Are Chains Required?

[Elmer Fields]

I tried chains last year on my inclined asphalt 100 ft. driveway & I still spun so much the driveway looks like it was whitewashed. I'll go back to pushing down hill & coming back up through the yard

[ScottyG]

I'm hoping that that's the result of a serious incline which might be a little steeper than mine. Mine's pretty gradual but pronounced toward the top. Will report back on my first clearing.

[Mike D]

Chains aren't required but they sure help. I have plowed a 100 foot macadam driveway with my 48 Cub, turf tires and rear wheel weights, here in south central PA for the past 27 years. My driveway is slightly sloped away from the house so when we are in for a snow I back the Cub into my garage and when I am ready to go, I plow downhill. The first year I plowed without chains and got stuck when I tried to return to the house. After the first year, I built a quick connect wooden box which bolts on top my draw bar (with two bolts) and extends under the platform and is positioned/bolted under the cross piece which is used for the swinging draw bar. Three bolts hold the box on the tractor. I fill The box with six cement blocks. The extra weight along with the chains, which I made up from regular chain material from Central Tractor, has made plowing snow enjoyable. Good working hydraulics, weight in the rear, and a set of chains make a world of difference. And, the extra weight has prevented the wheels from slipping and scoring the macadam drive, even when I plow uphill. Of course, using common sense and light on the power, when appropriate, helps a great deal too!

[therocket]

With no chains the first pass of clearing snow is the hardest. I back into the Garage, put the ole girl in third with the rev's up a little and let her go. After that I take each pass a half a blade at a time in second gear so its's not so bad. I have no choice but to start at the Garage door and push up and across the street.