Do ATV Tire Studs (ice screws) Actually Work?
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- Опубліковано 17 вер 2024
- Do ATV Tire Studs (ice screws) Actually Work? After spinning my tires on ice for the last time I decide to try and get some traction with my ATV on ice. Before spending a few hundred dollars on tire chains for my ATV, I decide to try out the less-expensive alternative; tire studs (ice screws). Today I'm installing 100 tire studs that screw into my ATV tires with nothing more than an impact driver and provided socket. The carbide-tipped tire studs are designed to provide traction but I'll be the judge of that on today's episode. Since the AWD (all-wheel-drive) function on my 2005 Polaris Sportsman 700 efi is currently broken, I'm relying on 2 wheel-drive and the addition of tire studs to the rear wheels only. Check out the struggles I have on my ATV on a small incline where a light dusting of snow covers ice underneath before adding the tire studs. After installation of the tire studs I go back to the same stretch of trail in hopes of a noticeable difference. You be the judge whether these tire studs (ice screws) make a difference. Glad you're all here, here we go!
ATV shown in this video: 2005 Polaris Sportsman 700 efi
Tire studs (ice screws) shown in this vide:
Brand: Marrkey
Tire Studs for Car,Marrkey 12mm Carbide Screw Tire Studs Snow Spikes Anti-Slip/Anti-ice for Car/Snowmobile/Tractor/ATV/UTV/Motorcycle/Short Lug/Bicycles/Shoes With Installation Tool - Pack of 100 (4mm(D) X 12mm(L))
Drop Spreader shown in this video: Hydromann Mini 60
Looks like it's chains for the win here Sandy, I have a set on my Foreman and they're the way to go for crawling through winter trails in the woods. I've had mine for over 10 years, a good long term investment.
I think thats the way to go for sure. Sound's like they work well on your machine
The studs that have a hex head on them work way better than ones with the small pin. I like the Titan ones from Amazon. Also adding some weight on the racks will help a lot. Nice video.
Thanks J L
well this the first year i'm using chains on my atv and it's been amazing. pricey but worth it. i really appreciate how you show the less than successful endeavours as well.
I just found your channel, I LOVE it. I own a 03 grand touring that oh my god, EXACTLY the same as yours and I love it so much
I've noticed your channel is growing pretty well. I just want to take a moment and say congrats on that, and than you for posting videos for all of us to enjoy. They really are easy to watch, man. Take er easy my fellow Ontarioan
Thanks Jay! Appreciate the support. Hope all is well with you
I just joined as also being an Ontarian (Timmins), I prefer to support video creators from our province, and your content is what I enjoy the most, thanks!
One thing I would like to remind you all about: ATV:s and compact tractors are not made for big/heavy implements and "superhard" use. IF you add weight and chains chances are great that something else (expensive!) will break.
Most of us sometimes remove/replace pins/bolts/springs that are designed to guard the machine/implement/user. A plow on the ATV is great, but if one puts good chains on chanses are that the frame will crack. Maybe not today, not tomorrow but maybe next year or the year after. The slipping of the tyres "protects" the frame and the gearbox/shafts.
More traction gives more "bang" when the plow hits a stump. Forces grow on parts and if something brakes we tend to "blame" the machine/factory.
The loaders frame on the tractor I use at work broke thanks to heavy snowpushing and lifting. To get more power I use chains and a counterweight. I agree that it is my fault but the alternative would be a bigger machine (+100 000$) and that is not on the table.
Just wanted to remind you not to oversize implements too much. At some point it's cheaper and smarter to upgrade machinery. If you load tyres, buy counterweights and so on you can get a bigger machine (that you don't have to run at max capacity) that will last longer. Have a nice day and keep safe!
I have chains with ice corks on them that I converted from a really old set of car chains. In the 50’s car chains were common. We had a few sets here on the farm. I used links from one set welded in the cross chains of the set I made.
They really dig into the ice
I use #8 hex head zinc coated screws. They are way cheaper, and seem to work pretty well.
