HankB 16 #1 Posted January 19, 2010 (Note - I'll call them rims vs. wheels as it is almost useless to search for wheel size on this forum. ) I've done some searching and found a bit of conflicting information, so I'll ask again to ascertain the latest opinion. This is the first winter I'm using chains for plowing with my 314-H. Previously I used a 42" blade and made do with just the turf tires. It didn't work the best, but if I could get a running start, 700lb of tractor and 200 lb of me could move some snow. This winter I'm using a 48" blade and 4-link chains. Traction is much improved and I'm fine except charging into snow drifts. But the chains are really scraping up my asphalt drive. That's not to big an issue this winter since I really need to top coat the drive anyway. But next winter I won't want to scrape up my new top coat. I'm thinking that agricultural tires with extra weight will provide adequate traction with less damage. I haven't decided whether or not I want to use the ags during the summer. I'm thinking that somewhat narrower ags will provide better snow traction and that could result in tearing up the turf in the spring. The tires the 314-H came equipped with are 23x9.50-12. I think that means it has 8 1/2" rims. (Width, that is.) I understand that 7" wide rims were more common on older tractors with 12" diameter rims. I also see that ags come in 23x8.50-12 and 23-10.50x12. Am I correct that the narrower tires will provide better traction on an asphalt drive while plowing snow? My thought on this is that there will be less rubber in contact with the pavement and that will help it cut through the snow. If I go with the 23x8.50-12 size, then I'm pretty sure that the 7" wide rims will work well. I wonder how the 23x10.50-12 ags would fit on a 7" rim. I understand that will make the tread profile rounder and that might actually improve snow traction. The tires I'm looking at at the moment are: 23x8.50-12 23x10.50-12 The chief benefit of these - along with low price - is that the address is local - about 25 miles from home. The next question is applicability of rims from other brands. I have read that all 12" diameter tractor wheels are the same, that Wheel Horse rims have different back spacing than every one else and that one member is using Cub Cadet rims on their Wheel Horse. So... do I need to stick with Whel Horse rims for my 314-H or not? Does the tire profile matter? I can imagine a narrow tire on a 7" rim would allow more clearance for a wheel with deeper back spacing. Lastly, if there is anyone in the far western Chicago 'burbs that would like to temporarily swap a pair of ags for a pair of turfs so I can check out how well they work during our next snow, let me know! Likewise if you've got a pair of ags or spare rims you would like to sell, don't hesitate to let me know. Thanks! -hank PS: no significant snow in the ten day forecast, but we're likely to see more before the warm winds blow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C-Series14 15 #2 Posted January 19, 2010 I can only give some info on what I have found over the years as far as plowing...I do run 10.5 Ags on the 7" rims and they do work. But when plowing snow, they do have traction problems in the deep stuff. I tried the chains one year and found the same thing you did, they tore up the blacktop so off came the chains. I have never needed them since. This year, I took off the 10.5's and installed Duro 8.5 Ags and they seem to do much better. Others will chime in, I am sure...they always do! :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtmoyer 1 #3 Posted January 19, 2010 i have 10.5 ags on the 520, i used it to mow last summer with out any problem to the grass. it did leave some marks when it was real wet. now for snow: there is a slight slope in my drive and after sledding the kids with the plow tractor and chains i took out the 520 with the 2stage blower. i got stuck at the end of the drive. i have weights and filled tires but the ags just spun. i had to have some one stand on the back to get the traction. after that i put the tiller on the back and that solved the problem. :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whfan74 2,071 #4 Posted January 19, 2010 I wish I could find the post but there has been some discussion on here regarding new hard rubber chains made especially so your driveway won't get scratched up. Take a look in to that as well.......that might be a cheaper solution for you. I have run 8.50's and 10.50's ags on my plowing tractor. I have the Wheel Horse wheel weights as well as 175 lbs. of suitcase weights off the back. Personally I prefer the 8.50's due to the fact they cut through the snow more effectively and there is more weight in a smaller area which in turn leads to better traction. Tires get expensive.....especially if you need to get another set of rims to mount them on. Good luck on your decision and hope this helps a bit........... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cody 277 #5 Posted January 19, 2010 I have never used the 8.5 ags fpr powing, I do run 10.5 ag tires on the plow tractor and they worked ok with out chains but once I put chains on it was like night and day. But if i was plowing on blacktop I think I would purchase a set of rubber tire chains, they wouldn't tear up the driveway and they provide alot more traction. Heres a site that has rubber tire chains http://www.weaversinfo.com/Price%20sheets/...tire_chains.htm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,662 #6 Posted January 19, 2010 Yes there are different back sets on wheels. I have some JD wheels (deeper backset) but you cannot use chains on them. Not enough lateral clearance....Work OK with just tires.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankB 16 #7 Posted January 19, 2010 Thanks all for the replies. i have 10.5 ags on the 520, i used it to mow last summer with out any problem to the grass. it did leave some marks when it was real wet. now for snow: there is a slight slope in my drive and after sledding the kids with the plow tractor and chains i took out the 520 with the 2stage blower. i got stuck at the end of the drive. i have weights and filled tires but the ags just spun. i had to have some one stand on the back to get the traction. after that i put the tiller on the back and that solved the problem. Does the 520 weigh more than a 314-H? (I should probably ask how much more. ) But this sounds like a weight problem with the blower out in front. And lucky for me the slope on my drive is barely sufficient to allow water to run off. Heres a site that has rubber tire chains http://www.weaversinfo.com/Price%20sheets/...tire_chains.htm I wonder why rubber chains would provide more traction than lugged tires. Could it be a sharper edge on the rubber? I could probably get that benefit by siping the tires. I looked at the rubber tire chains and they are actually more expensive than the tires, though the cost of wheels could tip the balance the other way. thanks, hank Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bk-scouter 93 #8 Posted January 19, 2010 I believe Micah ("Mainedad" here in the forum) sells those rubber chains as well. I've been meaning to get a set of those myself. You can click on the link below to go to his gardening web page. There you can click onto his rubber chain link and purchase them thru him. http://www.gardentractorgardening.com/ Hey Micah, how about a kick back on a new set for me?? -BK Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
