Using Snow Chains In Mud.

[rich r]

I've seen a T4 wearing BF Goodrich All Terrains - though I'm not sure what size they were. I guess the common 4x4 sizes such as 31x10.5x15 will be much too big, but I'm sure there are options in All Terrain and Mud Terrain tyres that might fit without rubbing.

But yes, filling the dip would be cheaper and more beneficial to everyone who uses the track. I'm sure the owner won't mind you doing that if you ask them.

 

[Angusdog]

Don't be daft, just do what these guys in Sweden do...

 

[normspanners]

Don't be daft, just do what these guys in Sweden do...

good idea but just might catch the wings on the van when trying to steer.
I got my self out of being stuck with just a rope and a tree by wrapping the rope round the inside of my tranny twin wheels and tying the rope to the tree, (not tying the tree to the wheel) just had to left foot brake to even out the drive, and out see came

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Even when / if you buy a 4x4 the mud might still be a problem. Decent tyres help but "at the end of the day" the best course of action is to eliminate the mud or at least restrict it's forming / depth. If you use chains or even agressive tyres then sooner or later you will disturb the more solid layer under the upper liquid so that too becomes liquid mud and therefore the depth increases. Even a load of hardcore such as old house bricks at the bottom of the mud will help stablise the ground.
Have you checked out if ditches clear as it might be a simple case of a blockage in one that takes water away from the area.

Paul H

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Part of the problem is that the part where it is boggy, only about 15m, is also a public footpath in a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and also an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and Natural England would have a fit if we dumped anything on the track apart from the local stone.
I could scrape it out but it would soon fill back in again.
Changing to All Terrain tyres is a no no as I do around 15000 miles a year on Tarmac and a spare set of rims would take up too much space in the van and be a hassle to swap.
I am tempted to just try ploughing through it in the van but past expierience has taught me how bad a T4 is in slippery conditions (front wheel drive).
If it hadn't rained so much getting up there wouldn't be a problem. I will order some chains and let you know how I get on!

 

[AndyStobbs]

what about some sand tracks?

 

[Shox Dr]

Why do you need to take a van up there if you have tractor?

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Why do you need to take a van up there if you have tractor?

10 miles between home and woods, and until I build a barn there I have no where to store tools etc.

 

[Jester]

If the muddy section is only 15M, consider fitting a winch to the front and pull it through from a secure anchorage at the other end of the mud.
Though upgrading the lane is the better option

 

[PhillipM]

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 )

I can't say I've ever had much of an issue, even with 2wd


I've a few part-worn M/T tyres and steel wheels here but it depends what would fit your van. And as you say, bit of a hassle swapping them (although nothing like the hell a set of mudded up chains will be)

 

[octo0072000]

other main point is if it's over 8inch deep your van will bottom out then you will be stuck i would be looking for a old shogun lwb and a set of mud tyres plenty of room in it with the seats down

depending on other points the mud could be a bonus will stop all the ********s trying to get up there so the mud might work as a anti theft device for you
bit of lateral thinking

 

[bigegg]

Build a bridge? - Even in an SSI/AOONB you could get permission - particularly to prevent further damage.

If it's that bad now - consider what it will be like in a year we have a LOT of rain (like last year)

 

[normspanners]

(although nothing like the hell a set of mudded up chains will be)

I totally agree they are bad enough in clean snow I drove to Andora sking in a rover SD1 and needed the chains every day to get to the kids nursery which was well above the snow line I put them on a off for two days but gave up and left them on all week and just drove slow on the tarmac because it was such a pain.


How about this for an idea some thing i have done here when I had to drive a fork lift across my boggy front garden in the winter I had some sheets of heavy woven mesh that i put down it did sink in a little but the grass kept growing and you could hardly see it but it spread the load of a 5 ton machine to cross it perfectly no spinning or sinking
you could use stretched metal sheets cut into strips and lay it down it would not be seen, be flexible enough to lay flat but give you the stability you need.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I totally agree they are bad enough in clean snow I drove to Andora sking in a rover SD1 and needed the chains every day to get to the kids nursery which was well above the snow line I put them on a off for two days but gave up and left them on all week and just drove slow on the tarmac because it was such a pain.


How about this for an idea some thing i have done here when I had to drive a fork lift across my boggy front garden in the winter I had some sheets of heavy woven mesh that i put down it did sink in a little but the grass kept growing and you could hardly see it but it spread the load of a 5 ton machine to cross it perfectly no spinning or sinking
you could use stretched metal sheets cut into strips and lay it down it would not be seen, be flexible enough to lay flat but give you the stability you need.

I've got some of these for my front garden -

You can get similar in concrete.

Paul H

 

[normspanners]

yep thats where I got my idea from but we had the mesh come in the scrap so I grabbed it
it is surprising how little they sink in and more surprising how much weight they support.
I suppose it is similar to laying a flat sheet down it helps consolidate the surrounding soft earth the same way that dry grass does. thing is in this case it could be lifted and used elsewhere when needed when Ihardcored and gravelled the back yard i had areas of soft sink'y clay if I had carried on driving over it the stone would have disappeared into it, I put the mesh down drove over it back and too hundreds of times with tractor fork lift vans etc then that allowed the stone to consolidate and now it is fine. and actually where one spot is I have my 10 ton tractor unit parked on it and it hasnt sunk.
Again it works similiar to Terran

 

[armalites]

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.

I guess the problem you've got is you've completed at the wrong time of year weather wise. I know that can't be helped. You need to sort a solution that isn't a chore or you just won't get any enjoyment from the place and you'll be less inclined to go up there. Is there somewhere nearby you could store an old 4x4, maybe a Series 3 Landrover? You could store it up on your land and walk up collect it to carry the stuff from your van?

I like the odd challenging day that makes you remember you are alive but it will wear a bit thin when it's dark and raining and your are taking snow chains off for the second time

Will your tractor be staying there? If so could you not get a trailer and put the van on it and tow it up there, you could then use the trailer for other stuff too and take it home with you so it's safe.

 

[MattF]

Even in an SSI/AOONB you could get permission - particularly to prevent further damage.

That's what I'd have thought too. They're usually quite helpful towards people trying to conserve access and condition.

You're approaching this from the wrong angle, IMHO. You whack chains or aggressive tyres on there and all you're doing is exacerbating the problem. Cure it rather than making it worse. As mentioned by others, drainage combined with spreading loads, (various methods available. Andy already mentioned the likes of sand/mud tracks, and you can whack those in the back for when you need them), or infill are the best ways.

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

The national trust use granite chippings on a lot of the local beauty spots round here that they own. Could just ask whoever maintains the areas you say about