt alot of businesses. CJ

 

[grsthegreat]

Last season was my FIRST season pushing a front mounted blower and front mounted plow with a tractor. I purchased chains just to be safe but i did the first 2 plowings and blowings without chains to check out performance.

WITHOUT CHAINS:
1. The plow pushed the front end of the tractor all over the place if i put over 10 degree angle to the blade.

2. The tires spun out trying to blow thru thick piles of snow.

____________________________________________________

WITH 4 SETS OF CHAINS:

1. The tractor could handle all available (40 degrees of) tilt on the plow without and front end movement

2. I lost NO traction with the blower.....I did have to go a little slower so as not to overload the blower. But it did a great job.

 

[Reg]

Just had a Kubota BX 2660 delivered Easter weekend. Got the BX 2750D snow blower for the front end. I'm trying to decide if I'm gonna need chains for the R4 tires or not. This is where you experienced guys come in. I'm in the "Snow Belt" part of northeast Ohio that frequently gets "lake effect" snow.

It's not uncommon for us to get 100+ inches a season, and it varies from a dry, fluffy snow to the wet heavy stuff. FWIW, the tractor does have 4WD.

Thanks!

ONE unexpected side slide will convince you.
I suggest you get the DUO pattern, ladder pattern will mostly disappear between the lugs.
I got Peerless chains (US made) for about the same price as the usual importer charges for Chinese chains.
Search for threads with "Peerless" in them and my name as author, that will get you the supplier, they have them shipped directly from Peerless.
www.tractiontirechains.com

Shipping is included (well, they say "free", but guess who pays, SOMEHOW).

DO CHECK that your machine has enough clearance for chains.
I don't know Kubotas, but there is at least one model that has so called industrial tires, non width adjustable rims (ONE position) and totally inadequate clearance - unless you mess with spacers.

 

[Looking4new]

Don't forget that law enforcement, municipalities and the state don't really appreciate you running chained up tires on their pavement/asphalt. At least that is the way it is here in Ontario, I'm not too sure about down there in the Buckeye.

 

[Reg]

Don't forget that law enforcement, municipalities and the state don't really appreciate you running chained up tires on their pavement/asphalt. At least that is the way it is here in Ontario, I'm not too sure about down there in the Buckeye.

Huhh ?
I didn't see ANYWHERE in the base post even a suggestion that he is planning to run it on public roads, municipal or State.

It is a little Ku-boo-boo thingie, he is hardly gonna get a contract from the county to clear highways with THAT.

My guess is he will stick to his driveway, BICBW

 

[Looking4new]

Huhh ?
I didn't see ANYWHERE in the base post even a suggestion that he is planning to run it on public roads, municipal or State.

It is a little Ku-boo-boo thingie, he is hardly gonna get a contract from the county to clear highways with THAT.

My guess is he will stick to his driveway, BICBW

He asked whether to chain or not. I merely pointed out that the municipality wouldn't appreciate him running his chained up tires on their hardtop roads.
He doesn't need a contract to clear the highways. All he needs to do is be nieghbourly and run down the road to clean out the nieghbour and get caught.

I live on a dirt road and I run my chains all year long. I never go on the hardtop.

I don't see the original poster bellyaching about my comment, sir.

 

[grsthegreat]

if hes getting as much snow as hes stating, even the local snow plows will probably be running chained up.

heck, out local fedex and ups drivers leave their rigs chained up all winter on the rural routes.

Also, most country folk have dirt roads...least ways most ive seen. i leave the asphalt for the city folk hehe:licking:

 

[Gary Fowler]

I can't believe you guys are talking snow already!

ALREADY, heck they never stop even when there isnt an snow accumulation for the whole winter, its still snow removal or lack of snow removal.
I like to see it fall on the pastures and woodlands around home then let Mother Nature take care of removing it. I got 4 WD on my vehicles, Kubota RTV 900 for trudging thru the snow if needed even bar lug tires on the golf cart which pushes it right on thru, so no snowblower, brushes or other removal for me. Let it stay pretty as long as it can which is usually not more than a couple days except maybe in the shady areas that never see sun.

 

[Looking4new]

Just like the Boy Scouts, be prepared.

I have been leaving the snow in my laneway until I start pushing it with the front bumper on my Jeep, but when we get the January thaw the laneway turns to 12-16" of slush and slop. After it freezes again I have ruts, huge ruts. This coming winter I am going to blow as soon as it snows and maybe I won't have that problem again.

I used to have a two way plow on my Farmall C row crop and the snow would shove the front end where ever and I couldn't push it up very far. I put chains on the rears.....What a huge difference! I could push snow into 9' piles.

My walk behind 24 inch cut snowblower is getting worked to death, that is why I'm going to do the lane with a Kioti with cab and front mount blower. With tire chains on all 4 corners and weights on the rears.

 

[Creamer]

I don't live in that heavy of snow area but it is usually wet and heavy and my driveway is a quarter mile long with trees on one side so there is drifting. My 1710 has turf on the rear and industrial on the front. I don't have a snow blower but plowing snow is fun! I don't use power and force, I use speed and technique. Lots of spinning wheels and 180 degree turns are donuts. No way to chains - they will slow everything down and make it boring.