Traction Technique?

[9973720wb19]

This is only my second year with a tractor...learned a lot...mostly you guys have given me an additional few years of fast track learning.

Question: I was a bit dispointed when my 4720 Cab Hydro Trans. with R4s could not make it up a small knoll/hill in about 6inchs of snow. Thinking about it, I thought...okay...I had it in "B" and about 2,000 rpms and the front tires spun and back tires did nothing...peddle to metal and it just sat there! What if I put it in "A" and cranked up the rpms more...would that have given the back tires more pull that would have got me up the hill?

 

[k0ua]

This is only my second year with a tractor...learned a lot...mostly you guys have given me an additional few years of fast track learning.

Question: I was a bit dispointed when my 4720 Cab Hydro Trans. with R4s could not make it up a small knoll/hill in about 6inchs of snow. Thinking about it, I thought...okay...I had it in "B" and about 2,000 rpms and the front tires spun and back tires did nothing...peddle to metal and it just sat there! What if I put it in "A" and cranked up the rpms more...would that have given the back tires more pull that would have got me up the hill?

Huh? rear tires did nothing? at least one of them should have been rotating also. yes go to low range, but dont "put the pedal to the metal." ease your way back up. and use your differential lock. or watch your rear tires and if one is spinning and the other is standing still, press very lightly on the split brake on the side that is spinning. I have rarely seen any good come of trying high speed spinning when you are stuck.. you should also try to put your loader edge down and curl to push your self backwards while holding down the differential lock and slowly applying they hydro pedal . do not hit it hard, especially when engageing the differential lock.. easy does it.. you can sometime rock your front tires side to side and get a different bite.. use finess not brute force..
James K0UA

 

[Bigturk]

I have a DK40 HST and also experienced poor traction on gravel drive. I have tried the dif lock and make it to the top of the drive eventually. A trick that works for me is to curl the cutting edge of my plow down and turn up some of the stone as I travel back down the drive. This gives me a little traction for my next pass. I have loaded R4s and am a little concerned at the lack of grip. This is my first winter with my tractor so I am still learning. Still lots of fun.

 

[RFB]

Do none of you folks run chains?

 

[First one]

If you didn't get some momentum behind you going up a hill with snow or ice on it and you were in Med. it sounds like you just didn't have the power that you needed . If you were in low with a good steady speed with your differential locked in then you might have made it.
R4's are a good all around tire ,(nothing like Ag's in the snow) but without chain's on the rear ( some use them on front too)in snow or ice you can loss traction pretty quick . I don't think by giving it any more rpm's would have helped much if at all. Most of the time when you start spinning going up hill it's time to back'er down and get a little run at it .
Don't be dispointed at all ,most tractors trying to do that same thing at a stand still would have a hard time as well if they didn't have it in low 4x4 or Ag's or chain's or weight of some sort of another . A set of chain's does wonders. :2cents:

 

[jcmseven]

Welcome to the world of plowing with a tractor. I had a 4520 (the same size as yours). It was, without doubt, the worst piece of snowmoving equipment I have ever owned, despite the fact it was a great tractor otherwise. These machines are very heavy and have high horsepower and R4 tires in your case. This is the triple threat for snow removal. My opinion, without getting into specifics, is that you will need chains. They make all the difference and allow the power and weight of the machine to get to the pavement (or gravel). With chains, you will turn your wet rag into a solid snow removal machine. Without them, more of the same will occur.

John M

 

[DK35vince]

I used to constantly fight for traction to plow snow.
A few years ago I had enough.
I put chains on all 4 tires and now I can push a lot more snow. Now that I'm not always spinning I can push snow faster, I can push snow farther back , I can push snow down hill, I can push snow up hill. The differance is huge.

 

[9973720wb19]

Thanks for all the replies guys...very helpful. Btw, I was coming up my front lawn when I got stuck. my paved drive is steep (use a snowblower it's safer) and I was going around it...after plowing the lower paved drive. When I purchased the 4720, just a few weeks ago (had a 3720), I did get chains for all 4. I have never put them on, but will in the AM...looking fwd to the results you guys mentioned. Who knows, maybe I'll be able to plow my paved steep drive with the chains on?

