Tire chain question.

[springsyeti]

Picked up a Grand L3560 with a cab this spring and the L4479 front snowblower. The tractor has industrial tires and I will be blowing a dirt driveway that is just over 1/4 min long with some steep parts. I was just at the dealer to get the wonky fuel gauge fixed and asked about chains. They only recommend the rear. Most of what I have seen recommended front and rear. What is the recommendation here? The property is N Central CO with quite a bit of snow and below zero temps. Thank you.

 

[jimh406]

I've used only fronts and fronts and rears. I like having both axles chained up better. I find the steering is a little better. Btw, I just have ladder style chains, but they work well on my setup.

 

[top gnome]

Wolfman had a thread on using studs on the fronts it was a well done interesting thread. https://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/threads/snow-and-ice-studs.12061/#post-445756

I think it may be a good idea for the front tires. I would recommend the euro studded chains on the rears. they seem to have a lot of traction. i have the Trygg studded chains.

 

[mikester]

I studded all 4 tires and am happy to leave my chains hanging on the wall.

 

[Skidude108]

I studded all 4 tires and am happy to leave my chains hanging on the wall.

Do you leave the studs in all summer too? Are there any down-sides? I haven't had my tractor through a winter yet but I assume I will need more traction for snow blowing than my R4s will provide without chains or studs.

 

[WoodKutter]

I think it depends on your conditions. Studs sound interesting and I may try them. In extreme conditions I can't see them replacing chains. On my plow truck my studded snows stay chained up front and rear all winter.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Mine are studded all the time.
They work great all winter.
I don't have hard or solid surfaces, we have all sand.

 

[mikester]

Do you leave the studs in all summer too? Are there any down-sides? I haven't had my tractor through a winter yet but I assume I will need more traction for snow blowing than my R4s will provide without chains or studs.

Yes I left my studs in all year around. I only did a single row down the mid-line of the tread.

The only downside I see so far is that studded tires leave rosette marks on your concrete/asphalt/pavers if you do a lot of turning on the spot. I am a happy camper with them so far.

 

[Tropical Jack]

I live in the mountains in western North Carolina. I don’t use a blower because my driveway and community roads are gravel. I use a blade on the 3 pt with a 2x8 board bolted on and extending 2’ past the blade. This keeps me from having to get too close to the edge (ditches or steep banks), and minimizes pushing the gravel off.

I have used chains on the front and chains on all 4 wheels. If I could only put chains on 1 axle, I would chain the front. Increased traction and most important for me - better steering control.

Jack

 

[BAP]

Picked up a Grand L3560 with a cab this spring and the L4479 front snowblower. The tractor has industrial tires and I will be blowing a dirt driveway that is just over 1/4 min long with some steep parts. I was just at the dealer to get the wonky fuel gauge fixed and asked about chains. They only recommend the rear. Most of what I have seen recommended front and rear. What is the recommendation here? The property is N Central CO with quite a bit of snow and below zero temps. Thank you.

The reason they recommended rear chains is that most manufacturers don’t recommend front chains because of the fear they will damage the front axle internal components. Most people recommend using rears or front and rear combined but not front only. I run chains on all 4 wheels on my tractor to help steering along with the necessary traction.

 

[mikester]

Try the studs, they are relatively cheap and you can always chain up later. If traction is critical I'd get the euro style chains with cleats and put them on all four tires.

 

[woodman55]

I chain up all four. Not only do you get more traction, the front chains keep the front/rear ratio matched up better.

 

[RCW]

I have front chains, but so far have only used rears. With care, I don’t see an issue chaining all 4.

Just need to pay attention.

 

[Vlach7]

If you only chain the rear use your brakes separated to assist with turning.