oe espo 32 #1 Posted March 2, 2015 I was wondering if the OEM front weight system will work with snow plowing? I picked up a set of OEM front weights but with Turf the don't seem to be helping much on asphalt. I don't have the front bracket pictured but was going to make it. Will it work or interfere with plow? Also thinking about a set of V61 Vredensteins but the front weight bracket will be cheaper. Any input appreciated. Using both 312A and 520H which isn't completely back together yet. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,741 #2 Posted March 2, 2015 Probably the best thing to.help steering while snow plowing would be roller chain around each front wheel. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,154 #3 Posted March 2, 2015 I have weights on the front of my plow tractor and still can't steer very well I'm thinking of putting a set of tri rib tires on but I've heard the roller chain on the he front tires works well to Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmsgaffer 2,043 #4 Posted March 2, 2015 The weight helps, but VERY little with the turfs. Once the shallow turf grooves fill with snow its like trying to turn with slicks on ice. Vredesteins, tri ribs, or chains AND weight will be your best bet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,154 #5 Posted March 2, 2015 I had my 502 out yesterday with studded snow tires and the front weight bar I just made it went through snow like a tank it turned really well unless I was in high gear with wide open throttle Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C-85 653 #6 Posted March 2, 2015 This is how added some weight to the front end of my unit. C-85 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oe espo 32 #7 Posted March 2, 2015 Now that's some weight! I'm not used to asphalt. But it sure feels like trying to steer in grease. I have some old chain. Anyone using chain on asphalt?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oe espo 32 #8 Posted March 2, 2015 The picks of the factory weight were taken at the guys house I got the 520 and snow plow from. He wanted to keep it. So it sounds like it helps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oe espo 32 #9 Posted March 3, 2015 Does anyone have anyone have any pictures with the chains? I'm just wondering how tight to make them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
formariz 11,849 #10 Posted March 3, 2015 I have a very steep paving block driveway and always had difficulty having tractor go where wheels are turned to, specially if plow is angled. Tried weighing down front but that did not work at all. So this year I finally installed the roller chain on front tires. That is definitely the solution. Believe me, tractor will go to where wheels are turned. On heavy packed snow it will slip for a very short time and then it will grab. Chains however are not kind to the surface, specially at first before they wear a bit and loose their "sharpness". They do scratch two lines on pavement, specially if you are doing tight turns. It goes away relatively quick once scratches get dirty. Paving blocks are concrete, so on asphalt which is softer they will definitely leave a mark. Having them stay put on the tires was a bit of a challenge. I made them tight so I had to deflate tire to put them on. I still had to inflate tires quite a bit to the point where they would not come out. Its a matter of trial and error. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cheesegrader 433 #11 Posted March 3, 2015 Front turf tires are useless when trying to steer on ice. I have Firestone tri-ribs on my snowthrower tractor this winter, and they are a big improvement. Front wheel weights helped on my plow tractor, but if you add too much weight to the front end, you lift the rear and lose traction. The chain trick is good on ice and gravel, but I would be afraid on asphalt. I think it is going to do too much damage. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sorekiwi 761 #12 Posted March 3, 2015 Tri-ribs are much better in the snow than turf tires. I've never tried the roller chain. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don1977 604 #13 Posted March 3, 2015 The first time I saw roller chain used on tires was back in the 60s. They had roller chain on all four tires of gokarts that they were racing on a frozen lake. You would need a full face shield as I can see small pieces of ice been thrown at you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oe espo 32 #14 Posted March 3, 2015 Ok, original turf are 16 x 7.5 -8. Don't see them on miller tire. Closest is 16 x 6.5 - 8. Or 18 x 8.5 -8. So same diameter narrower width; or larger diameter wider width? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,154 #15 Posted March 3, 2015 The narrow ones will probably steer easier I just ordered a set of 4.00-8 tri ribs Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oe espo 32 #16 Posted March 4, 2015 Anyone have any pictures with either the 16" and 18" tall V61 Vredenstein tires?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doc724 924 #17 Posted March 4, 2015 Go to RS member Martin's "416 adventures" blog in Restorations. I think he bought the Vredestein tires you cite. You can see a pix on page 14 of his blog and if you back up several pages (maybe page 7?) you can see a better pix and he even commented on the size and mfg of his tires Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 59,687 #18 Posted March 4, 2015 loaded tires don't interfere with anything Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diamondred 63 #19 Posted March 6, 2015 this works... better shot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oe espo 32 #20 Posted March 6, 2015 (edited) I ordered a set of V61 16" x 6.5 Wide. Should be here monday. keep the pictures coming. lots of ideas out there. thanks everyone! Diamonred: First those RED wheelweights look great and funcitonal of course. What are those rears you have? You like them. I'm running chains and turfs on asphalt. Someday be buying rear tires. I got a set of loaded AG's on my 312 only 8.5 wide almost 90lb each. Wonder if there better than chains turfs. Any idea how much weight you got out front? Ever snap a bolt? Edited March 6, 2015 by oe espo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,147 #21 Posted March 6, 2015 this works... better shot. How do you open the hood to check the oil or can you get to the dipstick with out opening hood?? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diamondred 63 #22 Posted March 7, 2015 (edited) I ordered a set of V61 16" x 6.5 Wide. Should be here monday. keep the pictures coming. lots of ideas out there. thanks everyone! Diamonred: First those RED wheelweights look great and funcitonal of course. What are those rears you have? You like them. I'm running chains and turfs on asphalt. Someday be buying rear tires. I got a set of loaded AG's on my 312 only 8.5 wide almost 90lb each. Wonder if there better than chains turfs. Any idea how much weight you got out front? Ever snap a bolt? I got the tires here: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/1131/31262/STI-Black-Diamond-XTR-Radial-ATV-Tire and seem to work great til they hit ice , then they're done. I probably will go with turf tires and a good set of chains next year for winter. then use these to pull a plow in the garden Edited March 7, 2015 by diamondred Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diamondred 63 #23 Posted March 7, 2015 (edited) How do you open the hood to check the oil or can you get to the dipstick with out opening hood?? Yeah, I got to remove at least two blocks to get the hood open enough to grab the dip stick. Design flaw...lol. But I have to say , those rib tires grab good with the extra weight! Edited March 7, 2015 by diamondred Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