 

[SandburRanch]

If the rear tires won't spin at least chains will make that tractor look like it means business.:laughing:

 

[9973720wb19]

sure will, so long as I'm able to get the chains to stay on...I guess I'll look cool one way or another.

 

[SandburRanch]

If we read the operators manual of most cars or trucks with an auto tranny it states how to get the most traction. It often refers from a stand still but continues with some speed.
I've found it is good advice and although not usually mentioned it works just as well in mud and sand.

 

[SPYDERLK]

If we read the operators manual of most cars or trucks with an auto tranny it states how to get the most traction. It often refers from a stand still but continues with some speed.
I've found it is good advice and although not usually mentioned it works just as well in mud and sand.

:confused2::confused2:

 

[RoyJackson]

sure will, so long as I'm able to get the chains to stay on...I guess I'll look cool one way or another.

You'll want the chains as tight as you can get 'em. Use tensioners or bungees to keep them tight.

 

[thatguy]

When I need traction I rock my body forward and back, forward and back... This makes me feel like im helping, but I am pretty sure it doesnt help with the traction.. LOL

brian

 

[looknlearn]

One thing I didn't see mentioned is that chains give great traction but on pavement, they tend to scratch it up. I don't know if you got pavement or not but if you do I am just warning you.

 

[RoyJackson]

When I need traction I rock my body forward and back, forward and back... This makes me feel like im helping, but I am pretty sure it doesnt help with the traction.. LOL

brian

Every little bit helps...

 

[jcmseven]

I know that it likely is already too late since you have already bought your chains, but the diamond tread pattern chains ride smoother and tend to not scratch or scuff the pavement so much. There is a lot of debate about whether one needs chains on front and back, I would try back only and see how it does first. Using front chains can put some additional wear and tear on the front axle and will also tend to scuff pavement much more.

John M

 

[9973720wb19]

4720 Update today using chains...Put chains on all 4 this morning first time i put chains on and first time I've experienced them as well. I took my time, and it took 1.5 hours to put them on, but once on, they stayed put used bungees too. omg!! it's like a new machine. I tried the hills where I had just spun out...went right up. after a while, i felt so confident with the chains, i plowed my stone trail with ups and downs. (trail leads to my shop where i keep the tractor, and pre-chains, I'd have to get my tractor to the house before the snow came or I would not be able to get it) heck...i ran out of things to plow, so I started plowing the lawn in a mowing pattern...chains make for much more usefulness in the snow.

I ordered some tensioners from TireChains.com - ordered the chains with the tractor so the dealer nicely fitted them. may be getting more snow mid week.

 

[First one]

4720 Update today using chains...Put chains on all 4 this morning first time i put chains on and first time I've experienced them as well. I took my time, and it took 1.5 hours to put them on, but once on, they stayed put used bungees too. omg!! it's like a new machine. I tried the hills where I had just spun out...went right up. after a while, i felt so confident with the chains, i plowed my stone trail with ups and downs. (trail leads to my shop where i keep the tractor, and pre-chains, I'd have to get my tractor to the house before the snow came or I would not be able to get it) heck...i ran out of things to plow, so I started plowing the lawn in a mowing pattern...chains make for much more usefulness in the snow.

I ordered some tensioners from TireChains.com - ordered the chains with the tractor so the dealer nicely fitted them. may be getting more snow mid week.

It is like getting a new tractor isn't it?
You might, if you haven't already want to read up on some of the post on front chains. Some of the guys talk about some of the do's and don'ts that make alot of sense. There seems to be just as many who think chains on the front are ok as not .Might save you a costly repair to the front end later down the road. Hope you get more snow to play around with.:thumbsup:

 

[Bradlyk]

Lol my neighbor put chains on his tractor but didn't tighten them enough and needless to say just a little driving and it took of one of his rear lights :laughing: