Snowblower with R4's or Turf Tires?

I am a big fan of R4's, however in the snow they are kind of slick-so if you are planning chains with either tire choice I will vote R4's.

keep in mind your driveway and concrete garage floor when ordering chains, you may need wheel spacers and check with your dealer, some companies say only use chains on the rear tires...


http://tirechain.com/TractorChainmenu.htm


This tool could come in handy when installing chains. http://tirechain.com/tirechain-install-tool.htm

Bob,

Are chains mandatory? Prior to our acquisition of a JD 2320, we blew our asphalt driveway with a Simplicity Broadmoor w/42" blower. I needed chains and plenty of weight for the Simplicity and still were plenty of times I spun going up the driveway. With the 2320 (R4's) in 4WD, I never ran into issues not being able to make it up the driveway.

As Kenny stated, the R4's can be slick. I noticed this is true if there isn't enough snow for it to get traction with. In fact, I used our 2320 to blow a path over our grass to get back to the horses. I was careful to keep the blower 2-3 inches above the grass and used our BB (@ 600lbs). As you can see from the pics, the drifts I went through were higher than the blower itself. I was a bit nervous about how the grass would come through in spring but it was fine. Granted I did not have to run over this trail but once a month and in between time, there was time for it to blow in with new snow.

Btw..the pitch of our drive is approx 9 - 10 degrees (or 2:12).

But your post also drives at a long debated question regarding R4's versus turf. Personally I have found the R4's to be good fit for my applications. Regardless which style you choose, I would hold off on getting the chains until you have had a chance to try the 1026r with 4WD. As a fellow owner of an asphalt driveway, I know what chains can do to it and/or concrete.

But most of all, congrats on moving forward with the 1026r. Have fun with it and hopefully the wait isn't too long.

We run turfs. Have a set of chains, but have never used them, still in the box they came in. The R4 (in our application) did not clean off worth a hoot. A good set of turfs resemble snow tires. Got a sweet price on the chains when we bought, so that is why we have them.

I also run chains with (R3) turfs.
Older tire tread pattern (1987) Goodyear Turf Savers. They came on the tractor still in good shape.
Got a set of 2 link ladder (not V bar) chains from a JD dealer. They were about $20.oo cheaper than any other option I could find at the time, including shipping.......... Tires are not loaded. Yet...........

Good luck
Wyo

R4s with weight box!

I run the 60" brush on my 2305 in the winter and a lot of mowing in the summer and I personally would not have anything but R4s. Lost in Wisconsin is correct, R4s with 4wd and locking diff. and you can go anywhere with the weight. The only time I have an issue in the winter is ice, and then I think anything will struggle with that, except chains. This is one of the long debated tractor decisions.

Thanks everyone for your responses! This 1026 r will be replacing my 455 and 855 that have been great
tractors. I have used the 455 w/turfs and chains on the driveway with a front blade with limited success.
Sometimes when it is icy it gets challenging.

bob said:

Thanks everyone for your responses! This 1026 r will be replacing my 455 and 855 that have been great
tractors. I have used the 455 w/turfs and chains on the driveway with a front blade with limited success.
Sometimes when it is icy it gets challenging.

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What does the 1026R weigh compared to the tractors you have used for snow??

My 455 is listed at 965 lbs. I have 50 lb, wheel weights plus 240 of weight on the back bracket. The 1026R is listed
around 1450 lbs.

bob said:

I'm in the process of ordering a 1026r. I have have 250 feet of blacktop to snowblow that has some slope.
What have 2305 owners used as tires with snowblowers in similar situations. I will use chains with either
type of tire. I have 3 acres that I will mow and also a quarter acre garden to till.

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Decide what the primary use of your new 1026r will be. Then order it with tires best matching the primary use. So if primary is mowing, go with turf. If primary is dirt work, go with R4s. If you are going with a front mount snowblower add a rear iMatch and ballast box. For your rear chains consider the duo-grip style chains which I found work great for me.

http://www.tirechain.com/duo-grip-detail.htm

dmay---do you use those duo grip style chains on blacktop? Their ad says they beat up pavement.

If your primary is dirt work, go with AG tires. R4's can't cone close to what they have to offer.

bob said:

dmay---do you use those duo grip style chains on blacktop? Their ad says they beat up pavement.

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Personally my driveway is 3/4 down limestone. My garages are poured concrete floor. I leave about an inch of snow on the driveway so not to pick up stones.

When snowblowing your paved driveway, if you dont clear it down to bare pavement, I dont think you will have any issues. All chains will cause damage if you dont take care. The problem with normal single cross chains on R4 tires is the chain often falls into the tire groves and becomes useless. Adding the duo-grib ladder keeps the chain on top of the tire tread. Not an issue with turfs of course.

WilliamBos said:

If your primary is dirt work, go with AG tires. R4's can't cone close to what they have to offer.

Click to expand...

Purchase options on a new 1026R are R3/R4.

I use 2 link ladder chains front and rear on my R4's and they work very well on my 12 deg hill, the tractor goes like a little tank. I use V-bars on the rears only which you probably shouldn't use with a paved drive. However if I don't spin my tires or turn sharply I leave little if any marks on my concrete garage or shed. I got the chains from tirechains.com in PA.

I agree w/ dmay, decide other uses as well, I have R4's rears loaded and a fairly steep drive and alot of snow last winter. The 2305 did fine, I do not do alot of dirt work, mostly mowing, so I like the softer tread on the lawn. But as I say no issues w/ R4's

what about the rubber tire chains??/