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RZ(Wa)
02-07-2004 15:30:20
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Re: Chains vs Liquid in tires? in reply to Dano, 02-06-2004 19:05:24
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I wouldn't pay any more than $200 for a good well built 5ft mechanical back blade, too many of them around ($100 max for one that is decent and usable), then again, I'm never in a hurry to buy much of anything. As for the tires and chains, I usually run my MF 175 with loaded tires and a 7ft back blade. Occasionally, I'll chain up if there is a lot of ice on the road or driveway. Without chains and pulling or pushing heavy wet snow the wheels will break loose somewhat, but no big deal to me. I tend to see the use of chains akin to using a 4x4 truck -- good for getting out of a predicament or avoiding one if I PAY ATTENTION. And if I don't, they're great for a lot of work if I do get stuck (and I ain't into work caused by foolishness). I do have a couple of neighbors who are interesting to watch move snow. Instead of raising the blade a little, they will go and go until so much snow is built up on the blade and under the tractor all the tractor will do is spin the tires in both directions (and no, I don't let either of those guys use the crawler, grousers are not much fun to replace).
I picked up and rebuilt a MF 35 a few years back and I'll use it to move snow whenever it starts to feel unwanted. The tires are neither loaded nor near as wide as what is on the 175 and it does okay without chains (a little slower and smaller bites perhaps, but what the heck, I enjoy it).
Okay , I haven't answered your question -- I would use chains over loading the tires, leaving them on for the remainder of the snow season. Filling the tires is pricey, corrosive and during the warmer months when field/pasture is wet that greater weight can make for some deep ugly ruts and scars that will need to be repaired. --- I recall a similiar question has been asked here before. I'm not sure how far back the archives go but you might want to look back a couple of years. A couple of fellows had much better explanations and reasons for them than I have just now. Well, that's a little more than the 2 cents I intended so, Good Luck.
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