Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I was at my friends house last night and he showed me a  snowblower a relative gave him for free !    It is a Gilson  5 hp 24" cut   two stage.  It is in very good condition (no rust,good paint etc. )    .  He said it starts up and runs OK   but may need a tune up.   the only problem is the wheels.   they are some kind of hard rubber.  the tire is not cracked or split but the treads or lugs or what ever they are called  are completey  worn off from use !    My friend said he tried the machine in our last spring storm and it worked OK  but he could get traction  on the smooth tires.  


I forgot to get the model number or serial number   but I will get it tonight.      The wheels lokked like they are held on with one bolt through the center??.



I think I recall that Gilson was a premium brand   at least the machine looks well built.     


But what can he do about the wheels?      My first thought was to see if we could get a set of chains to fit?    but I think a new set of wheels would be better.  



who  has got some ideas?


thanks