I also agree. My E-15 with turf tires is completely helpless on ice without chains. Having a full bucket (of anything) only serves to counterweight the rear end and make less traction. I have found that I have to create downpressure with the bucket (drag it!) to increase rear traction in reverse. Sometimes to the point of raising the front wheels off the surface! Agressive tire treads will only work in soft mud or snow. On ice, aggressive treads are of no value because they can't get a grip on a hard surface. Studded tire will work well on solid ice, but dont make a huge difference on loose snow. But the ultimate solution is tire chains. With a rear weight box they give as much traction as you can get, even on turf or street tires. The only caution I would offer is that spinning a tire with chains on asphalt will cause the scuffing or excavation of the asphalt surface. I have heard that wrapping rope around the rim (through the holes where the rim joins the hub of the wheel can be used as an "emergency expedient" - but I've never tried it. I don't think it would help on pure ice, but maybe on snow. From: William Martin [mailto:martinsprinklerdesign yahoo com] I agree. It seems I always have ice to contend with and chains are a must. The chains go on the tractor when the blade does. I even have chains on my walk-behind snow thrower. BTW...Chains are nice for pushing dirt & gravel also. I go the REALLY easy route with my tire chains. I have an extra set of wheels/tires with chains already installed. I just swap out the wheels/tires and I'm in business! Billy |