L3940 gets stuck in snow

[poe34]

Hi guys, my 80+ Dad tried to use his Kubota to clear some snow after his plow truck got stuck in the driveway. The Kubota would not climb up an icy hill and got easily stuck in the deep snow (almost 3 feet overnight). I purchased him a second set of tires to have as backups, the rears are filled with washer fluid, would these help him gain traction? I see there are also wheel weights available, is this something he should look at? We always used an old Ford 8N with tire chains and never had an issue getting stuck! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[RCW]

My first choice would be to chain up the Kubota. More so in 3 feet of snow.

Loaded tires would be good, but even a heavy implement on the 3 point hitch could help too.

Changing loaded tires can be very dangerous.

 

[Roadworthy]

Go with the RCW recommendation and chain it up. If that worked well with the old Ford that should be a clue it's a good system.

 

[lugbolt]

Move.
Problem solved.

3 FEET!? You can have all of it you want.....I hate it!

 

[kubotasam]

During the winter I keep chains on all four tires on one of my tractors for situations just like the one you are describing. I have the luxury of more than one tractor. My regular snow removal tractor with front snow blower does not have chains. I also have a 4x4 pickup with a plow. Seems like once or twice a winter a big "stuck" happens and I need the tractor with chains to remedy the situation.
I defiantly would put chains on the tractor.

 

[poe34]

How effective do you think it would be if we just chained up the front tires? And thank you all for the responses, they are greatly appreciated!

 

[jimh406]

Chaining the front helps, but not as much as all 4. I ran chains on the front only last year. The problem is the rear will still slide. My neighbor only uses front chains. Front chains are a also a lot cheaper since the tires are smaller.

 

[RCW]

How effective do you think it would be if we just chained up the front tires? And thank you all for the responses, they are greatly appreciated!

Chaining the front helps, but not as much as all 4. I ran chains on the front only last year. The problem is the rear will still slide. My neighbor only uses front chains. Front chains are a also a lot cheaper since the tires are smaller.

I'd start with the back tires, as they are. Don't change to a loaded tire yet.

He's dealt with just rear chains on the Ford 8N for years. He knows that scenario on a 2WD tractor.

Try one step at a time.

The issue with chaining the fronts for your 80+ year old Dad is that he needs to be aware of using 4WD while traction is "too" good. It can/could damage the front-drive system.

Like Jim says, add the fronts if your Dad needs them after that. You need to think about his safety.

Lot of guys chain all 4 and it works for them. I have chains for my fronts too. Just haven't put them on. Wished I had them yesterday.....

 

[poe34]

Thank you all. Dad just wanted to try the front because it will be difficult for him to get the heavy chains on and off the rear by himself. He will just need to wait for me or my brother to help him get the rear tire chains on. I found quite a few on "tirechainsrus" online. I was not able to find any for sale locally. Last question, does anyone have any advice on the best place to purchase? Thanks again for the assistance!!!

 

[mikester]

Move.
Problem solved.

3 FEET!? You can have all of it you want.....I hate it!

The problem is where to move to?

 

[Biker1mike]

Sounds like chains are a must.
Three feet of snow is a lot of weight. My tractor is the runt of the liter so moving deep snow can be interesting.
It helps to angle the blade to the max and lift it up. Move a couple feet then back up and drop the blade and plow the same couple of feet. Takes forever to get a clear path.

 

[BAP]

This is a good place to buy chains from unless you can find someplace locally so you don’t have to pay shipping. Rear chains are more work to put on, but will give you the most benefit.

Tire Chains-Best Snow Chains-TireChains.com

Buy tire chains direct from TireChain.com for the widest selection, free shipping, best quality, and prices. Enhance your traction today!

tirechain.com

 

[SRRGC1]

Probably get alot grief from this post but here goes. Chain up the rears if you have ample clearance. R-1 or R14 all around, loaded rears w/rimguard. Ballast box heavy weight or heavy implement on rear. Careful chaining up front due to clearance and possible front axle damage. Understand reason for only chaining up fronts but probably not gonna gain much advantage with this. FEL or dozer on tractor? If FEL, move snow as you go. If blade, don't get in too deep. Have a backup plan.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Couple alternatives to chains:
Studded tires, they work the best on ice, but are not much help in snow.
Siped R14 tires or Heavily siped R4's will help too.

 

[NCL4701]

The problem is where to move to?

Seems like the entire population of the world is moving to North Carolina. Lived here my whole life. Not complaining but don’t fully understand the attraction.

 

[lugbolt]

Seems like the entire population of the world is moving to North Carolina. Lived here my whole life. Not complaining but don’t fully understand the attraction.

I'm about a thousand miles west of you. Iv'e got folks asking me on another forum if it's a good place to move to, from California. I usually respond with this:

Once you get past the 4 MONTHS of Tropical humidity + desert heat, then 4 tornado seasons, then you get into fall which is nice air temp but rains about every 2 days if you're lucky (sometimes daily), temps swing from 100+ and 80% humidity in early Sept, to 70 deg and 90% humidity in Oct, then it's just cold, pissy, and generally just nasty until about April. There are tornadoes often in October and November, Dec is usually ok just wet. Last week of Jan and into the first 2 weeks of Feb is usually winter style weather (cold, wet, snowy, icy, sleety, etc) and one day might be 75 degrees and beautifully sunny, 2 hours later it's sleeting with thunder and lightning. Great spring's coming. Tornado seasons #2, 3, and 4 with April/May being #4, rains 2-4 days a week, windy, temps swing from 45 to 85 in hours time. Yeah it's great here. Once April hits and the leafs start populating the trees, then the critters come out. Spiders, snakes (4 venomous species and they are quite commonly found....with one of them being aggressive and generally mad at humans-they'll chase you down), bears, mountain lions, coyotes, I mean the world like, comes to life again in April even in the city. In may it gets hot again and from May through September you will PRAY for a cool front and lower humidity. it's awesome here once you get past that stuff. Oh forgot, we get an earthquake every now and again too. Had a 3.7 the other night. I didn't even wake up but a 4.5+ will get your attention.

