Just as bignastyGS says,

There are a number of products on the market suitable for filling tires, I normally use 40 degree below zero windshield washer fluid, not the heaviest product but if you catch it on sale it's pretty cheap.

I had a set of loaded 6-12 ag tires on my 73 with snow plow and I just took them off last week. I have to plow uphill on blacktop and the tires just spun if they weren't on a level surface. I put my turfs on with chains (not loaded) and it went uphill no problem. Turfs and chains make a big difference. I'll be loading the turfs soon to add some more weight (already have 100# of wheel weights on). Jason

I just put ags on my 122 this fall. So far, I've had no traction issues at all. Everywhere I went with turfs and chains, I go with my ags. I've caught an edge of my flagstone and folded the blade right over and still no spinning. Granted, I have a lot of weight on her. There is one spot where I spin a little with both tire set ups and that's going up my steap driveway in reverse with the blade up. The best part about ags and no chains is no bouncing when driving around. Maybe drop it back a gear and let the horsepower do the work instead of plowing with speed. I can put my 122 in 1st gear and push snow anywhere I want to.

Source for 2-link 23x10.5-12 chains?
 

Hey all,

I know chains are pricey in Jan (procrastinators unite!), but do you know a good source for cheap chains?

TIA,

Bryan

Farm Auctions

I have never tried chains with turf tires for two reasons. One is probably because I'm too lazy to swap out the ag tires and two is I have never had a problem with chains on ag tires.

I have Carlisle 23x8.50x12 ags with fluid on my 129 with a 54'' blade and it pushes snow like there's no tomorrow. Yes the chains do fall into the lugs some , but it sounds like everyone is trying to make them out as they fall completely into the lugs and don't do a thing. I hardly ever spin a tire and I can about kill the motor without spinning. That is on snowpack and ice. Even in 1 foot of snow I usually lose power or the tractor gets shoved to the side if real deep , instead of spinning out.

So I guess I don't understand all the bashing of chains and lugs. I am an old farm kid too and never remember troubles with chains and lugs on the big tractors. Rough riding yes , but plenty of traction. :bigthink:

I'm still one that's willing to swap rear tires in the winter. I don't know about you guys, but I can't afford to put $200 worth of rear tires on each of my worker tractors. I've got ONE set of 30-year old Goodyear AGs on my 782D, and they get passed around from tractor to tractor depending on what needs them. I have a set of fluid-filled turfs on my 782 that stay on year-round. The chains go on when the thrower goes on, and come off when it comes off. Perhaps when I get out of college and stop hemorrhaging money, I'll be able to afford a set of new AG tires.:ExtremeFunny:

JeffB-

Just because your particular AG tire/chain combination doesn't give you trouble doesn't mean it works for everyone else. My Dad's Farmall B with AGs and chains doesn't work as well. The chains fall into the lugs pretty badly on it. If I were to put chains on my old Goodyears, I'd probably have a similar problem from the looks of things. Not all AG tires are the same. If you have 2-link chains, you probably have a fighting chance. The inferior 4-link chains will most likely fall right into the lugs.


Absolutely. Get 2 pairs of auto tire chains for a couple bucks apiece, and combine them to make one set of nice, heavy 2-link chains. BTDT. This is easiest if you have 6-12 or 23-8.50-12 tires, as I have never seen auto tire chains wide enough to put on the 10.50s.


Jeff122-

If you get some ice, your chainless AGs will won't be able to get out of their own way, regardless of the weight. If you don't get any ice though, you're probably all set.

Matt G - I've plowed with turfs and chains, and ags with no chains. The ONLY time my tires spun was when I was against a pile that was too big or heavy for the tractor. Any tire, with or without chains will spin on ice. The concept of chains is to dig in and grip. Sitting on top of ice, no grip.