Chains are the answer for my ATV, found the studs shredded my tires ,that was 15 years ago, chains are easily removed
My ATV is a Cat 350 4x4 , full time 4 wheel drive.
Glad you got the 4 wheel drive fixed
That sounds like a nice machine Larry. Can't go wrong with the 4x4 full-time
I think the tire studs will help some how much is hard to say but the all wheel drive sure will help also. Guess the short Version is I don't think you wasted your 20 bucks. Great video Sandy
Thanks Jeff! I think you're right. Worth the 20 bucks for what they did I think.
I been running chains for a few years now and they work great in the woods. To save a few bucks I bought a set of truck and suv chains at Princess Auto when they were on sale and shortened them a bit. Think I only paid about $80 for them and they’ve held up now for 6or 7 seasons in the woods
4x4 helps a lot, but you have to remember on an atv you can’t always be a static rider like in a truck, you sometimes have to manhandle and manipulate the machine since they are so light. By the way, those years of sportsman’s are notorious for the pdm going out, i have to replace mine.
Yearsssss ago (22 years ago with a Yamaha BigBear 350), I use hex head sheet metal screws (lot cheaper by boxes of 100's) and it improve ice traction compare to bare tires but lot less traction than tire chains. For traction there is no substitute to chains.... BUT there is tracks (higher cost) like I have (Camoplast/Camso) on my Club Car 1550. Still sideway slides on incline pure ice but very rare on my terrain. If needed, I still can use hex head sheet metal screws in it. Be well and safe.
Great ideas there! Thanks for sharing
Chains are way grippier on the heavy snow, while screws are great on bare cold ice. Chains still work very well on ice too. Studs won’t help as much on the snow. Unfortunately, the studs float above the snow as it packs down. Try the same grade with 1 foot of new snow. Wet snow chains are the winners, as they have a paddle wheel effect.
And 4 wheel drive for sure is a huge factor
I just bought a crap load of short sheet metal screws. Cheep and worked well. When I did my mountain bike tires I went from the inside out. The duck taped the inside to protect the tube.. trick where thick gloves.
Dude! ice pick chains made all the difference in the world for me hardly ever used 4-wheel drive now only in the steepest or worst conditions. Def worth the 50 bucks they're probably 75 bucks now Still well worth it!
My own findings were if the tires were sipped, small diagonal marks in the tires, they were great and studs do help or hurt depending as they give a ice skate effect on ice. Temperature was the biggest advantage and if it takes all the above to get there, I don't go. I think of them to get me out of troubles and not into troubles.
Diamond style chains are the way to go.
Glad you fixed the 4WD I know that has been a bother for some time.
Live in Northern Minnesota, where snow/ice can be kinda deep. Have had tire chains for many years on my Side by Side.. Night and day difference. Use it to plow all my trails, drag logs etc.
Think this is the route for sure!
Great video Sandy.
Old boy tip for you... chains... and if only 2 wheel drive then a pair... suggest a 2nd pair of tires but in lou of that... when you put the chains on ... let the air out of the tires... get chains on as tight as you can... pump up the tires and use bunjees to collect any slack... I had a 3 wheel Honda 250R with chains on like that on a set of "Buckshot Mudders" (look more like winter truck tires) and I could travel at 50 miles an hour and lots of control... front tire I put sheetmetal screws in to assist in some turning... kinda funny to think 40 years ago I was burning holes in lake ice :)
I think you’re onto something!
Fluid film. The best investment you will love it. We buy three cases a year.
Good morning to ya Sandy! Glad you took the time to fix your 4 wheeler, now maybe the wood splitter?😁 I know new chains aren't cheap but think about all the times you've been stuck or not able to go where you need to. I find the chains on my 4 wheeler let me use it year around. I've had it for almost 10 years and never once been stuck, even plowing snow. Just my 2 cents. Look forward to seeing the AWD fix! Take care and see you Wednesday! 👋
Think you’re right Jill. I better throw on some chains before I get it buried again haha
Hi pot the Air pressure down in the tires well help you. I run the lake in the winter to go ice fishing.
i love your videos. on my 1995 polaris magnum 425 2x4 atv. i went with tire chains. because chains are cheaper than other set of tries and rims.
