Front tires for snow plowing

[rod330]

I just acquired this little gem for light winter snow plowing on our long concrete driveway and large asphalt parking pad. I have a John Deere 4x4 cab tractor with a front mounted snowblower for the heavy stuff but the snowblower is not nearly as useful when there's just a few inches of snow. Now I'm on the hunt for set of front weights and maybe a second pair of rear weights.
The prior owner did a full restore 6 years ago when this photo was taken. The front tires are not nearly as good as they appear in the photo so I was considering new ones. For snow work on concrete, am I better off with multi-rib high flotation tires or the traditional three rib design?
Thanks for your feedback.

[Barnyard]

Three rib should be fine.

[ricky racer]

Nice tractor! A second set of rear weights would be a plus. Front weights probably won't be noticeable although I have a set on mine.

[Dave.49.cub]

Those tire will do fine. Can't tell if your tractor has wheel weights or not, but the heavier the better for snow plowing. Some people like chains, I have never used in 10 years of snow plowing, but there have been a couple of times they would have come in handy.

[Urbish]

I like the 3 rib on the front as they have some lateral bite when turning or windrowing.

[jsfarmall]

With turf tires I would get chains. I got turf tires on mine and I garden with it but anything slick ya just spin. Got a set of chains and made a big difference.

[Bill Hudson]

Here is what I use for plowing snow. http://farmallcub.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=95076&hilit=urethane+cutting+edge&start=15

Bill

[Denny Clayton]

On concrete I would try the first winter as it sits. It's a toss up for the front tire style and front weights aren't necessary. As you say, just a few inches it should handle. If it doesn't you have the blower on a 4X4 to bail you out. It's a Lo-Boy, and my experience is they plow snow better than a regular Cub.

On gravel it is another matter. Ag tires will dig into the gravel for additional traction. Turf tires put more rubber down on the surface, which in your case may very well be warm wet snow on concrete.

What ever your results you have that 4X4 available. If it doesn't work out and you want more Cub seat time, load it up with weights and chains for next season.

[KETCHAM]

I just hope we get some snow.....Mine don't go out till 5 inches of snow......All the snows here last two years have been less...Not putting the blade on till it does!!! 3 rib are great in snow...AG tires on rear...Not used chains yet....I have blacktop so it would tear it up....Kevin

[rod330]

Great feedback, thanks to everyone who responded! A nearby forum member has offered me a pair of rear weights at a great price so I'll add them to the existing weights and see how it goes this winter. The seller did include a nice set of chains but I'm not going to use them unless necessary. I do plan to add a poly blade edge as Bill suggested.

Ketcham, I bought this Cub just a short distance from Marshallville....nice to know there's so many Cub fans in Ohio.

[indy61]

That is a very nice looking Lo-Boy. Don't see many with vertical exhaust but maybe it's been changed.
I'm not sure how well turf tires will do without chains but in my case it was a joke, I could go nowhere.

[ntrenn]

Ive plowed the last 2 years with the big turfs on a regular cub...they do just fine...they are loaded with antifreeze. I plow down the hill and drive back up for additional passes. About 300' asphalt.

[LRiddle]

I live about 45 minutes from you and with the weak winters we've been having my rear turfs with chains and 1 set of weights does fine. I have 3 rib on the fronts for winter plowing and front turfs for mowing in the summer.

[Lt.Mike]

Mine had turf tires up front and when plowing it’d go straight with the tires turned. I added front weights which helped and now with 3 rib tires it’s much better. Mine has ag tires in back and though I have chains I’ve never used them.
Chains work better with button tires anyway.
Snow? Careful what you ask for! I saw some early predictions that were in for it this winter.
Mike

[rod330]

Thanks again for all of the great suggestions. A fellow forum member sold me a second set of rear weights and I added the Fallline polyurethane cutting edge as Bill recommended. The old steel edge was completely shot so polyurethane made sense. I put new Firestone 3 ribs on the front. The seller had given me a nice set of chains but I'm not going to put them on. If it get's that bad, I'll rev up the 4x4 with the front snowblower. Bring on the snow