Thanks for the comments and advice gentlemen. I really appreciate your thoughts and suggestions.
Roy - yes, I know it was my own fault, not JD. I should have ensured there would be chain clearance before I bought the tractor, so it's my own fault. To be honest with you, I loved everything else about the tractor (still do), and it just never crossed my mind that on a real tractor there would not be adequate space to run chains in the winter. I guess the dealer didn't think of it either. Probably because I live in the mountains of Northern British Columbia, and the dealership is down on the coast in Vancouver where they see very little real snow.
As for the chains, I've attached a picture of them. They are an "H" pattern with the welded "V-lug" cross piece. Good chains, although I was disappointed in the way they made them up with the quick links to attach the tails as you see in the picture. That has since been corrected. I have to have them custom made up because none of the JD dealerships in this part of the country sell chains. Which is another reason why they don't know much about them I guess.
And yes, I know I paid too much for them, but it was the only game in town.
I would imagine that all these 2320's are exactly the same, so I'm assuming the clearances on mine would be the same as anyone else. So I don't see how guys are getting away with chains that close to the hydraulic lines - but apparently they are. I crawled under mine and measured the distance from the side of the tire to the hydraulic lines. It's got a total of between 1 1/2" and 2" maximum for clearance. That's awful close as far as I'm concerned. I figure the chains would be missing the lines by 1/2" to 3/4" and that's not leaving much room for error. If the chains were even slightly loose there's going to be a disaster ending up with hydraulic fluid all over the ground.
The rims are the welded type that come with the R4 tires and they are turned the correct way to give maximum stance. Actually, I don't think you could turn these around. If I reversed these rims I suspect the tires themselves would rub on the hydraulic lines.
You are right about the R4 tires being useless in snow. If the snow is just right I can get around enough to get most of the job done, but if the snow is wet or if it's melted a bit and then frozen again to get things icy - forget it. I can't even get it back in the garage!
I have 10 acres of rural property and I thought these would be the best tires for sort of all round use. In retrospect I might have done better to get the turf tires. I suppose that is still an option. I understand the R3 tire uses a different rim that is slightly offset. That, and the fact that with the turf tire you would not require the heavy "H" pattern chain might make a difference.
I think the best way to solve the problem is to correct the basic design flaw on the location of the hydraulic lines. I can't do it right now as it's too late in the season, but I think I'll park it for the winter and then next summer trailer the tractor to some shop that can replace all the metal hydraulic lines with custom lines. There is no reason for the lines to be sticking out like they are. If the lines were properly designed and fitted I think you could get another 1 1/2" of clearance easily, maybe more. I have no idea why JD hung them out the way they did. Very strange. Design engineer must have been sound asleep that day.
I guess the only other options would be wheel spacers or custom rims.
I love the tractor in general. Been saving up for one of these for more years than I care to admit.
Thanks again for the thoughts and suggestions.
