18 x 8.50-8 3 rib tires

[DennisThornton 4,769]

12 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

  Has anyone mounted roller chain on an AG tire??? Would like to see a picture and hear how it works ,

I ordered ags for the front but now that I've got these roller chains to stay put on my dry rotted turfs at 40 psi I'm in no hurry to mount the new ags.  I looked hard are the ag tread pattern and see no reason why the rollers wouldn't stay put but if they didn't my plan was to grind a shallow retaining groove to impress the rollers.  Roller are AWESOME where I need them now.  Maybe the ags would be better in deep snow where the rollers can get a grip on hard packed snow or ground.

[WVHillbilly520H 10,374]

I think what most everybody wants from "reversing" front AGs is the lateral traction aid as to not "ski" forward as you are turning against an angled blade full of snow or against the windrow of said snow, @oldman if I am following you correctly you want to be able to "float" on the surface instead of your tires falling/digging through said snow causing you more steering effort? If I am wrong in my conclusions here I am sorry for leading you astray, now in my experiences with the AG tire you pictured above (OTR brand) which I do have on all 4 corners of both my 520Hs I have not needed (or wanted) to reverse the direction for added lateral traction (520s are notoriously light in the front) and having these tires (un weighted) I have found they are 100% better than unaided turf tires for steering over slick or uneven surfaces, if you notice the squared off side shoulder ends on the bars and the over lapping center 90° centers is where this particular tire shines of competive/standard AG design, but compared to your 18Auto the 520 has the gear reduction steering so my experience may differ greatly from yours or others. I also have 2 SCUT 4x4 tractors with R4 industrial tires even with the front axle engaged without use of the "steering" brakes (and chains) those tires are basically useless driving/steering through unplowed snow or sloppy mud.

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,195]

The Hartford Tire-3 rib, that’s the most expensive route but the advantage is two fold.

Mobility & Turning.

I am liking the ags on your 520. 
I only ever run ags in the front on a 1277 with Snow blower, however really thinking on a set over the 3 rib.

Edited February 21, 2021 by oldman

[DennisThornton 4,769]

8 minutes ago, oldman said:

The Hartford Tire-3 rib, that’s the most expensive route but the advantage is two fold.

Mobility & Turning.

I am liking the ags on your 520. 
I only ever run ags in the front on a 1277 with Snow blower, however really thinking on a set over the 3 rib.

I have a set of tri-ribs waiting for a ride.  Word on this site as I searched was they were NOT good on ice at all, which to me means not good on thin packed snow either.  Good in dirt is what I gathered.  Perhaps deep to a point snow but of course they have no floatation! 

 

I can tell you first hand and several others can as well, I just can't see ANY tire outperforming roller chains!  I might end up putting roller chain on my ordered ags but I think the new tires are just going to set around for awhile now.  Roller chains on turfs are unbelievably great!  Can't tell you what a difference they made!  Like getting a new tractor good!

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,195]

So, simply set a single strand of roller chain, (proper length) on center, then inflate and go?

Perhaps changeover to ags, then if need be, add roller chain. Keeping in mind the cleat centers and squared ends.

Too many options! Roller chain over the turfs first, as they are on already!

 

Edited February 21, 2021 by oldman

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,195]

On 2/20/2021 at 11:51 AM, WVHillbilly520H said:

Wouldn't these be a better fit?  https://www.millertire.com/16x6-50-8-firestone-3-rib-front-tractor-tire-4-ply/

Those are the Hartford’s. Now it’s been stated these would be good in the dirt, not so much Snow & Ice.

Wondering what size roller chain?

There was a post with pictures but now it’s gone.

Edited February 21, 2021 by oldman

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,195]

Really, now I'm more confused than before! I have a problem with the front sinking into the snow and mud then plowing down and stopping, stuck. How would roller chains prevent the sinking? I can see the 3 rib sliding, agreed. Then there's the ag. I know I have read posts on here and still no strait answer. Is there anyone had first hand experience with a D-Series off the pavement? I know there's a few on here and I keep seeing roller chain but don't get how they prevent the front from sinking?

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,195]

Thanks for all the answers everyone, but this is not getting me anywhere fast. Perhaps just keep the 18 Auto on the pavement is good for now. I can see hundreds of dollars just burning up already.......

Edited February 21, 2021 by oldman

[WVHillbilly520H 10,374]

16 minutes ago, oldman said:

Really, now I'm more confused than before! I have a problem with the front sinking into the snow and mud then plowing down and stopping, stuck. How would roller chains prevent the sinking? I can see the 3 rib sliding, agreed. Then there's the ag. I know I have read posts on here and still no strait answer. Is there anyone had first hand experience with a D-Series off the pavement? I know there's a few on here and I keep seeing roller chain but don't get how they prevent the front from sinking?

