Plowing snow with a Case 480c?

[stinky64]

Nope, open part out, two half moons pushing. They used similar setup with loader tires at Waste Management transfer stations to clean-up concrete dumping floor at end of day. Lot less wear and tear than loader bucket.

 

[Welder Dave]

Lots of people with gravel driveways like to pack the first couple of snow falls to save the gravel. Unless you routinely get snowfall over 6 inches, you don't need chains if you plow the snow early after a snow storm. If you have steep hills or want to drive in ditches, then you'll want chains. Duo-grip are the most common chains. Standard cross chains will get pulled between the treads. I use duo-grip on Ag tires without bungee cords to tighten them. I found the bungee cords pulled the chain in-between the lugs. It also helps when the chains flop a little as it makes them self cleaning. Get them as tight as you can by hand and they should be good. I usually have to drive on them a little and then can tighten them a little more.

 

[IceHole]

I was hoping I could scoop it up in the loader and dump it. Possible or a bad idea?

It'll do the job, just it's slow. Bucket doesn't hold that much and have to lift and dump constantly.

Vs a blade, at most you're just lifting to stack the snow. Plus 8-10ft wide.

 

[aighead]

Interesting, Dave, about having the chains a little loose to be self-cleaning. I have chains on the back tires of my mower that are loose and flop around a bit, now I can say it's on purpose.

 

[Welder Dave]

They can't be too loose or they'll come off but a little floppy is good. With bungee cords once the tires slip a bit the cross chains get pulled between the lugs and the bungee cords hold them there. Not having bungee cords let's the chains come out of the lugs and self clean.

 

[cuttin edge]

If you do get a pusher blade, get one that slides into your bucket. That way you can still use your bucket. We used to have New Holland backhoes with power angle pushers. They had the side parts to keep the snow in like a straight box. They were great to help steer. Never ran chains on them as most of our plowing was on asphalt.

 

[stinky64]

Lots of people with gravel driveways like to pack the first couple of snow falls to save the gravel. Unless you routinely get snowfall over 6 inches, you don't need chains if you plow the snow early after a snow storm. If you have steep hills or want to drive in ditches, then you'll want chains. Duo-grip are the most common chains. Standard cross chains will get pulled between the treads. I use duo-grip on Ag tires without bungee cords to tighten them. I found the bungee cords pulled the chain in-between the lugs. It also helps when the chains flop a little as it makes them self cleaning. Get them as tight as you can by hand and they should be good. I usually have to drive on them a little and then can tighten them a little more.

Double ring chains will not get pulled between the treads or clog up and are the most commonly used chains around here, have never seen "duo grip" chains on any farm or plow tractor, ring chains are the norm and are a fraction of the price. Use of tensioner "devices" is mandatory on Case hoe or you're gonna lose paint. Any incline + coating of ice + no chains = 12,000 lb. hockey puck.

 

[DDoug]

Decent incline + coating of ice + no chains = 12,000 lb. hockey puck.

...curling stone"

fixed it for ya....

 

[stinky64]

Most won't have a clue about that reference, we'll stick with the puck.

 

[HarleyHappy]

I find it thrilling and excruciating at the same time, sliding my backhoe down an incline and on a 4 to 1 slope twirling around 180 to 360 degrees, dropping the bucket, hitting the brakes and wondering where I’ll end up.
Lol, jumped a few banks and almost ended up in the pond.
Fun times.
Thinking of just running a plow truck.

 

[Welder Dave]

Double ring chains will not get pulled between the treads or clog up and are the most commonly used chains around here, have never seen "duo grip" chains on any farm or plow tractor, ring chains are the norm and are a fraction of the price. Use of tensioner "devices" is mandatory on Case hoe or you're gonna lose paint. Any incline + coating of ice + no chains = 12,000 lb. hockey puck.

