Snowblower traction: Chains, studs, or just leave it alone?

C

CentralMA

Member
Doing some maintenance this week on a couple of snowblowers I've come to a question:

This past week I put an Aries Deluxe24 into the mix, my Craftsman 2007 (?) 28" seized up, both belts snapped. Possibly an ice chunk in the impeller. No shear bolts damaged.

Had to employ the Ariens. Brand new as of 3 years ago, less then 3 hours of use on the machine overall.

The Ariens is heavier by about 60 pounds. 24" housing compared to 28" on the lighter Craftsman.

The Ariens was having a hard time getting a grip on the packed snow / ice / slush on the street.

Should I go with chains? Or has anyone studded their snowblower tires for extra grip?

Or just think it was a weather related anomaly to ignore?
 
Chains are the way to go, man. I had the same problem with my Ariens a couple winters back. Packed ice on the driveway and that thing was just spinning in place like it was trying to dance.
 
Chains it is.

Also going to swap the steel skids for poly. Reading throug some other threads it appears that might get rid of the auto turn squirreliness I've been seeing, and lessen the friction of the front end.
 
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