i have been reading some old posts, so as to not duplicate this topic too many times.

i have been studying aggressive tires for several months now, in preperation for this winter. hoping to find that perfect "tractor tire" that will allow me to go anywhere in 1½' of snow.

in 8-12" of snow, would the stock dunlops be totally outclassed by the big dog mudtires? how about stock tires with chains? anyone ever try a cable chain setup? any luck keeping them on?

clearance isn't too big an issue where i ride, but it seems that wider is better for flotation.

i really dont want added weight stress/power loss associated with bigger tires.

i am beginning to wonder if i wouldn't be better off to just run the wimpy stock tires through the winter and save the $ for bigger and better things.


please leave a response with experiences/opinions on this ever important snow tire issue.


xpedition2

 

xped

I have found that the stock Dunlaps on my Magnum do an adequete job in the snow. The biggest thing that will hang you up in the snow is getting high centered. To remedy this, you could go to 26 or 27 inch tires, except that this also creates some additional strain on the drivetrain. When I do finally replace my stock tires, I will probably get the Titan 589 M/S tires due to the bigger lugs and paddle like action, however, I will probably stay with 25 tires to avoid any additional wear on the drivetrain.

Another thought: As for the tire chains, I think they would be a waste of time on an atv tire. The chains are good for lawn tractors that have less aggresive treads. The chains on the lawn tractor tires would not even give you the same amount of tread that the atv tires would have.

 

Xped-
Yes, you are correct that wider helps float better, and I also agree with MMM about the chains/cables-waste of time. Again, it comes back to the high centered bit-chains ain't gonna help you much when all four wheels are spinning helplessly while you're sitting evenly on top of 2' of snow. Time to either rock a bit, or get off and pull it back a little. Now, to the question of whether mud tires are better in the deep stuff compared to stockers? Take a look at the link below, click on "snow pics". You'll see my 'Cat with the huge 27" 'Claws in over 2' of snow. I've been through about 3' before, as when I got off to cut a fallen tree out of the way, I fell in waist deep. I'm not saying you need to go out and buy a new set of 'Claws here, but what I am saying is that the huge traction gain from the more aggressive mud tires has a HUGE help in deep snow. Part of that has to do with higher ground clearance, but in 2'+ of snow, you run out of ground clearance real quick anyhow. The 'Claws drag you on your skid plate through this stuff, while you never actually even touch bottom-unless you step off the machine that is, then you sink down deep-makes for a real pain in the butt! As far as the stockers go, I had the titan 489's, which are still on my Dad's 'Cat. There is absolutely no comparison as to who has the edge here. If he tries to break a trail, he's quickly stopped in the deep stuff within a few feet, as the 489's dont' have the traction to move this big snow. If I go in and break the trail, he can follow for a while, but then the tires are just spinning, grabbing and "fluffing" the snow, where I just doze on through.

And, if you do look at those pictures, yes, I did have to tow that suburban uphill in over 2' of snow several times. It got to be a real pain actually, Dad kept sliding over the edge, I'd have to pull him back on top, then finally just left the strap hooked, towed him clear to the top. Pretty amazing really-his 'Cat wouldn't have had a prayer, only because of the tire difference.

Not to make you spend more money, but hope that helps a little in the decision of mudders vs. stockers in deep stuff....

Best of Luck,

Mike

 

I have the claws on my sp500 also. Have not been able to get hung up yet. Pushes a plow like a tank.
Highly Recommended.

 

thanks for the input...i think the tread pattern of the vamps & swampers, gators & mudbugs, outlaws, titan 589's, and even mudrunners dig too much in the snow. i really think the wider tire would improve snow traction by allowing the atv to stay on top, improving ground clearance, and reducing resistance.

the cross over tread of the claws may be just the ticket in the snow.

i may have to try and find another set of stock wheels to purchase from someone. that would help keep cost down a little. i like the idea of 13½ inch wide tires in back on the 10" stock wheels anyway. i think those would really help keep you on top of the snow. front tire clearance is the problem. i would have to use spacers for 9½" wide tires.

Grrr..if its not one thing its another.

oh well, guess i'll keep deliberating on it...it won't snow here for another3 months. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

I was planning on buying PureSports 22" Realtors this fall since I am limited on height with my Scrambler. I have heard they work well in snow when run backwards.

 

I have tried 25" Spider Tracs and 25" titan 589's. Dont waste your money on them. I was always the only one getting stuck last winter. All the other guys were running stock tires on many different Polaris quads and all I did was sink! The first winter I had my Magnum, I ran stock tires and it went places that amazed me! Even climbed a very steep logging road ( I mean STEEP) in about 12" of snow! I now have Titan 489's on it and cant wait for the snow. Now I wont be the one always getting pulled out!

If the snow is fluffy, then the stockers work great!
If the snow is packed, no problem!
If the snow is wet, good luck to any tire!

If you want the best way to get around in the snow, then check this out!A Sportsman 500 from Canada that probably goes ANYWHERE!

 

thanks joel,

yeah, you are right about wet snow, but ill bet that cat track h.o. does ok!! that thing is sweet looking. i would sure like to see that thing in action.
i'm beginning to wonder if i shouldn't just run the stockers another winter. these days i just have too many priorities for my hard earned ca$h. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

thanks for the replies.

 

Run the most aggressive "skinny" tires you can in the snow. The SP500 is too heavy and sinks in heavy snow anyway so flotation tires are a waste. I've tried them. I use the 25" MudRuners. The 26" or 27" don't do much and are too wide and heavy compared to the 25's, rob too much hp and wheelspin. In snow, the only traction is on the bottom with an atv. These are not sleds that will stay on top. The chains only help when it gets icy.

If you are blazing a new trail with 18-24" you better hope that the tires are churning through to the bottom to get tractiion or you will be high centered before you know it. I even run weights on the front and rear racks . . . it helps dig through.

We had 245" (yep 245 inches, believe it) of the white crap in our area last year, I know what I'm talking about.

Jack Schultz
www.godigital-design.com/schultzmotorsports

 

i know that pickup tires with narrower and more aggressive tread do better in the snow. really wide tires just kind of sit on top and spin all over. then again, you take a john deere diesel tractor with big wide tires- that are basically over sized mudrunners....and they pack the snow while biting deeply for traction.

if the tractor had 3" wide tires on, it would spin too easily, because of the immense weight. however, if the same tractor had 3' wide tires, it would spin on top of the snow and never gain enough traction to move ahead productively.

there has to be a happy medium somewhere. i can see that cowboy mikes bike does outstandingly well with the magnum claws in that fluffy looking snow. i don't doubt that more narrow tires might do better in certain applications. maybe in wetter snow with softer ground beneath.

i have noticed that my expedition spends more time churning with the stock tires, while never really gaining traction. most of the time i think it would do better with a little more flotation, especially in the back.

maybe i just need to drive the tractor more [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]