You must not have seen a lot of tractor tire chains. Leclede Duo-grip or comparable are the most common chains sold for tractors. Some people do use bungee cords on them. I just found the cross chains got pulled into the lugs. They H pattern chain connecting the cross chains doesn't get pulled in the lugs but I found they work better without bungee cords. Slight floppy does keep the chains clean and prevents them from icing up and packing. On R4 tires like on a backhoe bungee cords would be fine.

 

[stinky64]

Never mind that plow truck, Coney Island can't match that kinda ass-pucker.

 

[HarleyHappy]

Looked like the wannabe VP at the debate, I did.
Lol

 

[480C]

Update. I’m at my camp and measured the space between the tire and the frame. A bit more than 3/4”. Would that work with 3/8” size chain? Trying to avoid ordering and having to return them. Also hoping to avoid using spacers or turning tires around. Thanks!

 

[Columbo]

Update. I’m at my camp and measured the space between the tire and the frame. A bit more than 3/4”. Would that work with 3/8” size chain? Trying to avoid ordering and having to return them. Also hoping to avoid using spacers or turning tires around. Thanks!

I wouldn’t… that seems pretty tight!

 

[480C]

I wouldn’t… that seems pretty tight!

Thanks. Back to the drawing board

 

[IceHole]

Update. I’m at my camp and measured the space between the tire and the frame. A bit more than 3/4”. Would that work with 3/8” size chain? Trying to avoid ordering and having to return them. Also hoping to avoid using spacers or turning tires around. Thanks!

No, need a couple inches at least.
Would flipping the wheels make it wider?
I've done that on a couple things.

 

[480C]

No, need a couple inches at least.
Would flipping the wheels make it wider?
I've done that on a couple things.

I’m not sure about flipping the wheels. I’m new to heavy equipment. I’m still weighing my options. Maybe I pay to have someone plow this year and try the backhoe out without chains on d see one areas behind the garage that are not plowed? Plow with my 4 wheeler?

 

[emmett518]

I have a Deere 310 L, and use it to plow snow in Massachusetts. Lately, winters have been on the mild side, but we can get 15-24 inches in single storm.

First, chains are a necessity. I bought Trygg chains from White Mountain. They had great discounts off MSRP. They are heavy, a PITA to put on, but work amazingly well. One year, I got lazy, and decided to skip them, and even with 15,000 pounds of backhoe, traction was not great. Sliding a 15,000 pound hoe sideways on a hill is not pleasant.

I did have to install spacers between the axle hubs and the rims on the rear to offer up enough clearance for the chains. I tried to find plans to make a set, but ended up having to pay Deere's ass rape prices for the spacers and the new lug bolts. I also had to buy a tool to get the old lugs out, and the new ones in. That went fairly smoothly.

Second, I do not use a bucket to plow. Buckets pack with snow, and are heavy enough that they dig up driveways if you are not super careful. I have a quick release, and found a used quick release plate upon which I mounted a used, very old, (cheap) fisher plow. If you float a bucket, the pressure of the snow will lift the front wheels off the ground, eliminating the ability to steer. Allowing the plow to pivot by itself allows you to lock down the bucket arms, and keep the steering front wheels from lifting.

After snow blowing driveways for 30 years, having an enclosed, heated cab with a radio is a wonderful luxury.

 

[emmett518]

I have a Deere 310 L, and use it to plow snow in Massachusetts. Lately, winters have been on the mild side, but we can get 15-24 inches in single storm.

First, chains are a necessity. I bought Trygg chains from White Mountain. They had great discounts off MSRP. They are heavy, a PITA to put on, but work amazingly well. One year, I got lazy, and decided to skip them, and even with 15,000 pounds of backhoe, traction was not great. Sliding a 15,000 pound hoe sideways on a hill is not pleasant.

Second, I do not use a bucket to plow. I have a quick release, and found a used quick release plate upon which I mounted a fisher plow. If you float a bucket, the pressure of the snow will lift the front wheels off the ground, eliminating the ability to steer. Allowing the plow to pivot by itself allows you to lock down the bucket arms, and keep the steering front wheels from lifting.

After snow blowing driveways for 30 years, having an enclosed, heated cab with a radio is a wonderful luxury.