Rubber Tire Chains or Steel Chains?

[JD75]

I have a set of steel chains for my mower that I haven't been able to use yet, (no snow). I was wondering if anyone has used rubber chains and if they like them. Which one is better, rubber or steel?

I live on a hill with a paved driveway and have good bit of flat area to plow too.

 

[KennyV]

On pavement... Rubber is best... :smile:KennyV

 

[Grass ala Mowed]

Need sure where you are in Virginia, but when we get snow, it's usually wet and heavy and accompanied by icing. I'd use the steel chains for all the bite you can get. I'm looking to move inland in the next 2-3 years and am looking at the same rig and I'd go with steel chains; for the few times a year it snows I wouldn't worry about wear on the chains or the pavement.

 

[reynoldston]

As for myself the tire chains are for the ice and rubber wouldn't work at all. Wouldn't rubber tire chains be a lot like the tractor bar tires? I have found that that style of tire is useless on the ice. But also maybe you don't get the ice build up that we get in NY.

 

[Grass ala Mowed]

I grew up on the Tug Hill, so I know SNOW. However, in coastal VA, our snow is (1) preceded by freezing rain and sleet, or (2) followed by thaw and freeze cycles. So often there is some icing and as mentioned the snow is usually wet and heavy.

 

[reynoldston]

I grew up on the Tug Hill, so I know SNOW. However, in coastal VA, our snow is (1) preceded by freezing rain and sleet, or (2) followed by thaw and freeze cycles. So often there is some icing and as mentioned the snow is usually wet and heavy.

If you lived in the tug hill regent you sure know about your snow because they get hit the hardest off the lake. Right up to the roof tops at times, been there with the snowmobiles in my younger times

 

[Grass ala Mowed]

Sometimes it snowed so much we had to wait a day for it to settle before we could ride! I don't live there anymore, but follow the local news and this year they've had to cancel the dogsled races and at least one cross country ski race due to lack of snow. I ran up there in the late 60's through mid 70's, lived just down from the Wart Road entrance to the Winoa Forest.

 

[JD75]

Need sure where you are in Virginia, but when we get snow, it's usually wet and heavy and accompanied by icing. I'd use the steel chains for all the bite you can get. I'm looking to move inland in the next 2-3 years and am looking at the same rig and I'd go with steel chains; for the few times a year it snows I wouldn't worry about wear on the chains or the pavement.

I live in the Shenandoah Valley in western va so the snow can be a mix of things. Im not too worried about marking up the pavement, I just want the better of the two. I would keep the steel chains for the ice and wet snow.

Thanks for the input

 

[fastback]

I don't know anything about rubber chains, but I can tell you that I have never had a snow storm that could not be handled by a tractor with steel chains. This is with the exception of the blizzard of 78. This year has been a little different from last year. Not much snow here at all.

 

[LHPopper]

I have steel chains on my Toro LXI with a snowthrower attachment. My only comment is that if you have an asphalt driveway, the chains can scratch the asphalt when you spin the tires. In the spring you will see lots of scratches on the asphalt. I seal my pavement every few years cause I like it to look nice. If you have old asphalt that is bleached out, then no problems.