Tires rims and tires for a175

[wheelwhores 107]

This topic has probably been done to death over the years on this form but I am very new and looking for some guidance from some of the sages.  I just bought my first wheel horse a c-175 currently it has wdw ag tires with wheel weights on the back and some pretty well-worn turf tires on the front.  I'm looking to get the tractor set up with two wheel setups...one summer and one winter.  Looking for recommendations on tread types, sizes brands, chains, etc for both traction and steering. what I've read so far is that rubber chains or ag tires in the back are great for plowing and single bar tires in the front are great for steering in snow.  The turf tires I have on in front now don't do a damn thing for steering in snow.  All opinions welcome

[ebinmaine 68,675]

What type of surface are you going to be plowing? That's a huge consideration right off the bat.

 

 

[12Horse Paladin 1,038]

I wont pretend to be an expert. But my little experience, coupled with my Dad's---who has yrs in plowing with WHs---tells me to keep it simple. Turfs, with chains in the rear. Yes, budget concerns influence me too. There are better tire choices---maybe, but that can be subjective---these do all i need/expect.I havent tried the rubber chains yet, either, but plan to. As to steering,  find some front wheel weights if you think it necessary. Ive also seen bicycle chain wrapped around the center, that others swear by...id like to try that as well.

Keep in mind---weight is king, for getting power to the wheels. You can have all the power in the world; if youre slipping, it means nothing.

The biggest WH my Dad owns is 12HP...and no i dont have pics (wish i did)---but ive seen 7ft high piles, several feet across (with said tractor setting on top)---he made over the course of a winter in our yard clearing snow with one.

I guess what im saying is dont overthink it. Dont use the plow like a ram. Once youre spinning...and you will sooner or later, i dont care how complete or 'hot' your setup is---stop, backup n find a different approach.

So many people dont realize how much power these WHs have (you CANNOT compare their HP rating to the new stuff, it is NOT compareable!), and how little you actually NEED to move snow well...

Having said all that...im assuming it is what is known as a Blackhood; your c175 is prettymuch my dream WH; id love to own it; use it just as you are planning to😊 

Some pics would be nice😊

PS...here is a pic of my (currently) project WH, with aforementioned wheel weights i just recently was lucky enough to score. Bought them for just the situation you mention above.

 

 

[wheelwhores 107]

Here she is, not a great photo but it's all i have right now.  Agreed on power vs traction, never felt wanting for power with it yet, but it feels like it breaks lose front and back a good bit.  I might run to TSC, Fleet Farm or the like to get some chains as a first step.   Then going to look for a method to add a suitcase weight setup on the back and maybe in the front too

 

[ebinmaine 68,675]

What you need for traction it's going to vary depending on what you have for surface.

if all of your work is on asphalt that you want to keep in decent shape you should get some rubber chains.

Otherwise, 2 link type metal chains are the answer.

 

I would recommend fluid filled tires to anyone. I also recommend as much weight as possible. Irregardless of surface.

 

8 or even less horsepower is plenty to plow with.

Traction is all about down pressure in pounds per square inch plus creating friction.

 

[12Horse Paladin 1,038]

2 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

What you need for traction it's going to vary depending on what you have for surface.

 

 

I would recommend fluid filled tires to anyone. I also recommend as much weight as possible. Irregardless of surface.

 

8 or even less horsepower is plenty to plow with.

 

 

ALL of this.

The only teason i dont want to use fluid in my tires is that ive seen what that can do to the rims over time. 

Other than that im sure it does work great.

I admit to not knowing anything much more about it though; maybe there is new stuff that doesnt rust out the rims...? 

But i will say that i do not know; im sure others here do....

[ebinmaine 68,675]

4 minutes ago, 12Horse Paladin said:

ALL of this.

The only teason i dont want to use fluid in my tires is that ive seen what that can do to the rims over time. 

Other than that im sure it does work great.

I admit to not knowing anything much more about it though; maybe there is new stuff that doesnt rust out the rims...? 

But i will say that i do not know; im sure others here do....

The stuff that rust out the rims is calcium chloride. There are several other ways you can go. My favorite is a product called Rimguard which is a derivative of beet juice and uses sugar to increase the density and weight of the water.

 

[Gas Man 19]

I've got Ag tires on my C175 and they work very well.  I'll bet that chains would work at least as well, maybe better, but the Ag tires look cool!!

I just got this tractor running 2 days before we got 10 Inches of wet snow!!  It went pretty well, but we don't get that much snow at a time very often.

[wheelwhores 107]

Love the black hoods!

[wheelwhores 107]

We are on so older asphalt for our driveway material.  I've heard good things about the rubber chains and will probably try those next season.  If I have time I'm hoping to get a bracket for weights fabricated sooner than later....ideal before winter is over