Best Snow Chains for Zero Turn mower

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Best Snow Chains for Zero Turn mower

Posted: 12/12/2016 2:35:19 PM EDT

Hey Hive,
Going to be putting a small plow on my Hustler Zero Turn this winter.

What tire traction/chains should I be looking for to help with traction?

Thanks all,

Lookinup

Posted: 12/12/2016 2:37:59 PM EDT

[#1]

Really?

Posted: 12/12/2016 2:38:25 PM EDT

[#2]

V-bar type

That's probably going to need all the help it can get.

Posted: 12/12/2016 2:39:15 PM EDT

[#3]

Quote History

Quoted:

Really?

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Don't discourage him. I want to see how well this works.

Posted: 12/12/2016 2:42:07 PM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:

Don't discourage him. I want to see how well this works.

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Quote History

Quoted:

Really?

Don't discourage him. I want to see how well this works.

Just seems like more horsepower would do more good than more traction under those conditions.

Posted: 12/12/2016 2:44:20 PM EDT

[#5]

I have seen plows on regular mowers... never seen one on a zeroturn...

Posted: 12/12/2016 2:45:04 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:

Just seems like more horsepower would do more good than more traction under those conditions.

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Not necessarily. I've seen low HP vehicles do better in slippy conditions. They don't spin tires as easily.

Looks like this has been done before by multiple companies.

Posted: 12/12/2016 2:46:26 PM EDT

[#7]

To hell with the plow, just make some blades that are shaped like propeller props and use it like a snowblower.

Posted: 12/12/2016 3:02:40 PM EDT

[#8]

I was going to say I'd never seen much use for a lawn mover to cut grass in the winter. We planted rye in the winter but never cut it.

A blade for a zero turn?

ok...

Posted: 12/12/2016 3:07:37 PM EDT

[#9]

I'd go with the diamond chain design

Here's a reference if any fit your tire size
http://bestreviews.com/best-snow-chains

Posted: 12/12/2016 3:09:22 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:

Don't discourage him. I want to see how well this works.

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LOL, you're using him as a guinea pig?

Posted: 12/12/2016 3:15:43 PM EDT

[#11]

I'm looking to put a snow blower on my Walker. I know they sell chains, could be the size you need.

Walker chains.

Posted: 12/12/2016 3:16:06 PM EDT

[#12]

I don't think you will need chains OP, try it without first.

Posted: 12/12/2016 3:19:33 PM EDT

[#13]

LoL,

We don't get a lot of deep snow here, usually a few inches up to maybe a foot.

I know I wont be able to push feet of snow with the zero turn, but if will push 6'' without any issues, that is fine for my needs. I can keep after it every few hours if need be.

If I lived in some of your locations, Colorado, etc, yeah I would laugh at me too.

The company I am purchasing from (Country Zero Turn) has a universal mount system designed for zero turns and I will go with a 4' blade. If I can get decent traction with the rear wheels, I don't forsee a problem.

Thanks again!
Lookinup

Posted: 12/12/2016 3:21:35 PM EDT

[#14]

Might help if you specified the tire size...

Posted: 12/12/2016 3:24:39 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
To hell with the plow, just make some blades that are shaped like propeller props and use it like a snowblower.

View Quote

Holy fuck, i love this place!

Posted: 12/12/2016 3:26:28 PM EDT

[#16]

They tell you not to use zero turns on wet grass or 15 degree hills and then they go and make plows for them?

Posted: 12/12/2016 3:37:56 PM EDT

[#17]

Find a lawn tractor with the same tire size as your Hustler, and buy chains that would fit that one.

Posted: 12/12/2016 3:43:04 PM EDT

[#18]

A coworker has a hustler with a blower on the front. It sucks...er, blows. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it doesn't fucking work.

Posted: 12/12/2016 3:53:13 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
Might help if you specified the tire size...

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rear wheel size..................

23x9.50-12

thanks!

Lookinup

Posted: 12/12/2016 3:59:29 PM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:

rear wheel size..................

23x9.50-12

thanks!

Lookinup

View Quote

http://www.tirechain.com/23X9.50X12.htm

Posted: 12/12/2016 3:59:35 PM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:
LoL,

We don't get a lot of deep snow here, usually a few inches up to maybe a foot.

I know I wont be able to push feet of snow with the zero turn, but if will push 6'' without any issues, that is fine for my needs. I can keep after it every few hours if need be.

