Chains vs Steel

Dellbertt · Feb 20, 2011

Seeing the post with the steel wheels breaking ice got me to thinking.
For a gravel driveway would steel wheels be the ultimate snow pushing setup or would rubber tires with good aggressive chains work best.
Is it impossible to get stuck in snow using steel wheels?
Seems like the rubber w/chains would let the tractor float a little and not sink as much as steel.
I like the idea of pushing snow with steel but I think the rubber w/chains would work better.

Dell

Charlie M · Feb 20, 2011

I put steel wheels on my F14 for a period of time after the tires that came on it rotted to the point they wouldn't hold air. I used the tractor one year to drag the garden and the steel didn't have any where near the traction of rubber on the loose dirt. In addition steel wheels on a solid surface will just about shake your kidneys into your shoes. I would vote for rubber with tire chains over steel wheels.

CNKS · Feb 20, 2011

I have driven steel wheels in mud while cultivating at the end of irrigated fields where the water had not drained off (cultivator up), not snow. They are ok unless you get in extremly deep mud, then the wheels won't turn (Farmall H). For normal snow, whatever that is I imagine they are ok. As far as riding rough, only on hard ground, the roughness is not noticeable when in the field.

Janicholson · Feb 20, 2011

Steel wheels with tread bar short cleats might be OK for a driveway, but grousers (tall cleats) would be rough on the aggregate compaction unless it was frozen. A steel wheel has a line contact with hard ground a rubber tire has ca contact patch almost as long as it is wide. With chains it is far more operational. Jim

Jimmy Z. · Feb 20, 2011

I have heard that steel ( w/ what cleat?) is also rough in snow because of clods sticking to it any where, giving an uneven pair of wheels. However, I think it would be neat to experiment with in different conditions (snow, soil etc.)if you are set up and have a rubber tired tractor on stand- by.
I saw a McDeering 10-20 on steel at a tractor pull and thought he'd dig in and go, but it spun out early! He was an experienced driver, too. I have a 10-20(not operational) with steel and rubber- always wanted to play with both sets to see and experience how it handled. Chains and some extra weight make a big difference, though.
Be careful on the ice! Steel can slip and slide easy! I saw a fellow loading a steel wheeled tractor onto a trailer and he slipped off! Had to use a hoe to lift it back. Thank God nobody got hurt!Let us know what you may encounter. I think steel would spin eventually and you could get stuck in snow.....

Chains vs Steel

Dellbertt

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Charlie M

Well-known Member

CNKS

Well-known Member

Janicholson

Well-known Member

Jimmy Z.

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