Does anyone run a snowcaster without tire chains?
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The answer to your question lies in several factors.
If you are clearing smooth paved surfaces, then you might get by without chains providing you add substantial weight to the tractor in the correct spots.
If you are clearing a gravelled area, then chains will be your best friend but you still need extra weight to make them work effectively.
Extra weight comes in several forms.
- loading the tires with a liquid ballast such as windshield washer fluid, RV plumbing anti-freeze or RimGuard beet juice.
- installing wheel weights
- adding a factory weight box or weight kit to the rear of the tractor.
Most owners do at least 2 of above and some do all 3. You need lots of weight pushing the tire's contact patch into the surface you are driving on. On hard packed snow or ice......chains are mandatory and 2 link chains are better than 4 link ones. There is nothing more frustrating than driving out of your garage to clear snow and finding yourself stuck in it....unable to move. That's when you realize that you aren't as smart as you thought you were. :lol:
If you are clearing smooth paved surfaces, then you might get by without chains providing you add substantial weight to the tractor in the correct spots.
If you are clearing a gravelled area, then chains will be your best friend but you still need extra weight to make them work effectively.
Extra weight comes in several forms.
- loading the tires with a liquid ballast such as windshield washer fluid, RV plumbing anti-freeze or RimGuard beet juice.
- installing wheel weights
- adding a factory weight box or weight kit to the rear of the tractor.
Most owners do at least 2 of above and some do all 3. You need lots of weight pushing the tire's contact patch into the surface you are driving on. On hard packed snow or ice......chains are mandatory and 2 link chains are better than 4 link ones. There is nothing more frustrating than driving out of your garage to clear snow and finding yourself stuck in it....unable to move. That's when you realize that you aren't as smart as you thought you were. :lol:
I agree on all accounts above.
I have only one customer who gets by with nothing added ... and he is a hefty fellow but not especially so (maybe 250-270). He has turf tire all winter, but works on a short, flat, rough concrete driveway.
Biggest problem area is if you get out of the track you just cut with the blower ... then you can get the turfs up on to fresh, deep snow, where it can be a challenge to move even inches.
You will be well advised to have weight, ag lugs, or chains ...
Brian
I have only one customer who gets by with nothing added ... and he is a hefty fellow but not especially so (maybe 250-270). He has turf tire all winter, but works on a short, flat, rough concrete driveway.
Biggest problem area is if you get out of the track you just cut with the blower ... then you can get the turfs up on to fresh, deep snow, where it can be a challenge to move even inches.
You will be well advised to have weight, ag lugs, or chains ...
Brian
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I have been pleasantly surprised with the performance of my filled ag tires on relatively level areas. If you have a paved driveway that is kept mostly free of ice then the ags are a good choice and you probably don't need chains. No tires will work on ice. Turf tires are nearly useless without chains no matter how much weight you have.
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I think you'll be okay with the snowcaster. If you were plowing it would be almost useless without chains.
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From my experience tire chains are a must. Added weight may be optional depending on your situation but it's never a bad thing(at least on a tractor). Ag lugs work ok in loose snow, and leave really cool tracks, but on packed snow and ice they might as well be racing slicks.
ByCo
ByCo
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3,483 Posts
Turfs with wheel weights and two link chains tight on the tires works for me on my crushed stone driveway. Snow blower doesn't like the stones, but plow is OK, switch back and forth when necessary. I'm 225 and that ain't my age!!! HaHa!!!! Vanguard repowered 4018 by the way!!
Still trying to get my customers cleaned up, but this stinking rain, but better than snow!!!!
I have oak leaves that are 10-12 inches long!!! Been coming down slowly since the hurricane but still not all down!!! Clog city with the collection systems!!!
Mad Mackie in CT :mrgreen: :mowlawn:
Still trying to get my customers cleaned up, but this stinking rain, but better than snow!!!!
I have oak leaves that are 10-12 inches long!!! Been coming down slowly since the hurricane but still not all down!!! Clog city with the collection systems!!!
Mad Mackie in CT :mrgreen: :mowlawn:
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2,125 Posts
Last time I weighed under 200 was during the Eisenhower administration...Bob MacGregor said:
add 400+ lbs of filled tires and wheel weights, I still need chains on turfs to effectively push a plow.(446) A blower requires less push when operating but as soon as you lift it, all that cantilevered weight out front reduces traction when you need it to back up. So I still run filled tires and weights/chains with a caster on the 4020. I`d err on the side of caution and add as many aids to traction as possible. Overkill is half the fun, right ?
JMO / YMMV
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3,483 Posts
I forgot to include that I have the center section of 2" frame hitch bolted into the Hydrabagger mounting bracket with a ball mount and a 70LB steel weight bolted to it.
The sweet smell of Thanksgiving preparation is making my stomach growl, I'll have to head for the garage and light up a good Cuban, cigar that is!!!
I deflate the rear tires, install the chains, inflate the tires. The chains stay nice and tight which I feel is needed to get good traction. With filled tires this can be a challenge!!!
Happy Turkey Day to you all!!
Mad Mackie in CT
The sweet smell of Thanksgiving preparation is making my stomach growl, I'll have to head for the garage and light up a good Cuban, cigar that is!!!
I deflate the rear tires, install the chains, inflate the tires. The chains stay nice and tight which I feel is needed to get good traction. With filled tires this can be a challenge!!!
Happy Turkey Day to you all!!
Mad Mackie in CT
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