Traction Traction tips ?

[Northland]

I too looked for options prior to buying chains but nothing else seemed workable; including putting screws into the tires.

With my hills I needed chains. I went a winter without chains and had my tractor slide sideways more then once on even slight down-slopes

I then added rear 4 link v-bar chains and they made a huge difference. Last winter I added a snowblower. I wanted to try and keep my trails cleared so I added 2 link front v-bar chains. In order to do so I had to reverse the front wheels. Now my tractor will go anywhere without any problems

 

[ME83]

If the conditions are THAT variable (dangerous at one extreme and needing to protect surface at the other end), maybe some SERIOUS SPENDING is called for, here are a couple of possibilities;

Onspot of North America
Insta-Chain, the Automatic Ice Chain | Instachain Insta Chain

As to whether or not a slow moving tractor would create enough tire speed to fling the chains out ?
They've probably answered that question more than a few times.

Either one would be cheap compared to 1,000 ft drop.

I don't think those will work all that well with a tractor. Beside the tractor going fairly slow the single chain ends will also fall between the cleats on a tractor tire and then be useless.

The best option is tire chains. Usually the duo-link type chains are better for tractor tries and they ride smoother than other types on pavement. I have never used the v-bar type chains nor have I ever had a need for a more aggressive chain. The standard duo-links grab very well on ice and are less obtrusive so they should ride better. Even with chains, I always add about 1500 lbs to the 3pt hitch with loaded rears and wheel weights (weight only helps in snow & ice).

 

[LBrown59]

I keep a pile of chipped pea gravel nearby. Then, get a scoop of the gravel in the bucket and use the rear blade for plowing. Where it is excessively icy, I then sprinkle a bit of gravel. Works great, and not just for the tractor, but helps for all vehicles coming up the drive...

Sand works too.

 

[Lone Oak Landscaping]

Good ol chains seem to be the best set up when very icy .

I think if it is just a little slick throwing a few well placed shovel fulls of sand might save me the pain and strain of the chaining routine or frozen digits.


You just have to like the simplicity and traction of the sand idea and it will not break the bank either.

 

[Reg]

I don't think those will work all that well with a tractor. Beside the tractor going fairly slow the single chain ends will also fall between the cleats on a tractor tire and then be useless.

The best option is tire chains. Usually the duo-link type chains are better for tractor tries and they ride smoother than other types on pavement. I have never used the v-bar type chains nor have I ever had a need for a more aggressive chain. The standard duo-links grab very well on ice and are less obtrusive so they should ride better. Even with chains, I always add about 1500 lbs to the 3pt hitch with loaded rears and wheel weights (weight only helps in snow & ice).

He already HAS chains, doesn't like/want them and is looking for something different.
I understood the o/p to mean that he has a mix of treacherous snow/ice, road and driveways that he wants to not chew up.
I know it is expen$ive, but if he really wants on/off capability it is at least worth a call to the suppliers to see what they have, e.g. different friction wheel diameters for slower moving vehicles, longer chain flails for wider tires, chain flails with double rings, V-bars or whatever to avoid disappearing into deep lug tires... on and on
These are built for fairly slow moving vehicles anyway, not highway speeds, so it is probably only a small jump to make them work for even slower tractors.
BICBW

 

[JoeL4330]

I understand how the insta-chains work to provide traction, forward or reverse ...indeed, the more the wheel spins, the more the chain deploys ...

However, that doesn't seem to help in stopping, the way conventional chains would ...once the wheel is locked, then what?

Also doesn't seem to help with directional stability (steering) the way conventional chains on the front of 4WD would.

But, perhaps I don't understand

 

[skidoo]

Sand, pea gravel, both work excellent. And, it is good for the other vehicles. This is what happened to my son who was too impatient to have it done after an ice storm. There was about 1/4" to 1/2" of ice under the 1/2" of snow.

It was much nicer moving vehicles and equipment around after the gravel spread (second picture)

 

[mjncad]

The only winter I needed to use my tractor to clear out the driveway had my 4WD tractor with R4's slipping quite a bit in spots. Fortunately my ballast box is filled with sand and I keep a folding military shovel stuck in the sand. It made a big difference between going nowhere and getting the evil white stuff moved out of the way.

 

[nicknewhall]

So, what style of chains is best for ag tire? The ladder style is described best for pavement, but not for ag tires. Duo-ladder are best for ag tires, but not recommended on pavement. What to do, what to do...

 

[keeney]

The TBN-blessed answer would of course be to get a second tractor. Keep one setup with chains for days with icy conditions, and the other without.