Using Snow Chains In Mud.

[Wendelspanswick]

We have finally completed the purchase of 15 acres of meadow and woodland on top of the Quantock Hills. Our access route is about 1/2 mile up a mainly stone track but part of the route has a layer of mud/leaves over it. At the moment we only have 2wd vehicles apart from my tractor and until I replace the wife's car with a 4wd I was wondering whether to buy a set of snow chains for my VW T4 Transporter to get over the boggy bits. These boggy bits are flat and level but with a layer of 4-8 inches of mud on top of the stone track.
Any one tried using snow chains in mud? 9mm or 16mm chains?
I am presume I only need one set of chains for a 2wd.

 

[madkayaker]

Its worth a try as if they don't keep them for snow. Big forestry plant often has chains on

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Good idea but only for the muddy bits so that would mean driving to mud, putting chains on, driving though mud, stopping and removing chains etc every time you pass that sections.
Why not get 10 ton of cheap road shavings and fill in the muddy area ?

Paul H

 

[zzr1200]

SnowChains will give you more grip in mud, BUT be careful because if you do manage to get stuck you will only dig the front wheels in further its like putting a set of shovels on the front wheels....

 

[slim_boy_fat]

x 2 for what Compo suggested.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Good idea but only for the muddy bits so that would mean driving to mud, putting chains on, driving though mud, stopping and removing chains etc every time you pass that sections.
Why not get 10 ton of cheap road shavings and fill in the muddy area ?

Paul H

I would do but it's not my track, we only have right of access along it. Most of the track is fine but on a section all the silt washes down onto the track which has a natural dip at that point.
I think I will get a set of 16mm chains and put it through the business, as MadKayaker said I can keep it for the snow and ice.

 

[octo0072000]

We have finally completed the purchase of 15 acres of meadow and woodland on top of the Quantock Hills. Our access route is about 1/2 mile up a mainly stone track but part of the route has a layer of mud/leaves over it. At the moment we only have 2wd vehicles apart from my tractor and until I replace the wife's car with a 4wd I was wondering whether to buy a set of snow chains for my VW T4 Transporter to get over the boggy bits. These boggy bits are flat and level but with a layer of 4-8 inches of mud on top of the stone track.
Any one tried using snow chains in mud? 9mm or 16mm chains?
I am presume I only need one set of chains for a 2wd.

when you go get a 4x4 you will need mud terrain tyres on it if you are going to be using the place in winter
other point is chains do damage to tyre bodywork you may be better just putting mud tyres on the T4 on the rear and see how you go

 

[Pete.]

Can't you ask for permission to improve that one section. You could build it up with crushed concrete which would still allow drainage but support your vehicles very well. Chain will get you grip but chew up the ground even more. Eventually you'll be down to the axles.

 

[AndyStobbs]

A set of grippier tyres may also help.

 

[zzr1200]

I would do but it's not my track, we only have right of access along it.

If the tracks owner needs access to beyond the dip, I'd contact them and ask if they have plans to or are willing to contribute to improving the track, if not then lastly ask them if they mind you improving it.

Depending how many times you intend visiting your land during the bad weather, a lorry load of chippings will be cheaper than having your van recovered and repaired after you've possibly damaged the engine/exhaust/gearbox/suspension.

 

[Shox Dr]

You'll regret buying snow chains, they are a complete **** to fit/remove when covered in snow so just imagine what they will be like covered in mud.

I'd buy a pair of cheap rims and stick some insa turbos or the like on them, for the drive axle.

 

[brianblock]

if its only 8inch of mud then stone i would take the tractor up there with the loader on and just carefully scrape off 6 inch

 

[bigegg]

+1 for the lorry load of chippings. I've just been quoted 10 quid a tonne, collected - free delivery over 10 tonnes (this is south leeds, local delivery).
£100 won't get you a set of off-road tyres, second hand, *maybe* a set of good snow chains (but they would be a PITA to fit/remove as already stated)

10 tonnes= 5 cu m, BTW. You might want to budget for some tanalised timber or concrete kerbs to keep it confined to the road - it *will* disappear, otherwise.
Alternatively - consider digging a channel out the side of the dip if possible so the water drains?

 

[dannyp]

on thing to beewear o is cheep snow chains are very expensive.

if you do end up buying chains they want to be very high quality expensive ones, even more so for mud than snow.

problem with chains is when you use the right boot and spin a wheel, they will not only dig down fast but when they grab hold of something hard they will snag it, ether throwing it ownthe side of your truck or worse bust out a joiner link on the chain, at that point they have just turned into a chain flail and will rip out the inner arch of your car and possobly brake lines in about 1 second flat.

if they are the really crappy ebay spectials they'll jut end up wrapedround the driveshaft

 

[normspanners]

I modded some rear transit wheels for the local milk man he was for ever getting stuck he needed 16" and the centers where 15" so i made some wheels welding 15 centers into 16 rims and put some kobota mini tractor tyres on them, he used to swap them over with a battery nut gun took him 2mins a wheel quicker than chains, but not really legal on the highway, they turned out that useful he ended up using them when it snowed and never got stuck again, they were taller than the standard tyre so gave extra clearance and grip .

 

[normspanners]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Compact-M...K_BOI_FarmingEquipment_RL&hash=item2a33cb17ba
similar to these but bigger dia

 

[normspanners]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-50-X16-...wnmower_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35add17715

here they are

 

[octo0072000]

better off with these at least they are road legal

http://tyresdirectuk.co.uk/shop/index.php?catname=Insa-Turbo-Tyres&id=255

 

[ben8vgte]

I have a pair of Continental Vanco 4 seasons on the front of my T4, good all year round on everything. With mud just run them at 20psi and it normally pulls it self out fine.

 

[normspanners]

The milky tried tyres like those but they just didnt grip in the mud the same as proper chevrons thats why we went down that road ( so to speak HA )