leabassett@sbcglobal.net 149 #1 Posted February 14 Well we got about 6" of heavy wet snow today and my 312-8 did well. Only had to back up and go at it a few times. My only problem was trying to steer. Do the small front wheel weights Make much of a difference? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,508 #2 Posted February 14 Weight creates friction. Friction creates traction. Chains also create friction. More weight will be your friend. You could also try wrapping the front tires in roller chain. Personally I think a snowblower tire is very effective for steering. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leabassett@sbcglobal.net 149 #3 Posted February 14 4 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Weight creates friction. Friction creates traction. Chains also create friction. More weight will be your friend. You could also try wrapping the front tires in roller chain. Personally I think a snowblower tire is very effective for steering. So a narrow snowblower tire will steer better? The less snow under the tractor made steering worse believe it or not. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,323 #4 Posted February 14 AG tires, tubed. Filled with WW fluid. AND 25 lb weights. Better, not "perfect" with the plow angled. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,508 #5 Posted February 14 2 minutes ago, leabassett@sbcglobal.net said: So a narrow snowblower tire will steer better? The less snow under the tractor made steering worse believe it or not. Snowblower tires have a VERY aggressive tread specifically made for biting snow. Any rubber on any frozen surface won't be perfect. Softer is better. Chains would be better. Heavier would be better. I run very oversized front tires and a very oversized plow. 20 x 8 x 8 tires. Plain turfs. Fluid filled with 5 gallons of Rimguard in each. 110 lbs fluid weight in the front steers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 17,000 #6 Posted February 14 I went skinnier tires and roller chain. Makes a huge difference. Added weight would help even more but the 520 does well without it 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,178 #7 Posted February 14 Weight makes the difference. Steel chains are best on ice and packed snow . Rubber is best on bare pavement. 3 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leabassett@sbcglobal.net 149 #8 Posted February 14 I have to take a look at my pressure I may have too much in the front. Should I drop it down to 3 or 4 PSI for better traction in the snow? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 17,000 #9 Posted February 14 Air pressure will have a very minimal effect. Chains are better traction in the snow along with more weight. Lots of weight and snowblower tires worked well too. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 7,004 #10 Posted February 14 Weight, chains and skinny tires will be helpful in snow. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blasterdad 2,692 #11 Posted February 14 10 hours ago, 8ntruck said: Weight, chains and skinny tires will be helpful in snow. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,629 #12 Posted February 14 @Blasterdad for me looking right at it , the belt idler pulleys AND THE MOVEABLE FRAME THEY ARE ON . is a critical rusty hang up , have also put on a stiffer pull spring , that frame should be lubricated , so it can follow belt , have re greased those tiny bearings on the idler pulleys , also made up a plastic snow slider gasket for the blower chute base , silicone spray , moves with ease . also how easily does the blower itself move , by hand on the belt drive ? nothing sarcastic , or intended , just went after operational running ease . pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,739 #13 Posted February 14 Narrower tires with roller chain, wheel weights, and hang more weight on the front of the tractor 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leabassett@sbcglobal.net 149 #14 Posted February 14 22 hours ago, Ed Kennell said: Weight makes the difference. Steel chains are best on ice and packed snow . Rubber is best on bare pavement. How much dose that shoebox weigh hanging on the front of your tractor? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C-85 681 #15 Posted February 15 I attempted to solve this by adding lots of front wheel weights, a weight platform that's independent of the plow, and changed the turf tires to Sno Hog tires and it's better, but can still slip some. If I had to do this again I would have tried the roller chain trick, that seems like a very good option! C-85 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,508 #16 Posted February 15 6 minutes ago, C-85 said: . If I had to do this again I would have tried the roller chain trick, that seems like a very good option! Roller chains are good. But weight is still the key. At some point I'll be swapping the front of my Automatic tractor to a set of 5 lug trailer hubs. When that happens I'll space the wheels far enough from the spindles to use traditional full wrap chains. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,815 #17 Posted February 15 Wet sloppy concrete stuff is always a problem. A quick uplift on the Hydro you will steer where you want chains weights no matter. This is why a hydro is best for plowing/blowing snow. Kinda of pain but not insurmountable on a lever lift. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