That's a great older machine you've got there Warren! Sounds like chains will be in my future as well.
This is why I prefer a Yamaha Grizzly or a Suzuki Kingquad, they have a constant tension CVT with a slip clutch for initial takeoff in an oil bath inside the transmission (Makes it one of the smoothest transmissions ever), in addition a manual selective 4wd/2wd, AND manual select locking front diff. Since my tractor took over plow duties, I don't use chains any more since it only does light duty stuff anymore in the winter.
I use carbide studs on my CTL they give it awesome traction, I couldn’t make it up my driveway when iced over, but with the studs I can go just about any where on ice, just have to be careful when turning on hard dry ground as it will tear them out. Nice spreader.
Yeah can imagine. I think in the right application they would work real well.
sandy, that's a true evaluation!
Thanks David. Hope it helps others. Sure like the awd now that it's working.
I'm kind of surprised you went so long without fixing the 4WD on the atv and then when you really, really needed it, spent a day also not fixing it. I'm going to guess it was a servo or connection to the servo that was the issue.
I would option for a cheaper set of chains for the rear tires. At the low speed on trails it wouldn't be too hard on the machine and give you optimal traction. Also you wouldn't be wearing down studs all summer long when they would serve no purpose.
Yeah I think that'll be a good idea. I was trying to save some money and figured I"d give this a try as I always wondered.
@@sawingwithsandy Thanks for trying out the studs, I wondered how they worked on atv's. Now I know👍.
And now I see you took the box off the front . Lol works good now .
I think the awd repair helped me out in this case
The 4x4 on those Polaris are usually an easy repair. 9 times out of 10 it’s a broken wire down by the front wheel hub/ strut area.
My speedo is broke
Hey Sandy,,,,$20 bucks is $20 bucks as we say,,,lol. Doesn't matter what you have to do for it. My wife only said I'm not allowed to work the corner pole anymore for blacksmith parts. Hard times coming I guess. Glad you got the AWD working nonetheless.~
Just use hex-head bolts from whatever hardware store you use. You can get larger heads and ones that have a recession on the top.
Studs are mostly for racing and much longer and thinner.
Maybe longer studs and have a winter and a summer set of tires.
Been running studs in dirt bike and atv tires for years now, get grip studs, they're way better then those cheap tiny ones. They cost a lot but mine are 7-8 years old. I have two sets of wheels/tires one full of studs for winter and one regular for summer but you can take the grip studs out in the spring and put them back in in the fall too.
Your tires also totally suck in the winter, we gave up on mud lite XL's they just dont work on cold hard ground, they're too hard and the treads too spaced out.
I have tried every imaginable traction Aid on ATVs. Studs work but you need about 500 per tire. Chains are best
Good to hear first hand from ya Rob. Thanks for that
I never lost one screw from the bunch I bought off Amazon. Put them in bearclaw htr tires on my 650 outlander. I like to go wot in the snow as well. Won't go another winter on an atv or sxs without studs. I think you are suppose to have just the carbide out past the rubber. The carbide never wore down all winter. About 1000 kms of riding ice and snow, road and hilly trails.
Great to hear that Mark. Looking forward to mine last just as long I hope
Enjoying the channel. Hard to tell watching, but might try less air in the tires as they look very hard as well as more studs with a larger head further to the side as well.
Your rear end is too light (on the quad). Adding 100 lbs on the rear rack will make a world of difference.
4wd in the snow is a must also, and that's what got you up your slope.
Yeah seems that way
The big box on the front was removed from the front as well, and that's probably your main problem. Putting the box over the rear drive wheels may have fixed the lack of traction.
You can’t get up at low speed. Try sanding down hill, go up fast. Just a thought
Trouble i have is on my lane way I’d have to get uphill before I could sand downhill
Try lowering tire pressure for winter time use
These are actually at 5lbs as they sit. These tires are quite stiff
Very interesting, I wonder if there were more studs would it make a difference? Maybe the atv just isn’t heavy enough to make the studs work well in any case fun video well done.
