White Christmas was Slippery for my Branson 3510

[colestin_valley]

I had done a great job plowing the road -- over a mile of steep, winding, gravel road under 10 inches of new snow -- and was maybe a hundred feet from my own drive, when I just floated on my R4's to the right and down the bank. My tractor became intimate with the field fence. I cut the fence and pretended that I had wanted to go through the pasture all along.

This has prompted me to buy chains. The tractor is a Branson 3510 with R4's sized as above. Have any of you bought/used chains with such a beast? Did you have clearance issues? Did you find any chains that fit nicely?

Hope I can get some before the next storm blows in!

Mark LaCoste
Very southern Oregon, near Ashland
Will fill in my profile info soon!

 

[sassafraspete]

Mark, if you look at some of my postings, for example dreaming of a white xmas...you should find a shot of my 4020 with front chains. At first when I was investigating getting chains...I wasn't thinking about getting them for the front...but several on TBN suggested it...so I went with them. I live in a hilly area, and have found that the 4wd is great....but when you are dealing with deep snow, and especially angled blades that want to throw you in the ditch at the first opportunity...it is easy to get out of sorts. If you get that front tire over the berm of the road, watch out. Some people claim that front chains puts too much stess on the axel, but I only use them for snow, and go slow...ie I don't go down the road in high range with them on. Also, having them on the front help you with steering, and thus help keep you out of trouble. I was impressed with the chains this past week when we got 20 inches. I was able to get a good grip on some very slippery hills. Front chains are easier to put on, as they are lighter, and if you have a FEL, just raise your tires off the ground.

I got my chains thru tirechains.com (advertised on this site). It took me awhile working with them to find out they had too many extra links. Some people tie these off so they don't flop...but I just got my bolt cutter out and lopped off a couple extra links. Some people also use carabiners to hook the loose ends.

I would just get some short rubber tie downs or bunge cords to tension the chains. I have spring tensioners, but they tend to flop off easier, and I think the tie downs would be cheaper and stay put better in my opinion. Someone in one of the postings even goes as far as deflating his tires, then reinflating to get a tight fit.

I haven't tried this, but is also seems that a person could use one of those ratcheting tie down straps to pull the 2 ends of the chains together when putting them on and help you be able to hook them. Usually, you have to work with the cross chains some to get them over the lugs in a way to help hook the 2 ends together. I usually struggle with having enough hands when trying to pull the 2 ends together and hook them together at the same time. Seems that the strap would help in this situation.

Anyhow....that's my 2 cents worth.

sassafraspete

 

[rameye]

yup,

I finally got a chance to practice with the rear blade, I have front chains also. They are simple to put on via the FEL. I dont use spreaders and have no slop or flop either. They are simple roller chains. I was going to buy rears but my dealer told me not too. Fronts are cheaper and easier and he assured me they will work, they do! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

One thing I should mention is to watch the clearance between the hydraulic hoses on the FEL controller and the right front wheel chains when turning hard to the right. Initially y chains contacted the controller hoses and knocked one loose! (what the heck is this clear fluid leaking from my tractor???...geez thats not water!! quick shut it off!!!!) /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Anyway I adjusted the hose angles and all is well..

My driveway is a 500' slippery icy slope. I was able to back blade up the bank with ocassional diff lock engagement.

good luck

happy in NH /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

see slippery slope photo attached

 

[colestin_valley]

Say, RamEye, looks like you could make an unplanned entry onto the highway with a sled run like that!

I was not considering front chains. I read all the posts about being hard on the front tranny, etc, but i got to thinking last night about how much slipage occurrs. Heck, all four tires often spin at different rates on snow, so I don't see how front chains would cause any problem. So I think I'll follow SassafrassPete's line of reasoning. I only use chains in snow, never drive on pavement at all.

The big point that I never even thought of was that chains near the blade so's I don't get shoved around.

 

[colestin_valley]

Additional! I just noticed where both of you guys hail from. RamEye, my dealer is in California, low elevation, so doesn't do much with snow or chains. If your dealer (in NH) says go with front chains he probably knows what he's talking about.

SassafrasPete, I followed your White Xmas thread and was well entertained. Educated, too! But I didn't look at the pics.

 

[rameye]

Except for loggin rigs..most folks with machines around here (my observation) use just front chains. I originally wanted chains on all 4 tires and the dealer was dead set against that. He felt that would for sure beat up the drive train.

You can see my driveway, it's not trick photography! Usually an icy mess 1-2 inches of ice (covered by snow of course) by the time I get to cleaning it.

Fronts pulled me up the the hill dragging my rear 7' rear blade. So I guess you can take that for face value. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[colestin_valley]

I've decided to go with just front chains. Now if I can just remember to call Les Schwab and order them! It's snowing now, should continue all weekend. Fun!

 

[rameye]

enjoy,

were going to get something here on the coast...sounds like a rain event more than anything.

try that tirechains.com site...used them for my plowgirl good prices...not a chain expert, cant comment on quality.

peace

 

[Strongman]

Hi everyone,

I am thinking about either a Branson 3520 or Century 3035 with a FEL and am wondering about the traction with the industrial tires (R4?) in snow (Southeastern Michigan). This Fourm has been wonderful to learn about these tractors, an I've read with particular interest on this thread. One thing I haven't read about here is the possibility of using choride in the tires like my Dad's JD 70 has. I've heard about weight being important for traction, and weight in the back to counterbalance the FEL; wouldn't the chloride help give you both? What would be the downside to doing this? Does anyone do this with these tractors?

 

[Golfgar4]

Hello Strongman, and welcome to TBN! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

You probably should have started a whole new post with your question. But hey, these guys are pretty friendly, so I'm sure they won't mind you jumping in. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Using fluid in tires is one of the more "popular" topics for discussion around here. Here's a link Fluid Filled Tires to just one of the threads. If you do a search using the Search feature at the top of the page, I'm sure you'll find more information than you probably want! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Good luck, and we look forward to your future contributions. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif