Snow chains

Does anyone know if snow chains are legal in Manitoba? How affective are they for traction?

I have a dumptruck with a plow that gets poor traction, and am wondering if snow chains are an option.

Restrictions on protuberances on tires43(3) Subjectto subsections (4) and (5), no tire on a vehicle moved on a highwayshall have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat, or spike orany other protuberance of any material, other than rubber, thatprojects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire; but itis permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon amotor vehicle, where required for safety, or to use on dirt-surfaceroads only, tractors and implements of husbandry with tires havingprotuberances that will not injure the highway.
Regulations as to safety studs on tires43(4) TheLieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations authorizing motorvehicles to be equipped, during such period in each year as is statedin the regulations, and on such of the wheels thereof as are specifiedin the regulations, with safety studded tires.
Authority to use safety studs43(5) Notwithstandingsubsection (3), where regulations are made under subsection (4), motorvehicles equipped as provided therein may be used on highways.

Chains are the most incredible traction device on the market.
I put them on in the 1964 storm of the centurey, Marcu 4th or 6th when Wpg got about 18" of snowm and I went everywhere picking up stranded people walking home.
That was funny until I dropped someone off in Garden City and went to get out, found a car blocking my way on the road, reversed and went back and found another car "almost" blocking me in.
I decided to get on home!

Dean, may I remind you I own a dumptruck? You should dumb it down for me .

As far as I read it though, you cannot equip a vehicle with chains unless it is for dirt or gravel road use?

Also, in there it said studded tires are illegal, with the clause that they may be allowed during a guide lined time frame?

wpg_idiot wrote:

Also, in there it said studded tires are illegal, with the clause that they may be allowed during a guide lined time frame?

Authority to use safety studs43(5)Notwithstandingsubsection (3), where regulations are made undersubsection (4), motorvehicles equipped as provided therein may be usedon highways.

so yes.. safety studs are okay during certain time periods

"As far as I read it though, you cannot equip a vehicle with chains unless it is for dirt or gravel road use?"

close.. dirt/gravel roads are permissible


"and regular highways are permissible if they are for safety
but itis permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon amotor vehicle, where required for safety, "

basically.. put them on until you clear whatever obstacle is the problem.. ie black ice on road, steep hill to climb, etc.


.

Yup. You basically use snow chains on the snow (ice), or else you end up wearing away at the road surface.
We have a tough situation here on the road problem. Trieste is situated near the sea and stretches inwards and upwards from 0 m to 450 m. When it snows, the snow melts sooner down below while the higher parts get more and can last a few days. So, to get around, we end up driving safely on the snow with the chains, and scratching away at the asphalt where there ain't any snow. Studded tires are illegal in Slovenia but legal in Italy. Snow tires are okay anywhere. Carrying chains in the vehicle (unless you have winter tires on) is mandatory in Slovenia from mid October 'til spring. The fine is somewhere around 168 bucks.
I still find it hard to believe that winter tires aren't mandatory in Manitoba.
Oh, wait. Maybe it's because most semi-trailers coming up from the US have normal tires? Even those, I think should have chains at least.
Thanks for two minutes of your time, don't bill me.

Hey Mr. Idiot (I always wanted to say that without getting punched)

Here's the simple answer:

YES...you can...provided there is snow on the ground.

BUT...you can only put them on one wheel (the outside) of each side of your drive axles (so in your case...if you have tandems...4 chains are allowed).

The other thing to note is there may be a bylaw in certain areas which prohibits them because they tear up the roads.

Generally...chains are only allowed on work vehicles (while working), and/or on the highways...but not on city streets.

They would be going on a dump ruck that will plow large surface parking lots during/after snowstorms.

unlikely that they will be allowed since you would I assume be driving from one spot to the other? Also... you might want to check with the parking lot owners if they want their parking lots damaged.

in the parking lots you would be allowed to use them, from point a to point b though...i would recommend against it.

the best way to know would be to call motor vehicles and ask them...or go to one of the inspection stations (Headingley for example) and talk to them.

I know approaching several cities along the TransCanada, there are big signs that say "engine retarders prohibited" and "remove chains" before you enter them.

I can't remember about the chains for Winnipeg though...I know the retarders are off limits within the city (except in politics)