Hello! My opinion: when machines are light chains is the way to go. If you are really scared to damage a nice driveway studs can work. But there has to be alot of them, the tyres should be strong enough and there hasti be enogh of weight.
Studded chains number one, regular chains number two, winter tyres number three and studs number four. For ATV and small tractors number three is off but larger tractors and machines benefits from wintertyres. They who plow alot of snow over here often have two sets of tyres for loader/truck/tractor.
I would go for studded/semistudded chain for the ATV. But you can plow and sand with the Kioti so why the ATV? You can't drive them both in the same time anyways... At -15°C you can drive with summertyres. The icecrystals change and nothong is slippery. Around 0°C everything is slippery, the ice smooths out and it just ain't fun anymore. We are now again in a +5°C to -5°C run. I hate it, it's much easier when its -15°C to -20°C. But my employer likes this better, at -20°C we burn 300 gallons (1200 liters) "off-road diesel" every day. At best we have used 2500 gallons (10 000 liters) per week, thats allmost 10 000$ just for heat in a week. But yes, there is alot to keep warm 🥶...
Great advice there! Thank you
MM77 Approved 👍🏼👍🏼
Thank you Sir!
Just a thought if nobody has brought it up.. drop your rear tire pressure to 3.5 to 4.5 lbs. They look pretty stiff
Hey Gilbert. Good point for sure. These tires are so stiff that in this video I had the pressure at 5psi. Seems like they're made of about 100 plys haha. I'll see about dropping it down more though
I figure its cause at any given moment, theres only 3 or 4 studs (per tire) actually touching the ice which is not producing enough hold, especially cause theres so little weight in back of ATV. More studs in line on the footprint would help i think
Yeah! Good job.
Curious what psi are you running in your tires? If they call for 5 psi I wonder if 3 or 4 might give you better traction? Just a guess. Also, when my 4x4 indicator light would not come on, I found a wire connector had come undone in the instrument cluster. Cheers.
Chains all the way you just can't beat a set of chains. I cut a old set of truck chains down for my 4-wheeler
Think you’re right about that one Jake
My $.02 on one reason the studs may not be working properly for you: the hollow tread pattern getting packed full of snow and ice and preventing the studs from making full contact with the ice. I do believe a solid tread pattern would perform better because there’s no place trapping snow and ice.
Could very well be
With all wheel drive you could more than likely eliminate the studs.
I’ll definitely try it out again but with the weight of the sand I can imagine it may slide again
As Sandy experienced it with his tractor when without chains, UTV/ATV/tractor do slide sideways even in 4wd/all wd
You might try backing up the hill and see if the leading tires will pull
As BandF said chains for the machine, i am looking into getting a pair
Think I may go that route too
Hey I'm new to your channel I live just north of Sudbury. like the content my kind of stuff👍and for your tires I think you might have a bit to much air I have the same lug on my mud lights and they are a round surface and you run on only about 3 inches in the front and maybe 4 inches in the back if your lucky. I know allot of guys will yous pour man studes self tapping screws as long as you don't spin the he'll out of them and stay slow speed they work good. I have a 660 grizzly and I have a 60 inch plow and I have the similar tires and il I did was air down and the ridding surface is much wider when you squish them well good luck 👍
Welcome to the channel Marc!
I have the same problem getting into my mountain property. Thin ice layer under the snow, I have to drive up a 10 degree slope can't make it without chains on the 4runner.
I like the idea of chains. I think may have to try them out on the atv.
Maybe try pumping up the tires more?
With no four wheel drive some weight on the back end would help just might not steer as well
Think you’re right Clayton
-2 where this am but still got some wood cut.i put paddle tires from tsc on my golf cart n it went everywhere.not cheap though.
Sounds like a great setup with that golf cart! As you know I love the old golf carts
@@sawingwithsandy yes i do.this has a lift kit on it.about 8 or 10" lift.tires are huge.just plows threw snow over the front end.fun stuff.
Will you deflate the tires and make a video on that?
LOL at "..I'm just going to pretend it did..."
hahaha I had to feel better about the $25 purchase
They aren’t made to get you unstuck. They are made to help you keep going
I knock the air in my tires down to 5 lbs and that seems to make a noticeable difference.
