Tire choice for snow removal

[chief36chevy]

I have a BX2360 with a FEL. I have lawn tires on it now but the last snow that we had in south central PA is terrible this week. I need to know what tires would recommended for this weather. I was thinking R4 treads.
Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[OntheRidge]

R4s are terrible in snow, I have heard R14s are much better.

 

[pokey1416]

Agree with @OntheRidge however, I did groove my R4's along with several others on this site and it did help.

 

[Sidekick]

I used to just put chains on the rear of my BX and it was fine with turf tires. Also some added weight helps. New machine has loaded R14s and they are awesome in most snow but it's almost 5000 pounds.

 

[85Hokie]

I have a BX2360 with a FEL. I have lawn tires on it now but the last snow that we had in south central PA is terrible this week. I need to know what tires would recommended for this weather. I was thinking R4 treads.
Does anyone have any suggestions?

Rather than switch to another tire - get some spacers and chains. Both will help and be very cost effective!

 

[je1279]

Love my R14's when plowing snow.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Just get chains you don't get more grass than you do snow.

 

[DustyRusty]

I have about 600 pounds in a weight bucket and snow blow without chains and don't have any problem unless it is very wet snow and I try pushing it with the plow. Been doing it this way for almost a couple of decades first with a BX22 and now with a BX23S

 

[Mitjam]

I have a BX2360 with a FEL. I have lawn tires on it now but the last snow that we had in south central PA is terrible this week. I need to know what tires would recommended for this weather. I was thinking R4 treads.
Does anyone have any suggestions?

I have had a bunch of sub compact and compact sized tractors, and for and all around tire the r14 have been so good. I mean in deep snow, mud and ice,chains are your best friend. I wouldn’t buy a new smaller tractor without r14 that my opinion.

 

[jimh406]

Turf tires are supposedly the best in snow.

I'd also just get a set of chains. Those are some pretty small tires, so installing chains should be pretty easy.

R4s are bad in snow. However, R14s aren't as tough as R4s, so you always have to tradeoff something. For my uses, R4s and chains for winter makes more sense.

 

[je1279]

I have about 600 pounds in a weight bucket and snow blow without chains and don't have any problem unless it is very wet snow and I try pushing it with the plow. Been doing it this way for almost a couple of decades first with a BX22 and now with a BX23S

Weight in the rear is definitely your friend. I'd estimate my ballast box at ~700lbs between the large rocks and sand fill. With ~3" of snow, I'm fine without it, but with 6" or more, (especially with the heavy wet stuff) it makes a huge difference.

 

[DustyRusty]

Weight in the rear is definitely your friend. I'd estimate my ballast box at ~700lbs between the large rocks and sand fill. With ~3" of snow, I'm fine without it, but with 6" or more, (especially with the heavy wet stuff) it makes a huge difference.

I don't think that you can count the 3" of snow.

As a rule of thumb, snow weighs approximately 20 pounds per cubic foot, or 1.25 pounds per inch of depth. Depending on moisture content, snow can weigh from 1 pound per cubic foot to over 21 pounds per cubic foot.

 

[je1279]

I don't think that you can count the 3" of snow.

Valid point. I definitely consider the consistency in my decision of whether to add the ballast box or not.

 

[Vince1230]

I live in Central Pa too. We got 7 inch last storm, i have turf tires and had no real issues. If i do loose tractor it is typicaaly due to plow catching something or digging. Float or lift plow slightly and i am good. I do have to use a ballast from time to time.

 

[L35]

How about some tractor snow tires?

Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta TRI / Nokian Tyres

www.nokiantyres.com

 

[airbiscuit]

I've had
R1s (Ag) - The best traction in snow
R3s (Turf) - Better than I would have thought
R4s (Industrial) - Racing Slicks

If I was buying a new tractor, I would get R14s

 

[whatsupdoc]

I really dont have enough time on my R14 and snow to make any
claims but they appear to work OK in 6-7 inches of snow for plowing and
moving material.

My property is near the top of a mountain so its either uphill or downhill. Moving material uphill the R14 tires did fine but plowing uphill was problematic, not unexpected.

I think for deeper snow you are better with a snow blower that will remove the snow in the path of the tractor.

 

[N3BP]

Hey Chief, I'm practically your neighbor (in Cornwall). I snowblowed the 8'' from last week on my machine with Turf's and I didn't have any issues. The worst part was the wind blowing the 10 degree snow back on my face. I looked like the abominable snowman till I was done. The turfs I run are the Carlise Multi-Trac

When I use the backblade, I run the machine that has AG tires on it. They are the best tread for snow but will destroy the grass in summer....

 

[Bearcatrp]

Don’t have much issues with R4’s in snow. Sure they slip a bit. What tire doesn’t. Plan on sipping in the summer.

 

[L35]

How about some tractor snow tires?

Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta TRI / Nokian Tyres

www.nokiantyres.com

Man I was kinda serious here, I’m coming due for tires due to age and I wonder if there is any real experience with these guys.