Steering in Snow (sliding plowing)

[tomtractor 71]

Hello all,

I was wondering how other people prevent their WH from sliding while plowing.  Do people use chains, bike chain, studs, etc... on their FRONT TIRES? I currently have wheel weights on the front and rear.  Also chains on the rear tires.  The front seam like they need something. It is really annoying when I have a load of wood to have now control over steering!

Thanks and have a great holiday season.

Tom

[sorekiwi 761]

There are quite a few posts here suggesting  the use of a piece of roller chain around the circumference of the tire.  Apparently this works well, but I've never tried it.

 

I use skinny tri-ribs on the front of mine, 100% better than the wider turfs.

[Ken B 3,189]

Tri ribs will really help. You might also want too add some fluid to the front tires.. What model tractor are you using?

[Hodge71 665]

I think a lot has to do with the amount of tread depth the tire has. I have heard tri-ribs are much better but I have had good luck with Carlisle Turf Savers that have more than half tread depth. My Charger 12 has them with less than half…ok so maybe its closer to bald and they slide something fierce. The Turf Master by Carlisle does much much better. I have them on the front of the 18 Automatic and I cannot get it to slide no matter how much of a head of snow I am pushing with it. I am very happy with them and will be putting them on the front and rear of the C-160 and the Charger 12 as well next spring

[leeave96 490]

I use front cast iron wheel weights and have had good luck with those.

[lobo 22]

I was going to try the roller chain idea this year but ran onto a pair of chains that fit the front of my C-100, they did rather well the other day clearing the lane. Have got a piar of weights but need to have them machined some before they will fit the way I want.

[953 nut 60,070]

Tri Ribs!

[Tankman 3,523]

Driving slow enough, sliding not too much of a problem.

 

How's 'bout weights on the plow (snow blade) itself? 

[gomer gump 8]

on my 312,416 use front wheel wts on my 520 don,t use anything  skidding  99% of the time is usually operator trying to push too darn much . unfortunately wheel horse did not have a 4 wh drive system wish they did . just back up an take a lighter cut an go in a lower gear , steer straight and lift up attachment when in reverse . wheel horse is only a garden tractor  with 2 wheel drive aint gonna perform miracles , wish it could also I found putting more air psi in tires helped and a good set of tire chains not the cheap ones  also rear wheel wts help . I,ve got hvy cast wts on all my tractors except mowing ones . tri ribs I found was great in mud an dirt but not so great in snow. also a lot a guys forget most wh tractors the steering is wore out from years of use ,I put new steering on a lot of my tractors from the steering wheel to the wheel bearings replace everything with new parts not used ,you will find it will make a hell of a difference . just rebuilt a 416-8  put all new parts on steering steers like a dream .just don,t buy used when it comes to steering ,you will have a lot of slop . doing the roller chain thing I don,t think is the answer but if it helps use it ,I wouldn,t waste my time or money on that. toro does still make a front weight kit that mounts to the fwd frame area got them on mine does help some . best bet don,t try to over load pushing or hauling wheel horse,s will handle a lot but when your skidding your doing more than it can handle. good luck

[dodgemike 52]

As a retired heavy equipment

Operator this problem is not

Unique to small tractors. Many

Times in mud , crusher run etc.

You have to pick up your blade

Just a bit to get some weight

Back on the front end to gain

Control. You may leave a bit of

Material behind, but a quick

Clean up pass should do it.

Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2

[Buzz 502]

Tri Ribs!

 

    I didn't hear you.

[C-85 753]

This is how I've attacked the steering problem, I've done about all that I can think of and it's better than its ever been, but it still slips some!  I really like the roller chain idea and if I had seen that before I bought the snow hog tires I think I would have tried that first.

 

 

[tomtractor 71]

Would 4.00-8 tri ribs fit on the C-125? If Anyone have a pair of tri-rib tires for sale mounted to rims, please pm me.  Probably a long shot?  Again, as always a lot of great ideas.

Edited December 18, 2013 by tomtractor

[Trouty56 567]

Like dogemike said.....pick the blade up a bit for now......4.0/8's would probably fit on that 125 with tubes but might look like a little foot on a big leg if you know what I mean.....

[tomtractor 71]

What size is recommended for the C-125?

[Coadster32 793]

Just re-reading your question, looks like there's two issues. Loosing steering when loaded up with wood is a front weight issue, (assuming the wood weight is beyond the rear axle). Loosing steering when plowing is a side load, traction, and weight issue. I use tri-rib tires and weight on the front end when plowing,( weight under engine, and wheel weights). The roller chain idea is supposed to work very good. If you already have turfs, then I'd suggest trying the roller chain. You can take them off when not in winter, and not harm your lawn when you move around wood in your yard the rest of the year. 

[gomer gump 8]

dodgemike is correct ,im also a retired hvy equip operator an disabled vet . I ran just about every piece of equip there is from 82-30 dozers to 72-31 loaders you name it , they will all skid when pushed to the limit . gold rush on cable tv they slide all over the place with d9l cats massive hvy equip . it,s all in the hands of the operator , to me wheel horses seem to work best mowing grass in the summer, my rototiller works really well for my garden , snow blowers work great and snow blades as long as you don,t try to overload them ,make a initial cut then do the final cut . in my years of running hvy equip I learned to slow down and make as many cuts as needed ,you,ll slide less an do a better smoother straighter job , patients prevailes . you can add all the wts front an rear and put on tires with special chains or whatever but I guarantee you it will still slide . what ever you can do to help it is fine . I personally wont put pounds of weights on the tractors I have weights just on the wheels and the wheel horse front wt kit ,that's it. too much wt an you,ll be fix n a axle or spindle real soon. my mighty mac chipper shredder works really good, last year built a 3 pt hitch for my 520h works good my loader tractor 520h works good but slides some in sand or dirt ,snow . when I haul wood with my 312 and trailor I load it up hvy and it does slide I just put it in lower gears an go slow usually ok . good new tires will also make a big difference

[rick 257]

+1 !

[shorts 182]

+2