Studded vs chains

[Tvanharp]

I have rear chains on my L4330 agricultural tires. Most of the chain just sits between the lugs.
Need to plow a 1/2 mile driveway with steep grades so traction is critical.
I'm looking at screw in studs for next winter. Was looking at the maxigrip studs http://www.maxigripstore.com/categories/Tractor-Tire-Studs/.
any thoughts/experiences?

 

[rockshaft]

That link is broken for me.

I've installed studs in knobby tires before and they worked wonders for icy conditions. I was surprised I didn't have any trouble losing any either. I've had the same experience with chains- if you have a deep lug they can be almost useless.

 

[Reg]

I have rear chains on my L4330 agricultural tires. Most of the chain just sits between the lugs.
Need to plow a 1/2 mile driveway with steep grades so traction is critical.
I'm looking at screw in studs for next winter. Was looking at the maxigrip studs www.maxigrip.com/tractor.
any thoughts/experiences?

I went for the dou-grip pattern, see the Peerless chains web site, order through tractiontirechains.com
I can't show it in text, but it is a pattern somewhat like an "H" with an equals sign in place of the cross bar.
US manufacture, free (I should say "included") shipping and very price competitive with Chinese chains imported by the OTHER well known tire chain web supplier.
They actually sent me engineering prints for the two sets that I was considering for two different tire sizes, which helped me decide to get the longer set and figure what to cut out for the smaller tires - replaceable again for the R4s - I switch between R4s and turfs on that tractor.

If your concern is ICE more than SNOW then a cheap solution is sheet metal screws.
They are (relatively) softer, but may last a season or two and probably tear up concrete and blacktop a lot less than tungsten tipped studs or chains.
It would be a cheap way to run a good (enough) trial.
I will probably use sheet metal screws in the front tires next season, the R4s can handle snow well enough, ice can be "problematic" for the front tires though and steering is something I have grown used to (-:

PS The link is broken, but isn't worth fixing.
Their prices are WAY out of line with reality.
Get thee to the hardware store for sheet metal screws (-:

 

[arrow]

I have rear chains on my L4330 agricultural tires. Most of the chain just sits between the lugs.
Need to plow a 1/2 mile driveway with steep grades so traction is critical.
I'm looking at screw in studs for next winter. Was looking at the maxigrip studs www.maxigrip.com/tractor.
any thoughts/experiences?

If you are using side tensioners on your chains, take them off. You won't need any other type of chain. They may look like they are between lugs at the top of the tire but once you relax the fitment chain to tire, the chain , as the tire comes around and down, falls beyond the lugs and is the first thing to make contact with the ground. And yes, the chain will stay on.

 

[David P]

Winter 2011:

Tires (14.9-28) were about 1/2 loaded. Tractor would barely make it up a very gentle slope.

Winter 2012:

Tires fully loaded (beet juice) and set of Trygg studded tire chains installed. I am now able to make it up much, much steeper slopes while pulling a 7' blade with materials.

I found my chains with one seasons wear on them for $400.

 

[crazyal]

If you were going to use sheet metal screws then I would say there's a savings to be had but once you get into the Maxigrip (and others) screws then you start to get into chain money. Looking at the Maxigrip website you're going to be spending several hundred on studs.

Chains are heavy but can easily be removed. Are you OK with leaving the studs in all summer long?

I have a pricier set of chains that have studs welded to the chains. They are 3/8" in diameter and about 1/2" long. When going down the steep hills they really bite into the ice and dig a little up. I'm not sure if studs would do that unless you left them sticking out of the tire some. But then that could be an issue in the summer.

 

[Tvanharp]

Wow! Thanks for all the info!
We have a 1/2 mile dirt/gravel driveway with slopes that a studded 4x4 has trouble with when it gets slick. I have the chains on tight, was thinking to loosen them up that may help. I have the H style chain now but they are smooth and don't bite that good on ice. Was thinking the studs would be nice but yeah the price is up there. Never drive on asphalt or concrete so they should last a good while. I think what I really need is something for the front tires. Perhaps the sheet metal screws would be a good cheap trial.
Also the chains were way to long so I need to cut them down, got all kinds of bungees and ratchet straps holding them on.
Used to live in town so this all a new learning experience. Thanks again for the info.

