Rubber tire chains - do they work in mud and snowy dirt?

[Ed Kennell 44,189]

43 minutes ago, sqrlgtr said:

Just wondering how the rubber chains do going out the side of a hill? I remember thinking someone told me they didn't do so well going out the side of a hill and that is the reason for me sticking with the vee bar steel chains. IDK if there is anything to that because Ive never tried the rubber type .

I think it was @lynnmor that mentioned that.     I don't have to plow on a side hill, but i'm sure the rubber straps would not offer much side traction.

[lynnmor 8,420]

45 minutes ago, sqrlgtr said:

Just wondering how the rubber chains do going out the side of a hill? I remember thinking someone told me they didn't do so well going out the side of a hill and that is the reason for me sticking with the vee bar steel chains. IDK if there is anything to that because Ive never tried the rubber type .

I mentioned that on here.  Side to side you are riding on rubber toboggans, I have a short and steep section that I did a 180 on the first time.  I learned to do that first by plowing downhill and returning up the other side. 

[Racinbob 12,523]

1 hour ago, sqrlgtr said:

 

That's where I was looking. I mis understood and thought you had ordered from terra grip. I appreciate the spec chart you posted above that helps tremendously.

 

Nah! You didn't misunderstand. I thought I got them at TerraGrip too. 

I had to go back and check.

[Alrashid2 435]

You guys are awesome. Really great discussions here!!

 

I think I've ultimately decided that I'll wait until I blow one of these old dry rotted tires... at that point I can decide what tire I want to get, and most likely choose one of the ones discussed here and from there, see how it does compared to my current turf savers - maybe I won't need chains at all? And if I still do, then I'll buy the rubber chains that fit the new tires exactly, since I know regardless I'll be buying new sized tires since my size isnt readily available anymore.

 

Appreciate you all! Great discussion. I'm sure I'll come back to this post in the new year or so and make a decision

[sqrlgtr 1,905]

3 hours ago, lynnmor said:

I mentioned that on here.  Side to side you are riding on rubber toboggans, I have a short and steep section that I did a 180 on the first time.  I learned to do that first by plowing downhill and returning up the other side. 

I thought I had seen that on here before. I have to go out the side of hills a lot around. I still might try to make a set up I know it would be easier on the pavement and concrete.

[JoeM 9,450]

Clean Machines and those weight boxes are the ticket for traction too!

[pfrederi 19,548]

25 minutes ago, JoeM said:

Clean Machines and those weight boxes are the ticket for traction too!

  Nice looking machines...But I have never seen any correlation between snowplowing.Blowing ability and tractor cleanliness 

 

[Ed Kennell 44,189]

2 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

correlation between snowplowing.Blowing ability and tractor cleanliness 

A clean polished blade and blower chute is a good thing.    

[Brockport Bill 2,183]

like others, we here in the Hudson Valley of NY don't seem to have the same frequency or depth of snow storms as years ago -- i use the C175h with 48 plow for most clearing and occassionally when needed I have walk behind blower to do any deep build up of pushed back snow along sides of driveway from tractor plow. I have plowed over the years with just turf tires, sometimes with and/or without weights or chains ---- i did install the chains this winter --- but no weights.

i have often thought of investing $$ in the "rubber" chains. This spring however I plan to have the asphalt driveway sealed so it will be very vulnerable to the steel chain scratches next winter - - certainly don't want chain marks after paying for nice seal job. I have slight slope on 75 ft driveway - but we all know once the plow blade has cleaned the snow almost bare on asphalt driveway  traction is not a big need -- it is only on rare occassion i ever have the rear ties "spin" with no chains and just rubber treads - -but when i have steel chains i do get some spinning thus the scratch marks -- so we will see how this winter goes -- but maybe for next season the conversion will be wise after the asphalt gets sealed -- or i will just not put the chains on.

[pfrederi 19,548]

If you have a paved driveway and you keep it plowed so it clears off between storms tires alone are probably enough,  But if the UPS guy,  the mail man, propane guy  who ever drives in and packs it down so you can't scrape it  clear completely before the next snow fall ....you may have an issue. 

[lynnmor 8,420]

1 hour ago, Brockport Bill said:

 

i have often thought of investing $$ in the "rubber" chains. This spring however I plan to have the asphalt driveway sealed so it will be very vulnerable to the steel chain scratches next winter - - certainly don't want chain marks after paying for nice seal job. 

 

Before you pay for a seal job go to a shopping center and look at the white lines, there you see a crack alongside nearly every one.  Yes, a seal job can look nice for awhile till it slowly destroys the asphalt.

[Brockport Bill 2,183]

2 hours ago, lynnmor said:

 

Before you pay for a seal job go to a shopping center and look at the white lines, there you see a crack alongside nearly every one.  Yes, a seal job can look nice for awhile till it slowly destroys the asphalt.

interesting point and that may be the typical situation for most people's driveway  ---------- but i do not have that problem -- my asphalt driveway is over 35 yrs old -- no deterioration or degrading, no holes, no chipping, no repair necessary etc -- Why? Because my asphalt guy was high end commercial paving company -- not a usual residential driveway guy or typical "Sealer guy" - Actually, my asphalt installation guy recommended my sealer guy -- i don't recall the exact product material name of the sealer product but it's not the standard driveway sealer product -- it's some type petroleum oil based product to avoid the "destroying" issue you noted - i have had that same company apply his product multiple times over the years - terrific results - both longevity and durability and appearance. 

[kpinnc 16,717]

4 hours ago, pfrederi said:

Nice looking machines...But I have never seen any correlation between snowplowing.Blowing ability and tractor cleanliness 

 

 

Can't speak for moving snow, but mine work harder when they look good... 

Edited 15 hours ago by kpinnc

[Racinbob 12,523]

16 hours ago, pfrederi said:

  Nice looking machines...But I have never seen any correlation between snowplowing.Blowing ability and tractor cleanliness 

 

 

Come on Paul. Ya know how you can spend a day washing, waxing and detailing your vehicle and the first time you take it for a drive it seems to run better? .............Same thing. 

[steelman 255]

My first winter using rubber chains. I bought two sets at an online auction for $5. I spent at least an hour installing them recently. I’m not impressed with their grip/ traction but they are quiet and don’t leave rust marks on my garage floor.