Go BottomTo chain or to not chain that is the question
 | Oliver
Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 210 Massachusetts 
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2005-12-03 120333
I've used my 7510 with the 6' backblade to plow once this winter and while it worked out okay,the tractor with the R4's is very slippery on hardpack snow. I talked to three people about chains; one said put them on the back,one said put them on the front, and the third said don't use them as they will hurt the tractor. What do you guys think?
The driveway is gravel with a bit of a slope -- enough so that plowing up is a problem.
Thanks!
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| Toolin
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 11 West Michigan
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2005-12-03 120337
Chains on just the rear will make a huge difference. Unless your drive is very, very steep I doubt if you would ever need them on the front as well. Good luck. ....
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| cthonestguy
Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 267 northeast
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2005-12-03 120342
I just came inside from the garage putting mine on my BX2200. I use them on the rear only. You won't hurt anything. These tractors are designed to have stress rom gripping on the rear wheels. The 4x4 you need to avoid putting chains on are lighter duty stuff like a quad/atv. I doubt you will need them up front with the weight of the machine although front chains tend to help a litle with steering. My little BX plows down a very step grade to the out building down in the woods and it makes it back up with just rear chains.
I was the same way- it got by without any and now with them on the rear it's a world of diference. ....
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 | harvey
Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 1550 Moravia, NY 
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2005-12-04 120354
Pushing up hill backwards may require chains on the steer axle or a massive amount of weight on the rear.
My chains are a little big (salvaged) and they do rub the tie rod end. It is not a big deal.
I usually use all four chained up. It just makes life simpler when the heavy wet deep snow falls. I do not spin the tires near as often with just the rears chained. ....
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 | grinder
Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 677 central Maine 
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2005-12-04 120355
Chains on back only is the rule of thumb around here.
the added safety(braking) is worth it.
Maybe add some weight to the front if your having trouble
steering.
Buy a good set of chains, they are a PITA if they come
apart or are always getting loose.
You will only be working on them in a storm.
Good luck. ....
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 | DRankin
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 5116 Northern Nevada 
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2005-12-04 120367
They will not hurt your tractor, and they will help your plowing.
Rear only chains and the usual ballast turns my CUT into a real snow plowing machine.
....
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 | Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
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2005-12-04 120371
If you are are on a all packed snow driveway then the best you could get would be the small truck or like the local towns use on their plow trucks would be best. Turf tires actually work the best on paved driveways that are able to be kept mostly bare. It doesn't matter which axle you choose to put the chains on it very well show some sign of wear from it in time but most often the cost is felt later in the life of the tractor some times only for cosmetics. If the tractor is new and you haven't had the time to adjust everything right try it again. If you can get the job done with a little agrivation then leave it. For some reason you feel the need to change also take the time to reconsider the tools list! You might do better off to change to a blower. ....
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| Oliver
Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 210 Massachusetts
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2005-12-04 120379
All good advise, thank you. I definitely notice the tires spinning and sliding on hard pack snow; I noticed it last year too.
Art, I almost bought a rear blower during the summer but decided against it, mainly because I have not gone through a winter in the house yet and don't want to buy the wrong piece of equipment.
I think I'll look into chains and hope that they will helkp me get through the winter. ....
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| 091755
Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 143 brantwood wisconsin
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2005-12-08 120695
Oliver Dec. 8, 2005
A couple of things to try 'before' chains. Drop your
air pressure in your tires a bit, you will get a better
'bite' on the surface. Also, try adding weight to the
tractor - in the back for sure, but possibly in the front
also. Chains do not 'hurt' a tractor. Dont know where that
came from. I have used them since the mid-60's on an allis
WD-45, with fluid in the tires also. Worked like a charm.
I now use a front end snowblower on an L3430 with a cab, and I put weight on my rear 3pt for balance.
Just alot more comfortable and enjoyable.
doc ....
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| nharrold
Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 3 Azalea OR
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2007-03-06 140254
After the latest 8" snowfall, I found that my B7800 with R4s had absolutely no traction on packed snow. None at all; that stuff was slicker than greased penguin poop. Parked it at the bottom of the hill and left it there until the snow softened enough that the tires could bite through to the dirt/gravel road beneath.
Bought a set of chains from tirechains.com. Rears fit OK, but there was insufficient clearance between the inside sidewall of the front tires and the tie rod arms; clearance is only 5/8", while chain links are 3/4". Am now searching for a source for 3/4" wheel spacers to give me that needed clearance. Without chains on those front tires, I have no steering at all on packed snow, split brakes or not, filled tires or not, ballast or not. Which is critical for my survival during power outages, as I have to move my generator cart 600' back and forth between my two electric service entrances, for well pump and residence. ....
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| DRankin
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 5116 Northern Nevada
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2007-03-08 140296
Front wheel drive cars like my wifes Camry have the same clearance problems. The answer there is a set of low profile cable-chains.
Maybe you could find a set that will fit your fronts. ....
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