Best tires for snow.

[Joe 77 B100 84]

I have a B100 with a snowblower on the front and I plan to use it only to throw snow in the winter.  It currently has turf tires with chains which, on the first tests, didn't work out great in somewhat deep snow.

Will I be much happier with lug tires?  I think that is what they call them.  Or bar tires?  The ones that look like tractor tires.  And, I guess if they put them on tractors to get through mud then I guess I'll be happier with them than I am with turf and chains.

Thanks for your insight.    And, if you have experience, suggest a vendor or website I should order from.

[Maxwell-8 4,277]

I am not an expert since we barely have snow here. You mean AG's. yup I use them, those in addition to chains are probably the best you can do. The use of wheel weight will help as well.

 

A tip from the members here is using a roller chain on the front tires for added front traction.

Do we have a separate topic of that?

Edited January 17, 2022 by Maxwell-8

[TJ5208 1,824]

@Joe 77 B100 @Achto has more experience with this subject 

Edited January 17, 2022 by TJ Salyers

[TJ5208 1,824]

Weight will help alout. also play with the tire pressure find what works best.

[Achto 27,601]

51 minutes ago, Joe 77 B100 said:

It currently has turf tires with chains

 

Turf tire with chains is usually a good combo. If you decide to put ag tires on the back then you will want cross linked chains. Other wise the chains tend to fall down between the lugs. I have Carlisle X-trac snow blower tires on the front of my snow clearing tractor. They give good bite for steering. I run turf tires with chains on the rear.

Edited January 17, 2022 by Achto

[pfrederi 17,741]

Turfs chains and weights.  As achto said if you use AGs you need special chains that won't get down between the lugs like the ones in the picture I use on my big tractor.  .  AGs with out chains have a big issue in reverse they are directional tires and have little traction in reverse. this is especial bad if you have raised your blower and try to back up as the weight is transferred to the front.

 

 

 

[Joe 77 B100 84]

Do I need to get special wheel weights for a wheelhorse or are wheel weights fairly generic and one-fits-all hubs?  Anyone have  good source?

[TJ5208 1,824]

Any 12 inch wheel weights will work also fluid in the tires are what most of us do.

[TJ5208 1,824]

@Joe 77 B100 theres some for sale in the classifieds go to wheel horse for sell scroll down a bit and its there 

Edited January 17, 2022 by TJ Salyers

[Joe 77 B100 84]

4 minutes ago, TJ Salyers said:

@Joe 77 B100 theres some for sale in the classifieds go to wheel horse for sell scroll down a bit and its there 

Never been there before.  I will check it out.  Thanks.

[Joe 77 B100 84]

Ok.  After a bit of research.  If I'm 200 pounds, will another 60lbs on each wheel really matter in terms of traction?  I see them in 60# and 100#.  And, WHEW, they can be pricey. 

[roadapples 6,983]

Turf tires and chains. You've already got the best set up. You just need weight. At least a 100lbs. 200 won't hurt...

[TJ5208 1,824]

Yes it does make a difference Wheel Horse did a test I'll have to find it

Edited January 17, 2022 by TJ Salyers

[ebinmaine 67,592]

15 minutes ago, Joe 77 B100 said:

Ok.  After a bit of research.  If I'm 200 pounds, will another 60lbs on each wheel really matter in terms of traction?  I see them in 60# and 100#.  And, WHEW, they can be pricey. 

 

The turfs and chains you have are the best overall choice for snow and ice. 

 

AG tires are fine but as stated above they need special chains. 

 

I'll put in another vote for WEIGHT. 

TRACTION is all about a lack of friction which is produced by a garden tractor with lots of WEIGHT. 

 

I have a 77 C160 Automatic that's my plow rig. 

All 4 tires are oversized and fluid filled. 

I have over 250 lbs of fluid weight ALONE.  

I also have another 110 lbs of steel weight at the back rims. 

 

Adding everything all up including my "not small" me it's well in excess of 1400 lbs.  

 

You can also hang some weight off the trailer hitch.  

You could potentially invest the money you'd have spent on weights to but a trailer hitch that's more heavy duty. 

Use that as a hanger for as much as 200 lbs of whatever. 

 

 

For fluid filling contact Rimguard Corp and see if they have a vendor near you.  

 

Fluid filling can be DIY as well. 

Lots of info on the internet.  

 

 

[Snoopy11 5,714]

IF WE EVER GET SOME SNOW... I am going to try my SUNF tires in the snow to see how they do. The SUNF bear claw tread tires are supposedly excellent for snow. We shall see...

 

I do know that when I went up to a tree with this tractor (K61), and pushed the throttle, both tires spun. I don't know what exactly that means... LS rear... ...but I say all that because that is the tractor that the SUNF tires are on.

 

I will be testing the SUNF tires, no chains, no weight 'cept for my big behind. I will probably post my review of them here on the Square.

 

Don

[Snoopy11 5,714]

I should add, the SUNF tires are more ATV style tires, thus why I decided to use them. I have no previous experience with them. All I want to see is... if I get stuck in the snow. If I do... then I will have to break out HellHorse and do some yanking with my AG's and snow chains...

 

I am literally begging for snow... I HAVE TESTS TO PERFORM!!!

 

Don

[Joe 77 B100 84]

I'll do an internet search on fluid filled tires and see what I come up with.  Thanks.

[Snoopy11 5,714]

1 minute ago, Joe 77 B100 said:

I'll do an internet search on fluid filled tires and see what I come up with.  Thanks.

There is some information here on the Square about it... just search it in the search box (top right) of website.

 

Don

[Ed Kennell 38,209]

3 hours ago, roadapples said:

Turf tires and chains. You've already got the best set up. You just need weight. At least a 100lbs. 200 won't hurt...

 

                                                                         

 

                                  Yep turf tires and 2 link Vee Bar chains if you aren't concerned with a few marks in the blacktop.    Then add weight  ...filled tires, wheel weights, and rear weight.

 

[Pullstart 62,905]

As @Ed Kennell mentioned, 2 link chains are better than 4 link.  This is how often the chains attach to the outer ring.  So, 2 link chains have twice the grip.  I am a huge fan of fluid fill.
 

 This seems to be the most economic way I’ve found with supplies readily available in my shop:

 

 

[ri702bill 8,327]

Exactly as @ebinmaine mentioned - added weight in the right place is your friend. Filled all 4 tires and wheel weights on all 4 also. I also have 120 lbs of lead ingots under the seat, in the toolbox, of the 854 - right over the rear axle for added traction. I prefer AG tires on the front to give better steering in the snow.

Bill

Edited January 18, 2022 by ri702bill

[ebinmaine 67,592]

41 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

under the seat, in the toolbox, ..... - right over the rear axle for added traction

 

I don't use the toolbox as a toolbox so that's a good suggestion I'll have to try to remember. 

[TJ5208 1,824]

Here's the test

[ebinmaine 67,592]

2 minutes ago, TJ Salyers said:

test

Excellent post!

 

I've never seen that.

 

Note how a tire with less air pressure pulls further. Because it's more flexible and has better grip.

 

My fluid filled rear tires actually have zero air pressure....

[lynnmor 7,307]

There is a downside to adding weight, you have more weight to carry up a hill and more weight to stop going down.  You need to make a judgement on your particular situation.  Ever see suitcase weights on a hill climb motorcycle?