If I lived in some of your locations, Colorado, etc, yeah I would laugh at me too.

The company I am purchasing from (Country Zero Turn) has a universal mount system designed for zero turns and I will go with a 4' blade. If I can get decent traction with the rear wheels, I don't forsee a problem.

Thanks again!
Lookinup

View Quote

The problem you will have is keeping enough weight on the front to push the blade down vs floating over the snow. You will probably need bolt a few 40lb weights on the plow.

Posted: 12/12/2016 7:02:31 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:

http://www.tirechain.com/23X9.50X12.htm

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Thank you sir

Posted: 12/12/2016 7:05:06 PM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
LoL,

We don't get a lot of deep snow here, usually a few inches up to maybe a foot.

I know I wont be able to push feet of snow with the zero turn, but if will push 6'' without any issues, that is fine for my needs. I can keep after it every few hours if need be.

If I lived in some of your locations, Colorado, etc, yeah I would laugh at me too.

The company I am purchasing from (Country Zero Turn) has a universal mount system designed for zero turns and I will go with a 4' blade. If I can get decent traction with the rear wheels, I don't forsee a problem.

Thanks again!
Lookinup

View Quote

Is there a provision to add wheel or ballast weights to the mower? Would you maybe have to add liquid to the inside of the tire for weight? Studded tires?

Posted: 12/12/2016 7:14:24 PM EDT

[#24]

Cant you just put hot water on the snow to melt it?

Posted: 12/12/2016 10:58:03 PM EDT

[#25]

A plow kit and tire chains for a zero turn? What will they think of next? After today with 6 inches of fresh snow, a broke quad with a plow and a snow blower that's dead, too... Maybe a plow for the zero turn as a back up?

Off to look at the Husqvarna website...

Posted: 12/12/2016 11:22:00 PM EDT

[#26]

Tire chains

Posted: 12/13/2016 2:55:36 AM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:
Cant you just put hot water on the snow to melt it?

View Quote

LOL... oh Florida, bless your heart.

Posted: 12/13/2016 8:25:22 AM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:

Is there a provision to add wheel or ballast weights to the mower? Would you maybe have to add liquid to the inside of the tire for weight? Studded tires?

View Quote

I am sure I could throw a few 45# plates on the mower if needed. The person I spoke with who sells the plows said these mowers do really well due to engine/weight placement. I am not sure about adding liquid to the rear tires, never heard of it until I started researching this.

Like I said, I am being realistic, I know I wont be moving tons of snow with this set up, but I am pretty confident I can take care of 6'' or maybe a little more (that's what she said) with the addition of some type of traction devise on the tires.

If this doesn't work, I will sell the plow and buy the wife a nice new shovel.

Thanks again for all the links and suggestions

Lookinup

Posted: 12/13/2016 8:43:09 AM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:

I am sure I could throw a few 45# plates on the mower if needed. The person I spoke with who sells the plows said these mowers do really well due to engine/weight placement. I am not sure about adding liquid to the rear tires, never heard of it until I started researching this.

Like I said, I am being realistic, I know I wont be moving tons of snow with this set up, but I am pretty confident I can take care of 6'' or maybe a little more (that's what she said) with the addition of some type of traction devise on the tires.

If this doesn't work, I will sell the plow and buy the wife a nice new shovel.

Thanks again for all the links and suggestions

Lookinup

View Quote

Don't know anything about snow nor about using a ZTR for snow plowing, but I do know about filling ZTR rear tires since I did it on mine since I live and mow on hills.

IRC, my ZTR rear tires took about 8 gallons of liquid. I put 1-2 gallons of RV antifreeze (-50 degree stuff) and the rest water. That added about 60-65 lbs to each rear tire, making the ZTR more stable plus improved traction. (RV AF is non-toxic so you don't have to worry about killing your pets if you get a leak)

Where you live, you may need to up the AF/water ratio or just take it to your local tractor dealer and have them fill it Rimguard (beet juice) which is by far the best tire liquid ballast of all.

It's not hard to fill a tire with liquid ballast, get the special tool from Tractor Supply or your local tractor dealer, get the antifreeze and a small pump (hand pump or aquarium or sump pump). Bunch of youtuber videos, as well as this article: http://www.orangetractortalks.com/2009/01/how-to-ballast-your-kubotas-tires/

Good luck!