Then, after I tell them all that I'll send 'em a map so they know how to get here.

 

[NCL4701]

I'm about a thousand miles west of you. Iv'e got folks asking me on another forum if it's a good place to move to, from California. I usually respond with this:

Once you get past the 4 MONTHS of Tropical humidity + desert heat, then 4 tornado seasons, then you get into fall which is nice air temp but rains about every 2 days if you're lucky (sometimes daily), temps swing from 100+ and 80% humidity in early Sept, to 70 deg and 90% humidity in Oct, then it's just cold, pissy, and generally just nasty until about April. There are tornadoes often in October and November, Dec is usually ok just wet. Last week of Jan and into the first 2 weeks of Feb is usually winter style weather (cold, wet, snowy, icy, sleety, etc) and one day might be 75 degrees and beautifully sunny, 2 hours later it's sleeting with thunder and lightning. Great spring's coming. Tornado seasons #2, 3, and 4 with April/May being #4, rains 2-4 days a week, windy, temps swing from 45 to 85 in hours time. Yeah it's great here. Once April hits and the leafs start populating the trees, then the critters come out. Spiders, snakes (4 venomous species and they are quite commonly found....with one of them being aggressive and generally mad at humans-they'll chase you down), bears, mountain lions, coyotes, I mean the world like, comes to life again in April even in the city. In may it gets hot again and from May through September you will PRAY for a cool front and lower humidity. it's awesome here once you get past that stuff. Oh forgot, we get an earthquake every now and again too. Had a 3.7 the other night. I didn't even wake up but a 4.5+ will get your attention.

Then, after I tell them all that I'll send 'em a map so they know how to get here.

I like the map (and yeah I got the joke). Our weather here is similar except add hurricanes in the fall.

Had a friend from the Northern California that was moving here for work. Said they’d heard our summers could be a bit trying but didn’t see how it could be hotter than the where they were being similar latitude. Told them it probably isn’t, it’s more the humidity prevents sweat from condensing so when you sweat it just gets you wet but doesn’t cool you at all so it feels hotter. They didn’t understand so I told them to run a wash cycle in their dishwasher, open the door when it’s done, and stick their head inside. That’s our summer.

I think that’s why the mass migration didn’t start until residential and industrial air conditioning (which I didn’t have until my 20’s) became ubiquitous.

 

[bbxlr8]

In 2016, we were in the bullseye with 36" officially at the airport and about 48" on my side of the ridge (BEFORE DRIFTING) from that crazy storm that followed a line up the Appalachian mountains here into PA. I can say with certainty that while I got myself plowed out with my lightweight Jeep, I KNOW why they require chains over those Sierra Nevada passes. I wished I had a loader to clean up the aftermath as I did the min to get out. Took over 6 weeks to melt down that year.

FWIW There are three main online tire chain sites including the one above should you goggle it. Good info on all of them and check the reviews, compare the costs and timing if you need them right away. The main things are the design, material & fastening system which is combined with the intended application.
You probably knew all of that but there is some interesting stuff available now compare to "back in the day" chains

 

[lugbolt]

I like the map (and yeah I got the joke). Our weather here is similar except add hurricanes in the fall.

Had a friend from the Northern California that was moving here for work. Said they’d heard our summers could be a bit trying but didn’t see how it could be hotter than the where they were being similar latitude. Told them it probably isn’t, it’s more the humidity prevents sweat from condensing so when you sweat it just gets you wet but doesn’t cool you at all so it feels hotter. They didn’t understand so I told them to run a wash cycle in their dishwasher, open the door when it’s done, and stick their head inside. That’s our summer.

I think that’s why the mass migration didn’t start until residential and industrial air conditioning (which I didn’t have until my 20’s) became ubiquitous.

they're migrating out here now from California. Every one of them says mostly the same thing. Escaping communism, socialism, liberalism, and looking for a lower cost of living. Neighbor guy moved from somewhere near San Jose (dont remember the town name). Mind you, he's my closest neighbor, and about 1/4 mile from me, and his next closest neighbor is over a mile (as the crow flies). So he gets here, buys that house and the first order of business....turn the back yard into a makeshift beach. In ground pool, with sand all around it. Tried to plant a palm tree but that didn't work either. I met him a few months after they moved in after they got working on the "beach'. He asked if there was any bears. Told him sometimes I see a mom and cubs, but at this point I think your biggest worry would be the cottonmouths. he's like "HUH??" Never heard of a cottonmouth so I had to splain it. Big dark colored snake, gets up to about 4 1/2 foot long, large body like a python, and they get generally mad at humans and will chase you down. When you get too close they'll open their mouth up wide and hiss at you, their mouth is bright white kinda with a little pink, with two great big teeth that have enough venom to kill a a cow. They like to live near the water and commonly climb shrubs and trees to bask in the sun over or near the water so that they can jump in when they feel like it. Dude asked if I'd been chased in the past, to which I answered YUP, in the boat, and on land both. They are aggressive, and they seem to just show up outta nowhere. I been in the boat and had 'em fall out of a tree into the boat, and I been on the bank and they've just appear from nowhere, sneaky things.

within a week he had every bush and small tree cut down anywhere near his "beach".

I wonder, if I tell him about the alligator population, if he'll up and move back to mexifornia?