4x4 chains - front only

[RickB]

Unfortunately I think the dealers are being very general in their statement. Very likely they don't want to give the precise area of concern

Most dealers who opine on this topic speak from the experience of profiting from their customer's misfortune. The precise "area of concern" is shock loading caused by front and rear wheels spinning and a front chain cross-chain grabbing a frozen, fixed object and shocking the front axle driveline which typically CAN shell the bolts holding the front ring gear to the differential carrier, snap the front pinion shaft, or if one is lucky, split the front driveshaft coupler. Will this type of damage happen to every user of front-only chains? No. But it does happen. It's all about how lucky one feels and how impressed one is with his or her operating skills. And as I stated in a different thread on this topic, tractor brand is immaterial.

A properly design 4x4 drive train will have no speed different between the front and rear axles when going straight, and any micro speed different (like 0.01 %) will be compensate in tire flex.

You would be wrong in making that statement. Almost all MFD axles lead by 1-5% and a very few lag by the same percentage range.

 

[dave1949]

Most dealers who opine on this topic speak from the experience of profiting from their customer's misfortune. The precise "area of concern" is shock loading caused by front and rear wheels spinning and a front chain cross-chain grabbing a frozen, fixed object and shocking the front axle driveline which typically CAN shell the bolts holding the front ring gear to the differential carrier, snap the front pinion shaft, or if one is lucky, split the front driveshaft coupler. Will this type of damage happen to every user of front-only chains? No. But it does happen. It's all about how lucky one feels and how impressed one is with his or her operating skills. And as I stated in a different thread on this topic, tractor brand is immaterial.

Rick, I run very aggressive chains like ATGreen's pic on the rear. I use a much lighter sort of wimpy chain on the fronts for steering control. I operate in 2WD only, gravel drive. Am I risking something?

Thanks, Dave.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Thanks for the informed replies. The idea that shock loading on the front drive train is the big problem rather than unavoidable "windup" makes alot of sense.

 

[RickB]

Rick, I run very aggressive chains like ATGreen's pic on the rear. I use a much lighter sort of wimpy chain on the fronts for steering control. I operate in 2WD only, gravel drive. Am I risking something?

Thanks, Dave.

I would think not.

 

[dave1949]

I would think not.

Thanks, I wouldn't have thought so, but it's worth asking.
Dave.

 

[First one]

There seem to be just as many of you that run chain's on the front as not . I can see how they would help in steering and yes, more traction but at what cost?
Would anyone be honest to tell if you have had any problems or repairs do to using them? I feel that if you guys use them (and for how long)and have had no problems with your front ends ( tire wear?)then maybe its not that bad after all.

 

[k0ua]

There seem to be just as many of you that run chain's on the front as not . I can see how they would help in steering and yes, more traction but at what cost?
Would anyone be honest to tell if you have had any problems or repairs do to using them? I feel that if you guys use them (and for how long)and have had no problems with your front ends ( tire wear?)then maybe its not that bad after all.

I dont know if it is good or bad, but you asked, I ran chains on all 4 wheels all year long for 8 years and 202 hours on my B7500 doing mostly loader work and a little mowing. We have really steep hills here. I had not trouble with the front end, or any leaks. The tires were not loaded. I took them off the day the new tractor arrived, no excessive tire wear. I am not reccomending this, I am just telling you what I did.
James K0UA

 

[dex3361]

With the snow and ice we have had I have chains on both front and rear. I have field chains on the back and 2 link truck chains on the front. I would not run chains on the front only. I would think it would stress the front diff. Really don't have any thing other than gut instinct to base this on though.

 

[First one]

I dont know if it is good or bad, but you asked, I ran chains on all 4 wheels all year long for 8 years and 202 hours on my B7500 doing mostly loader work and a little mowing. We have really steep hills here. I had not trouble with the front end, or any leaks. The tires were not loaded. I took them off the day the new tractor arrived, no excessive tire wear. I am not reccomending this, I am just telling you what I did.
James K0UA

Koua,
Thanks for the input and being honest. It's this kinda info. that is going to let the rest of us know what we my expect if we try them. Hope to hear from more to try and get some feeling Good or Bad about this.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

I am worried that a loss of traction on the rears will cause the tractor to skid sideways or even in a complete circle, which will inevitably dump it off one side of the road or the other.

Any comments on how to prevent this? Or is it even a realistic possibility?

YES!
We had a guy on a John Deere get killed in something similar 2 years ago, one reason why I will not plow the neighbors steep paved driveway with only the BX and not the GL3130.

Story from local paper.
Eugene man dies in tractor accident

David Kb7uns