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Skid steer in snow

ThreeCW

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Joined
Dec 15, 2019
Messages
227
Location
near Calgary, Alberta
phil314,
Good to hear that snow tires are working well for you.
What size of snow tires did you go with? Are those mounted on Bobcat wheels or aftermarket?
 
Last edited:

phil314

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2014
Messages
356
Location
Otsego, Mn
Occupation
Instigator of Choas
There are a couple different sizes.
I went with the biggest - 255/70R22.5
They are about 37.5 inches tall, about 4.5 taller than regular tires.
They give 2.25 inches more ground clearance which is great for deeper snow.
The rims are aftermarket and came with the tires, the rims are 22.5 diameter.
 

DIYDAVE

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2007
Messages
2,409
Location
MD
I've had good luck using chains on the rear of my 242B for plowing snow on a 1/2 mile long gravel driveway. I use an 8 ft snow bucket to push snow off of my high profile road which means that I often am off the road surface to remove the snow. With a good set of chains, I have never been stuck. You can get various type of chain depending on how aggressive you need to be (i.e. regular link, square link, v-bar and studded in order of aggressiveness). As someone noted, aggressive chains are not suitable for pavement so you want match your chains to the type of road surface that you are plowing. Another options is studded winter snow tires ... similar to what is used on a truck. Below is my 242B chained up for winter plowing.

View attachment 207590

Anyone else see the error, in the above picture?;)
 

DIYDAVE

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2007
Messages
2,409
Location
MD
I was referring to a single set of chains, on the rear. There are those that would say it causes stress, to the drive line, in the gear cases...;)
 

ThreeCW

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Joined
Dec 15, 2019
Messages
227
Location
near Calgary, Alberta
DIYDAVE,
Thanks for your comment on the uneven gear case loading that may result with running a single set of chains. What you say makes sense. I may try running with chains on all 4 tires to both assist in traction and even up the gear case load. I appreciate your input. Regards, 3CW
 

jacobd

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Joined
Apr 2, 2017
Messages
147
Location
North carolina
Skid steers normally experience an uneven load on the drive train because the engine is always present but the payload is not, which gives the rear tires more traction on average. Chaining up the front tires may give you more traction overall but it will also make it slightly harder to turn. And it will do almost nothing to "correct" the front/rear load bias.
Personally I wouldn't worry about it.
 

phil314

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2014
Messages
356
Location
Otsego, Mn
Occupation
Instigator of Choas
I'll throw my 2 cent in here too.
Even with 2 or 4 chains in snow/ice, I've got far less traction than on dirt or asphalt, so how much stress can this be putting on the drive train.
With 2 rear chains it's still fairly easy to spin the tires. I usually ran 4 chains just because it gave better overall traction.
 

phil314

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2014
Messages
356
Location
Otsego, Mn
Occupation
Instigator of Choas
Wow. Didn't that throw off the lifting arm/bucket geometry a lot?

It raises the machine/quick attach about 2.25 inches. That might affect a bucket angle a little, but I don't use a snow bucket.
I use a plow for plowing snow and since it's 3+ ft out in front, a couple inches at the mounting point doesn't really change the angle noticeably.
In fact it even helps a little since I'm less likely to bottom out the plow frame on uneven terrain.
 

KSSS

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2005
Messages
4,318
Location
Idaho
Occupation
excavation
I wouldn't worry about the wear of only running one set of chains. I have done that for the last 20 plus years over a variety of machines and never had an issue. Chains front and back give you the best traction obviously but I had good success with only a set on the back as well.
 

ThreeCW

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Joined
Dec 15, 2019
Messages
227
Location
near Calgary, Alberta
Seems to be some different opinions on one set of chains or two. I also checked one of the snow plow forums and saw the same split response. I may try another set of chains for added traction when plowing uphill ... and perhaps (??) some benefit of balancing the load on the gear case. Thanks for the feedback.
 

Ronsii

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2011
Messages
3,464
Location
Western Washington
Occupation
s/e Heavy equipment operator
Seems to be some different opinions on one set of chains or two. I also checked one of the snow plow forums and saw the same split response. I may try another set of chains for added traction when plowing uphill ... and perhaps (??) some benefit of balancing the load on the gear case. Thanks for the feedback.
I guess it comes down to 'do you need them?' kinda like the guys I've seen driving a car with only one chain on one driven wheel... personally I think it was their lazy side that said I only need one ;)

When I was moving snow with my skid I put on all eight chains I had!!! and was still getting stuck a few places:eek: if I had only put one on each rear tire I wouldn't have gotten anything done... all depends on your needs determined by the conditions ;)
 

Rob Gunn

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Joined
Mar 18, 2013
Messages
163
Location
Buchanan, MI
The best setup that I've ever had and have been running for 12 years now: Bobcat S175, chains on only the rear, 6' snow-blower. Pushing snow can be done but you will always run out of traction before you run out of power, also hard to keep the bucket from digging into the ground. I know the snow-blower is the most expensive option but hands down the easiest and fastest.
 

fast_st

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Joined
Dec 1, 2010
Messages
1,468
Location
Mass
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IT systems admin
If you have space between the tires and the chain case chain it up. If the wheel studs are long enough you can make spacers to fit over the studs and move the wheels out further. Otherwise keep the bucket down when traveling forward and never back into deep snow.
Mike
Often if you need more clearance, some of those wheels are farm wheels and can be swapped left to right to gain more space and keep the tires running in the same direction.
 

DIYDAVE

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2007
Messages
2,409
Location
MD
With the snows we get here(mostly slush), I just have a snow blade on the front of the ASC, right now... Might need it tomorrow...;)
 

denver05

Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2019
Messages
14
Location
Canada
20200105_155127.jpg 20191227_192203.jpg

Newbie , just got the 1845c for playing on the property.

Built a set of chain for the rear , 12 degrees inclined gravel driveway. Works good so far. Will likely add a set to the front.
 

Steve Frazier

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Oct 30, 2003
Messages
6,599
Location
LaGrangeville, N.Y.
Skid steers by design constantly put uneven loads on the drive case. One set of chains or two isn't going to make a difference in the longevity of the drivetrain. Add to the mix that your inherently working in slippery conditions and there's really nothing to worry about. I run chains on the rear of my machine too for snow, I'm sure two sets would be better traction but it seemed overkill for what I do.
 

fast_st

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Dec 1, 2010
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Location
Mass
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overkill is awesome, quad vbar chains is a good way to go. having a full cab is nice too, sure beats a set of coveralls and a motorcycle helmet to keep your face from freezing.
 
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