Flex-trax vs chains

Peter Mann · Apr 4, 2016

The greasy mud down at our equestrian yard is appalling and the horses have turned the grass into a scene from WW1. My 90 has to pull a harrow and then a heavy roller to fix things. My question is. What do readers think of Flex-trax vs chains? The Flex-trax appears to be lighter, non rusting but can it take a battering? (it will never be used on the road)
Also my back aches a bit these days so ease of installation is also a factor.
So will the plastic break up? any experience out there? thanks. Peter

tacr2man · Apr 4, 2016

Flex trax look to be oriented for snow driving , chains will be far superior in mud , as the drive will be much more uniform whereas the flextrax are a 3 segment with large gaps . The chains due to their looser fit will be much more self cleaning in mud . HTSH

John S · Apr 4, 2016

Why are you rolling and harrowing when the ground is so soft? You'll rip the ground to pieces and kill the early grass growth. I'd do it once the ground is firm. Rolling first and only harrow once you have a good head of growth .

jamesmartin · Apr 4, 2016

plus 1 , driving on wet ground let alone rolling it is a good way to ruin it

300bhp/ton · Apr 5, 2016

Can't see chains being any use at all on mud. Not as if you see farm tractors sporting such things is it.... agree with the other posts above too.

Disco1BFG · Apr 5, 2016

IMHO, The ground needs time to recover before you do anything with it.

Also IMHO, horses are a nightmare for ground when there are too many of them per unit area - which there obviously are given the state you describe.

And, just FYI, my grandfather used to farm with horses - they were kept inside during the winter for good reason.

You have plenty of options to reduce the recovery time, some sheep might help, some hand work will definately help, and transplanting some earthworms will assist greatly.

IGP50 · Apr 5, 2016

If you pick your day right you should be fine to roller and harrow now then get some seed down, we've just done ours and the fields are coming back very quickly. That said I wouldn't use a Landrover to do it. If you could justify it you would be better off with a cheap tractor - look in the classifieds in Tractor and Machinery for example. We use an old MF 35 on turf tyres and it leaves next to no footprint, failing that a cheap dumper on worn tyres. If you have to use a Landrover I'd wait for the ground to harden off some more, then you probably won't need chains or flex trax at all.

tacr2man · Apr 5, 2016

300bhp/ton said:
Can't see chains being any use at all on mud. Not as if you see farm tractors sporting such things is it.... agree with the other posts above too.

Chains are very effective in mud , have a look on youtube at "logging skidder"

HTSH

Peter Mann · Apr 5, 2016

Thanks everyone. So its chains. Is the RUD grip 4x4 to go for or what other makes do you suggest. Bear in mind that ease of fitting is a factor and that is why the Rud's seem attractive.

300bhp/ton · Apr 5, 2016

tacr2man said:
Chains are very effective in mud , have a look on youtube at "logging skidder"
HTSH

Seems some do, some don't.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=l...wvfLAhVEnw4KHUZmBuYQ_AUIBygB&biw=1155&bih=639

Although I wonder if the chains are more for traction on fallen wood/roots, rather than the mud.

tacr2man · Apr 6, 2016

I can assure you from personal experience that chains work very well in mud and on slick grass slopes
used them on this type vehicle when used for animal feeding even thru a small stream , without the chains it used to get stuck on a grass verge

as others will probably confirm

) it was retired from milk float duties.

Thor1950 · Apr 6, 2016

wait until the ground drys out. you will fook things up both the ground, grass, for years to come

Turboman · Apr 6, 2016

Peter Mann said:
The greasy mud down at our equestrian yard is appalling and the horses have turned the grass into a scene from WW1. My 90 has to pull a harrow and then a heavy roller to fix things. My question is. What do readers think of Flex-trax vs chains? The Flex-trax appears to be lighter, non rusting but can it take a battering? (it will never be used on the road)
Also my back aches a bit these days so ease of installation is also a factor.
So will the plastic break up? any experience out there? thanks. Peter

No use at all rolling when the ground is greasy, it will smear it on top, and clag up the roller, leaving great lumps of mud off the scraper bar. Wait until the ground is dry the frist few inches, but still soft underneath.
A heavy roller is at least 3 tons in my book, pulling that is going to knack your landy. Tractor is best for that work.

Flex-trax vs chains

Peter Mann

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tacr2man

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John S

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jamesmartin

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300bhp/ton

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Disco1BFG

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IGP50

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tacr2man

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Peter Mann

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300bhp/ton

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tacr2man

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Thor1950

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Turboman

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