Grader Tires

[Scrb]

Ok county guys and gals,what tires are you running? Which ones give you the most bang for your buck.

Right now we have 4 machines still on 14.00X24 and 1 on 17.5X25.We seem to have the best luck with Bridgestone VKT on our 14.00 machines.But now its about time to shoe the 17.5 machine so was wondering what others have been having good luck with.

 

[ovrszd]

We've ran 17.5s for the past ten years. Always had Michelns. Have never had a failure of any kind. Haven't had any flats. Only thing I don't like about them is the chains get down in the lugs and you lose a lot of traction. That happens during the first 30% of tread wear. After that they won't stay wedged into the lugs so it's not a problem.

Here's some pics. The chains with the crossbars running at an angle across the tire are down in the lugs. Crossbars running straight across tires are not.

 

[ovrszd]

Here's a pic of these tires new.

 

[Jonas302]

Michelin snow tires all but eliminate chaining Just put on a set of BKT snow tires not to much to report yet price was waay less than Michelin Continentals were a favorite could always get a few recappings from them dont seem to be able to get them anymore

 

[Fatgraderman]

Being as how the OP's location is listed as Missouri, he may not be looking for snow/ ice traction.

 

[ovrszd]

Yeah, not sure what part of Missouri He's in??? Even if he's a "Southerner", South end of the State, he'll still get snow. It just doesn't stay quite as long.

A Township near me has a set of snow tires on an all wheel drive machine. They only chain up if we have serious drifting that requires a plow. Their Township terrain is much flatter than mine too.

I don't have all wheel drive and I have some steep, hilly terrain. Regardless of tire type, I need chains.

 

[old-iron-habit]

Snow type makes all the difference in the world when plowing. Dry cold snow seldom requires chains. That wet heavy stuff that we seldom get, but you guys get a lot of, is hard pushing and has little traction with rubber once you spin a 1/4 turn and turn it to ice.

 

[ovrszd]

Snow type makes all the difference in the world when plowing. Dry cold snow seldom requires chains. That wet heavy stuff that we seldom get, but you guys get a lot of, is hard pushing and has little traction with rubber once you spin a 1/4 turn and turn it to ice.

I tried "no chains" one time. 6" of medium snow on frozen gravel roads. Spun out climbing a hill. Now I've lost all momentum. Slid my way to the bottom of the hill. Got off the road onto the ditch and roadbank where there was vegetation to get some traction on. Row boated my way to the top of the hill with the blade. Went back to the shed and chained up. Now I'm chaining up in the middle of the night, very cold.

Didn't try that again!!!!

 

[cuttin edge]

It's unreal how big a difference snow tires make. My grader sits in the winter, and I run an L 70 with a box blade. Snow grips make such a difference that the company bought them for all 10 loaders. Sometimes the odd early storm hits before the tires are changed, and you realize how spoiled they make you. My grader came with 6 Michelin snow grips but I have only used them one winter. The summer rubber are Bridgestone but I find them rough. I will say that I am really glad to be clear of bias ply tires. Always hated those early morning flat spots

 

[ovrszd]

It's unreal how big a difference snow tires make. My grader sits in the winter, and I run an L 70 with a box blade. Snow grips make such a difference that the company bought them for all 10 loaders. Sometimes the odd early storm hits before the tires are changed, and you realize how spoiled they make you. My grader came with 6 Michelin snow grips but I have only used them one winter. The summer rubber are Bridgestone but I find them rough. I will say that I am really glad to be clear of bias ply tires. Always hated those early morning flat spots

I totally agree. We switched to Radials in 1995. Last time I had a flat was 1995. We switched to 17.5s 10 years ago. That was almost as dramatic as going to Radials.

 

[NW41]

My county has 6 graders, 5 run a tread pattern similar to oversd's on the rear and a snow tire pattern on the front. Mine is the only one with Snow tires all the way around. I've got 2400 hours on them and haven't had to chain up yet. Even with 30-40% tread they outperform the large block pattern. I can't say enough good about them, until you back into a field drive to turn around and get stuck in 2" of mud!

 

[ovrszd]

I think there's always a trade-off. Are your machines all wheel drive??

 

[Fatgraderman]

That's my only gripe. They are fabulous in winter. On the flip side, the OP has never chimed in to clarify what kind of work he does. If it's dirtwork , then SnowCat's aren't going to make much sense.

 

[Jonas302]

Once people run snow tires in the winter they don't go back to those slippery block treads Even if chains were needed for extra tough hills I would have snow tires underneath and on the steers We leave them on all year for gravel road work they run down the road nice and smooth and don't leave big marks when you turn around or wheel pack fresh gravel
I did see one get stuck this spring found a frost boil in a culdesac the top quarter of the tires were showing on the stuck side when I got there Normally its wise to keep the tandems on good ground

 

[Fatgraderman]

We leave them on year round too. But just even a road shy of gravel and they spin a bit and go sideways.

 

[ovrszd]

That's my only gripe. They are fabulous in winter. On the flip side, the OP has never chimed in to clarify what kind of work he does. If it's dirtwork , then SnowCat's aren't going to make much sense.

Yep. I thought of that but let it go. I do a LOT of dirt work.....

 

[ovrszd]

Once people run snow tires in the winter they don't go back to those slippery block treads Even if chains were needed for extra tough hills I would have snow tires underneath and on the steers We leave them on all year for gravel road work they run down the road nice and smooth and don't leave big marks when you turn around or wheel pack fresh gravel
I did see one get stuck this spring found a frost boil in a culdesac the top quarter of the tires were showing on the stuck side when I got there Normally its wise to keep the tandems on good ground

Having never ran them I have nothing to compare to so be gentle on my comments. Knowing my roads and inclines I climb, I believe I would still have to run chains. So if I do have to run chains, what is the gain of running snow tires?

 

[ovrszd]

I just noticed the OP hasn't been back..... Maybe we are talking to ourselves??

 

[20/80]

Like the pictures, we run goodyear winters on our 140h and 140m on all wheels factory size with good results, is that wing in the picture mounted to your mould board? or am I looking at it wrong?

 

[20/80]

Having never ran them I have nothing to compare to so be gentle on my comments. Knowing my roads and inclines I climb, I believe I would still have to run chains. So if I do have to run chains, what is the gain of running snow tires?

Winter tires the rubber is softer and makes for better traction without putting chains on as often also you will find that your front end won't slide as easy on you when ice blading or plowing and winging. thanks