Now we are getting the root of your original question, you want "Flotation" not really "Lateral" traction, so you basically answering your own question, Tri-Ribs and AGs really aren't your saving grace here, it is the larger size tires and less PSI air pressure, like said earlier on. Roller will NOT help your situation. I don't know how we got on that subject to prevent sinking.

Edited February 21, 2021 by WVHillbilly520H

[DennisThornton 4,769]

I think most of my searching had snow plowing in mind with the fronts not having to deal with deep snow.  If running through the woods in a fresh 12" while hauling logs or a wagon loaded with firewood is the goal then might have to regroup.  Then I suppose the V60 or tri-ribs, or perhaps ags are more functional.  I'm not sure how deep snow my Wheel Horses will tackle but I lose confidence over 6" and hop on my compact 4wd.

 

But getting a grip behind a blade is roller chain territory!  And plain old turfs work fine!

[BPEisenhower 535]

Tire width is easily explained like this, take one hand and turn it palm up. Use the other hand and use your index finger and push it into the palm of the upturned hand. Now make a fist and push into the palm. Which one has more pressure...  That's the way it was explained to me years ago 😁

[ebinmaine 67,946]

29 minutes ago, oldman said:

I have a problem with the front sinking into the snow and mud then plowing down and stopping, stuck

 

I was assuming (I know, bad me) you meant snow like after a blade had been over it. 

 

How deep of snow?

 

Also, how deep of mud?

 

 

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,195]

I get the floatation aspect of this inquiry and the traction too, but can’t have both with this application.

As far as going through the woods on a logging road, in Snow-(not gonna happen on my 18 Auto no matter what is on the front!)

The 312-8, 1045 all day long, not this 18 Auto.

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,195]

2 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

I was assuming (I know, bad me) you meant snow like after a blade had been over it. 

 

How deep of snow?

 

Also, how deep of mud?

 

 

Average Snow here is only 10”. Mud under said snow, off the pavement varies with the terrain. 
Let’s say I slipped off my paved driveway into the “yard”, if I can’t back out, just plain stuck! Tow chain and another vehicle to move. It’s a turd in the yard, sorry but true all the same.

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,195]

25 minutes ago, DennisThornton said:

I think most of my searching had snow plowing in mind with the fronts not having to deal with deep snow.  If running through the woods in a fresh 12" while hauling logs or a wagon loaded with firewood is the goal then might have to regroup.  Then I suppose the V60 or tri-ribs, or perhaps ags are more functional.  I'm not sure how deep snow my Wheel Horses will tackle but I lose confidence over 6" and hop on my compact 4wd.

 

But getting a grip behind a blade is roller chain territory!  And plain old turfs work fine!

I like the idea of hopping on the compact! That would be my total solution, but they are more than my truck! So thought maybe some better driving capability would be nice, just better than 3 feet and stuck, especially whenever the blade only raises 4"!

[ebinmaine 67,946]

Ahh...

 

I'd agree with @WVHillbilly520H

 

You need to spread the weight.  

 

 

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,195]

That's the best course of action right now and I do have a bigger pair.

[pfrederi 17,788]

This is my D200 with FEL.  Original size fronts (which incidentally are the same size as my L-107 rears.) I use her to load move and spread 2a stone. I do not use her in snow and common sense says keep out of soft ground with her weight and 250 lbs in the bucket you are asking for trouble. But I can drive around on reasonably firm turf no issues except you have to be moving to steer.  What are you trying to accomplish??  Bigger foot print less sinking but it will be harder to steer. You are not going to have a swamp buggy with a D200..stay out of the mud....

 

 

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,195]

Thank you for sharing, that's a wonderful tractor.

I am seeing this remains as a practical, common sense thing, not made for the mud at all.

Let this whole concept evaporate! Leave things be as is and appreciate the pro's of the machine!

May just hold off on changing the front tires, they are really good 6 ply tires.

Edited February 22, 2021 by oldman

[DennisThornton 4,769]

I'm about running on empty but maybe I found 2 more cents.

 

At some point one has to decide if they want to push the snow down to where it's not soft anymore or ride on top.  And that depends...

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,195]

Still wanting the 4x4 compact, it's stuck in my head!

[DennisThornton 4,769]

15 minutes ago, oldman said:

Still wanting the 4x4 compact, it's stuck in my head!

That's not a bad thing, but there is only one cure...  Until then I think the best thing is tall tires!  Or avoidance.  There was a time that I basically hibernated after deep snow and until mid spring and the ground firmed up.

[Horse Newbie 7,106]

2 hours ago, oldman said:

So, simply set a single strand of roller chain, (proper length) on center, then inflate and go?

Perhaps changeover to ags, then if need be, add roller chain. Keeping in mind the cleat centers and squared ends.

Too many options! Roller chain over the turfs first, as they are on already!

 

Never had much trouble with traction on dry concrete...but if I were to ever find myself needing more traction on the front, based on what I've read here, I would do the roller chain on turfs...