sources for quality front chains?

[TractorTYMe]

john,
did those chains arrive? still waiting here
if so how do they look?

I'll unpack and make a video on the theme of chains for my TYM Tractor channel, I'll post some pictures after production this weekend. Been in no hurry to throw them on as I barely have snow cover on my driveway.

 

[John_Mc]

I'll unpack and make a video on the theme of chains for my TYM Tractor channel, I'll post some pictures after production this weekend. Been in no hurry to throw them on as I barely have snow cover on my driveway.

If you haven't already seen it, this is the video on Bluejay's site about installing the chains. It's a little different set-up than the OFA Eko chains I have on my tractor rear tires.

 

[TractorTYMe]

If you haven't already seen it, this is the video on Bluejay's site about installing the chains. It's a little different set-up than the OFA Eko chains I have on my tractor rear tires.

Yes, but there are NO videos on a review of Aqualine MPC chains to my knowledge. I've mounted chains for decades on stuff, I want to make a video tailored to TYM and the low fender clearance.

 

[LouNY]

Well I just watched the video for the Bluejay chain installation.
I will have to say I was NOT impressed, he will need tensioners with his installation. When he fastened the inside he went in the 4th link, when he fastened the outside he went in the 3rd link, those chains will be trying to walk to the inside.

His method of laying the chains out next to the tire was the old fashioned way of mounting chains, with the light weight of that size chain it isn't a hard lift, the pair of chins is only about 30 pounds.
The OFA EK 08's going on my little tractor with the 15-19.5 tires are over 120 pounds for the pair so 60 pounds each which would be certainly do able but not worth it to me.

So I'll be using a rope V to walk the chain around the tire, if the backhoe is still mounted I'll be lifting the tire and rolling it around instead of driveing it on should result in the same ease of mounting.

Now the OFA EK 09's going on the NH 8160 are 260 pounds for the pair so 130 each getting to be a bit more awkward to sling around and not get all tangled.

 

[John_Mc]

I got the new square-link, diamond pattern chains mounted on my Honda Pioneer 520. They JUST made it on, but once on, the fit is very good. (as noted in an earlier post, the Wesco site recommended the size I bought, the guy at Bluejay thought that size would fit, but normally recommends the next size up.) The guy at Bluejay says they normally do not run these with chain tensioners/bungies.

On my tractor with the OFA Eko 8 chains, I normally drive them on with a rope tied to the rim, as Lou suggests. For chains of that size and weight, that is the easiest method I've found to put them on.

These chains were light enough that I decided to follow the procedure shown in their video and see how it worked out. I think with chains this light and on a vehicle I can easily push around by hand, this might be the quickest way. By leaving the UTV in neutral, I did not have to climb in and out at all: just drape the chains, push the UTV forward the amount shown in the video, and hook things up.

I should have done one their way and one with the drive-on method to compare. I guess that will have to wait for next year.

 

[thclimer]

I got the new square-link, diamond pattern chains mounted on my Honda Pioneer 520.

View attachment 838451

On my tractor with the OFA Eko 8 chains, I normally drive them on with a rope tied to the rim, as Lou suggests. For chains of that size and weight, that is the easiest method I've found to put them on.

These chains were light enough that I decided to follow the procedure shown in their video and see how it worked out. I think with chains this light and on a vehicle I can easily push around by hand, this might be the quickest way. By leaving the UTV in neutral, I did not have to climb in and out at all: just drape the chains, push the UTV forward the amount shown in the video, and hook things up.

I should have done one their way and one with the drive-on method to compare. I guess that will have to wait for next year.

Those look like they fit nice and you should have awesome traction on any slippery surface!

 

[LouNY]

G

I got the new square-link, diamond pattern chains mounted on my Honda Pioneer 520. They JUST made it on, but once on, the fit is very good. (as noted in an earlier post, the Wesco site recommended the size I bought, the guy at Bluejay thought that size would fit, but normally recommends the next size up.) The guy at Bluejay says they normally do not run these with chain tensioners/bungies.

View attachment 838451

On my tractor with the OFA Eko 8 chains, I normally drive them on with a rope tied to the rim, as Lou suggests. For chains of that size and weight, that is the easiest method I've found to put them on.

These chains were light enough that I decided to follow the procedure shown in their video and see how it worked out. I think with chains this light and on a vehicle I can easily push around by hand, this might be the quickest way. By leaving the UTV in neutral, I did not have to climb in and out at all: just drape the chains, push the UTV forward the amount shown in the video, and hook things up.

I should have done one their way and one with the drive-on method to compare. I guess that will have to wait for next year.

Good looking chain, good luck with them.

 

[ultrarunner]

I cobble together what I need from garage sale finds… the $4 or $5 please take them away deals especially at moving sales.

Many only used once if at all… Campbell is a old time brand I come across a lot.

 

[MTGreen]

I got the new square-link, diamond pattern chains mounted on my Honda Pioneer 520. They JUST made it on, but once on, the fit is very good. (as noted in an earlier post, the Wesco site recommended the size I bought, the guy at Bluejay thought that size would fit, but normally recommends the next size up.) The guy at Bluejay says they normally do not run these with chain tensioners/bungies.

View attachment 838451

On my tractor with the OFA Eko 8 chains, I normally drive them on with a rope tied to the rim, as Lou suggests. For chains of that size and weight, that is the easiest method I've found to put them on.

These chains were light enough that I decided to follow the procedure shown in their video and see how it worked out. I think with chains this light and on a vehicle I can easily push around by hand, this might be the quickest way. By leaving the UTV in neutral, I did not have to climb in and out at all: just drape the chains, push the UTV forward the amount shown in the video, and hook things up.

I should have done one their way and one with the drive-on method to compare. I guess that will have to wait for next year.

I'm curious what you have parked next to your Pioneer -looks maybe amphibious?

 

[John_Mc]

I'm curious what you have parked next to your Pioneer -looks maybe amphibious?

My apologies to @fishhead for the topic drift...

There are two antique Coot amphibious articulated ATVs in the shop next to the Honda. Quirky machines, but a lot of fun.

They are 4WD with no differentials (the front and rear axles are solid, driven by worm gears), so all 4 wheels turn the same speed all the time. The articulation keeps all 4 wheels on the ground all the time. Combine that with 11" ground clearance and a smooth belly, and it was tough to get them stuck. They'll walk right up a 45˚ slope. They are not fast. 20 MPH top speed, and frankly, you probably don't want to go that fast on anything but smooth ground: the only suspension is the air in the tires (which are generally run around 5 or 6 PSI). They are not very maneuverable. That lack of differentials means the turning radius is rather large. Later Coots improved on this by offering 4 wheel steering as an option. Both of mine have been retrofitted for 4 wheel steer. It helps a good bit, but even with it, they don't turn on a dime.

In the water, they would go about 2 MPH, but an optional propeller outdrive boosted that speed to about 5 MPH.

These pictures are not of my Coot. The guy who did the 4W Steer conversion on one of mine had this beautifully restored Coot

This picture shows the articulation, which keeps all four wheels on the ground even in very uneven terrain: