Tractors and snow can be a tale of woe

Tractors are a brilliant tool for getting work done on the farm, no matter what the weather. Here are some top tips to get the most from and safely use your tractor in these wintry conditions.

1. Balance: if your tractor is carrying a load on either the three-point linkage or on a loader, it is even more important than normal to have a balancing weight in order to keep all wheels in full contact with the already slippery surface. Loaders should be operated as low to the ground as possible to help to give traction to the front wheels.

2. Speed: whether on the road on in the yard, using the correct speed is essential in these conditions. Tractor tyres are designed in the main for field work and to grip a soft surface. This means that they are very good at gripping when there is a depth of snow but due to this design they are not very good at maintaining grip on compressed snow/ice. In fact, if you look at a standard tractor tyre, the surface of the lugs is smooth so it will give little or no grip on a shiny panned snow surface. Extra care should be taken when driving on the road and trying to drive on loose snow will improve your chances of stopping if required.

Braking distance will be greatly extended if the snow is compacted.

Braking distance will be greatly extended if the snow is compacted.

3. Steering and braking: on snow and ice, the inputs to the steering wheel and brake pedal need to be very progressive and gentle in order to maintain whatever small bit of grip is present. Due to the nature of tractor steering systems, there is no mechanical link between the steering wheel and the wheel. This means that unlike a car, you cannot feel if the wheels are no longer gripping, so extra care is required.

4. Patience: sitting waiting for a window to defrost or spending a few minutes scrapping snow off all the windows is time well spent and allows for the visibility you need to get around safely in these conditions.

If you do have to be out and about in a tractor in these conditions, always make sure to give the driving your full attention because even at tractor speed, these conditions can catch out the most capable operator.