That would help I'd imagine
Oh lol there u go
I have an 02 sportsman 700 with the same itp Mud tires and it’s worthless in two wheel drive. The front tires def hold you back in snow
I think you're 100% right. Seems like without awd it's pretty useless in these conditions.
looks like you might have to fix that 4wd
All fixed now!
I'd put chains on the rear and move the studs to the front.
Not a bad idea there Christopher!
Hi Sandy, I liked the video. I'm wondering where did you get the studs for so cheap? I'm in Southern Ontario too.
Hi Paul, I ordered these off Amazon. The specific ones I bought are in the description of the video if you're interested. Thanks for watching
Looks like your tires may be a little hard they should have about 3 psi In them if their overinflated u won't go anywhere I made this mistake a long time ago lol
Do you remove the studs in the spring?
Probably won't need them with theb4wd fixed
Try to add some weight over your back wheels - should help
Think that may help for sure!
@@sawingwithsandy I do it for my atv and cars on very icy conditions. Give far better grip and traction. 50kg of sand should do the job. And then you have the sand there for gritting ;-)
CHAINS!
I think that's the way for sure
Try lowering your tire pressure Dow to about 20 pounds that puts more tire tread to the ground
tires are actually right at 5lbs as they sit. These tires are quite stiff so they can practically run without air in them.
too much air in tire 5lb ??
Is 4ﾟF in West Michigan this morning
Certainly on the chilly side
How much air pressure do you have in your tires?
BIGGER
Can I ask what might be a dumb question, would not fixing the all wheel drive give you more traction than studs? It has to be done sooner or later anyway?
I originally didn't expect to be able to repair the awd since my dash cluster is broken and so I was looking for alternatives to get the job done in 2wd.
@@sawingwithsandy LOL I can relate I plowed snow one winter in 2 wd, I could not afford the actuator for the front diff.
I have a can am outlander 1000 I only use sheet metal screws in my tires
I've heard of people doing this. Sounds like its worth a try for sure
@@sawingwithsandy you can put double the studs for fraction of the cost
Icebreaker tire chains
Seem like those would work well
Tyre chains seem a better solution.
I think you may be right Alex
works way better without front brakes on to lol
I have used hex head screws they work better than these studs.
Reduce air pressure
for snow/ice
They are at 5lbs in this video
Like someone said , take the weight off of the front .
Although it appears like that box is heavy its empty in this case and weighs about 30lbs
TOO MUCH WEIGHT AT THE FRONT.....CHEERS
The box is empty in this case so probably weighs about 30lbs
Less air maybe?
It’s at 5lbs at this point
Du kan prøve å ha noe mer vekt bak på ATV så vil det også hjelp på friksjonen mellom hjul og bakken for det ser ut som ATV en er fra tung.
Ja, denne maskinen er ganske tung. Må kanskje ha en passasjer på bare for å se hvis det påvirker ting. Takk for at du så på!
RWD ATV Lmmfao 🤓🤪🙈🤣😁😎✌️
Take some air out of your rear tires too
These are at 5lbs as they sit
USELESS,, I had my new Polaris 500 studded by a professional and it worked for the 1st year. But we use our machines all year long and rocks and rough spots eventually pull them out. Then on the 3rd or 4th year, you have to put tubes in the 4 wheels because every day or 2 they deflate .I don't know how long my studs were but going over rocks in the summer pushes them in and, after time causes them to leak. Now I don't screw around,,, 4 chains installed on my Polaris ranger 1000 .good to go now for many years
Good to hear first hand experience with chains
Momentum is your friend. You stopped in the worst spot every time. Way way to slow.
I was trying to mimic the real conditions that I would encounter when using my drop spreader
Let some air out of the tires
They are at 5lbs in this video
Fix your 4 wheel drive ! Problem solved
Fix the 4x4 and problem solve buddy
Er
Stick with tire chains
I think you're right
@@sawingwithsandy don’t know unless you try though as the saying goes.
Absolutely!