Truck tire chains adequate for a tractor?

   / Truck tire chains adequate for a tractor? #1  

Kenn1320

Bronze Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2012
Messages
84
Location
Howell, MI
Tractor
LS2030H
Im looking at tire chain prices and found that my tire size seems to be common with a truck tire. Mine are 33x12x16.5 tires on my subcompact. They physically look like a 33x12.50 my buddy had on his truck. Im guessing the 16.5 is the rim size? Comparing the 2(tractor versus truck) the difference is in the diameter of the chain cross section. I have to wonder why the truck chains, which are cheaper would not work well on a 1500# subcompact tractor? They are listed to be used for plowing snow on a truck and max speed of 20mph. The adjusters are also cheaper. Maybe this is a unique case, due to the common tire size?

Im comparing the Vbar style chain.

Tractor chains: 8.3-24 Tire Chains
$195.39 9.53mm cross chains
Spring adjusters $29.99
Truck chains: 33-12.50-16.5 Tire Chains
$125.16 7.14mm cross chains
Spring adjuster $19.90

Looks like with chains and adjusters its an $80 savings. The cross sectional difference is .094 thousands of an inch.
 
   / Truck tire chains adequate for a tractor? #2  
if it were me i'd spend the extra $80 and get the more heavy duty chains.
 
   / Truck tire chains adequate for a tractor? #3  
The truck chains will work fine. I just converted a very ratty old set of truck v-bars for my DK35 27x10.5-15's. They work great.

If you are considering ladder chains, 2-link ladder are much smoother (and expensive) than 4-link ladders.
 
   / Truck tire chains adequate for a tractor?
  • Thread Starter
#4  
The diamond pattern on New Holland home page looks sweet, but that is not offered in for my tire size unless I go the truck tire route and then its much thinner cross section chain. Even still, my application is much lighter duty then a F350 Superduty truck plowing snow with them.

New Holland USA - Tractors - Agricultural machinery - Combines, etc.
 
   / Truck tire chains adequate for a tractor? #5  
Any chains are better then no chains. The truck chains may not last as long as the chains made for tractors...
 
   / Truck tire chains adequate for a tractor? #6  
I put chains on my dump truck for plowing in the winter. Occasionally I'll rip a cross link off if I spin the tires. But the truck weighs almost 12k and has a lot more power than a sub compact. The V bars have worn down to the point where they are no longer doing much. That's from just driving on frozen gravel in about 5 years. A sub compact shouldn't put anywhere near the wear or force on them. I would be surprised if you didn't get 10 to 15 years (or more) out of a set.
 
   / Truck tire chains adequate for a tractor? #7  
I'd probably do it. Can't think you'll be putting that much stress or wear on them, says the person that doesn't see much snow for winter. :laughing:
 
   / Truck tire chains adequate for a tractor? #8  
As Roy said....

Just keep them tight.
 
   / Truck tire chains adequate for a tractor? #9  
 
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