Winter tire /chain experiment

[pfrederi 18,685]

This winter I fitted my Electro 12 with some old 6.00x12 snow tires, chains, wheel weights and some weight on the drawbar. We haven't had tons of snow but have had enough (with ice underneath) to make an initial assessment.

In the past I have used the bigger turf tires with chains. I am impressed by the performance of the narrow tires. Plowing I can make the engine labor pushing snow. Other plow tractors have always lost traction before the engine really had to work.

The diagonal chains also make for a much much smoother ride than either the 2 or 4 link setups I also have. My drive way is gravel and I also plow some grassy areas.

The #40 roller chain is working out OK on the narrower front wheels.

So far I am happy...really like the fast reverse with the hydro.

click to enlarge

Edited January 30, 2013 by pfrederi

[SousaKerry 503]

Growin up on the farm we always used the tractor with the narrowest tires for snow plowing, Dad claimed it concentrated the weight better on a amaller footprint so that it would dig in rather then float on top.

Which if you think about it Turf tires are designed to spread out the weight and not sink into your lawn, hence the term "flotation tires"

[Fun Engineer 859]

Too bad no one produces the old 12 inch snow tires anymore. I'd use them.

[pfrederi 18,685]

Too bad no one produces the old 12 inch snow tires anymore. I'd use them.

They still show up on evil bay ..were use on a lot of older garden tractors

The chains I got in Europe while stationed there. At the time we had an 1981 Honda civic 1300. It actually had 6.00x12 tires. bought chains to fit it. As is typically German they are complex but you can put them on with out moving teh vehicle or jacking it up.