I realize this warning will probably be ignored, because it is lengthy and
because there are a bunch of folks out there that have used front tire chains
and have never had any problems, but here it goes anyway.
A Kubota tech called me a couple of days ago
to answer a guestion I had posted on the Kubota web site about
discrepancies in my Kubota Manuals, on an electrical issue.
While I had him on the phone I asked him about useing front tire chains on my B7800,
to help improve the lack of steering traction on ice, and that I already had
2 link ladder chains on my rear tires for traction.
I also asked him about front tire chain use without rear tire chain use.
He didn't believe me when I told him I had read of folks just putting chains on the
front tires only.
He said Kubota could not recommend front tire chain use, even if rear tire chains
were used too, because chains on front tires could damge
the gears in the front axle assembly.
(Although the following is not his exact words,
this is my understanding of his explination,
why front tire chains are not a good idea)
The majority of traction is meant to come from the rear wheels,
that is where the larger gears and larger tires are,
and they where designed to be able to transfer all power to the ground.
The front wheels (in 4 wheeldrive) are meant to assist the rear wheels, if needed.
The smaller gears in the front axle assembly were not designed for very large torque loads,
and could be damaged if placed in a situation where they could be overstressed.
Front tire chain use could cause overstess to the front axle assembly, especially
if more weight is placed on the axle, like in loader use.
Front tire chain use without the added traction assistance of rear tire chains
could be even more stressful for the front axle, because now it could be tasked to transfer the
power that the rear tires (without chains) may not be able to apply due to lack of traction.
Two local Kubota Dealers in my area don't recommend front tire chain use either,
because they have seen the damage front tire chain use can cause the front axle assembly.
I was thinking of using front tire chains too, just to improve my steering traction on ice.
I really don't believe chain use for steering traction improvement
would produce the stress needed to cause front axle damage,
especially while I had my rear tire chains for added traction.
But what if I want to use my loader, am I going to remove my front tire chains for the short period
I'd be using my loader, then reinstall the chains when I completed my loader task.
Probably not.
So for me, eventhough steerng traction on ice is a hassle sometimes,
it's not worth the risk of the hundreds of dollars in front axle damage repair
that I might incure.
Here is the Kubota site if any Kubota users out there are interested in asking about front tire chain use:
Kubota Tractor Corporation - Contact Us
I heard back from them in less than a week, on my posted electrical question.