 

[Tvanharp]

Here is the correct link, sorry about that.
http://www.maxigripstore.com/categories/Tractor-Tire-Studs/

 

[Chilly807]

I've had excellent success with these chains, made by Tellefsdal...

The guys are right about them needing to be loose to work the best, Tellefsdal recommends that you be able to put a clenched fist between the side chains and the tire. Much better traction, less chain and tire wear, and smoother running on hard surfaces.

I think I'd be most concerned with losing screws or studs during the winter and then finding them with my car tires. A few ruined tires quickly adds up to the price of a good set of chains.

Sean

 

[Jay4200]

I have rear chains on my L4330 agricultural tires. Most of the chain just sits between the lugs.
Need to plow a 1/2 mile driveway with steep grades so traction is critical.
I'm looking at screw in studs for next winter. Was looking at the maxigrip studs Tractor Ice Studs - Tractor Tire Studs - Tractor Snow Studs | Maxigripstore.com.
any thoughts/experiences?

Is it dirt or asphalt? If it's dirt, you don't really need the carbide studs - regular ice screws would probably work just as well for less dough. I never put screws in a tractor, but I have put them into a couple of dirtbikes before - I use hex-head zip screws from my local HVAC place. The screws cost about $15/thousand - cheap experiment, if nothing else.

I'd imagine they'd make a big difference on ice - the traction available on a bike is astounding.

JayC

 

[Phil48]

Without studded chains, my little 26hp couldn't climb that hill, having those up front also give excellent steering. Studded chains are very good up here, without chained-studs, no so much... I only try on the rear tires with ice studs, there're not as effective. Same for Regular chain, without stud - no much of a difference

Phil

 

[Tvanharp]

I've had excellent success with these chains, made by Tellefsdal...

The guys are right about them needing to be loose to work the best, Tellefsdal recommends that you be able to put a clenched fist between the side chains and the tire. Much better traction, less chain and tire wear, and smoother running on hard surfaces.

I think I'd be most concerned with losing screws or studs during the winter and then finding them with my car tires. A few ruined tires quickly adds up to the price of a good set of chains.

Sean

Where did you get the tellefsdal chains? Found their site but its German or something. Also, and this is off topic, what is that turnbuckle you have connected to the lower link of your 3 pt?

 

[Chilly807]

Where did you get the tellefsdal chains? Found their site but its German or something. Also, and this is off topic, what is that turnbuckle you have connected to the lower link of your 3 pt?

I got them from my Kubota dealer, Nova International. I think Tellefsdal is Norwegian, although they do have some dealers in the US. Someone here found them in the States. I can't remember who it was, try a search on TBN for Tellefsdal. Aquiline Talons are the same chain I think.

The turnbuckle is Kubota's version of a telescoping adjustable arm to control the width of the 3-point hitch. They get mixed reviews, although I've had no problems with them.

Sean

 

[David P]

My Trygg chains are Norwegian too and look quite similar to the Tellefsdahl and Aquiline chains.

 

[Tvanharp]

OK thanks, I didn't realize at the time I bought my chains how many different styles there were. Wish I had looked into that a little more before deciding to "save" a couple hundred by NOT getting them from Kubota.

 

[arrow]

OK thanks, I didn't realize at the time I bought my chains how many different styles there were. Wish I had looked into that a little more before deciding to "save" a couple hundred by NOT getting them from Kubota.

European chains are expensive. They are excellent chains for ice but you can do almost as good with just v-bar chains that you can get for the fronts. If you are dealing with no ice, then keep what you have and just loosen them up some. Another alternative if you did not want to chain up the fronts is to get some v-bar cross link chain from TireChains.com. Fasten several of these to your regular chain if you need more traction for icy conditions. These guys are very helpful once you explain your needs.

 

[Phil48]

7mm or 5/16 studded chain.

Heavy studded chain (5/16) offer great protection and traction in deep wood area. But I got the light version witch are 7mm thick.

http://www.walcoequipment.com/file/walco_tire-chain.pdf

The light version is desing for snow removal and road work, it's the version I got. The other is great but it's an all purpose heavy duty version.

So far with the 7mm version my concrete floor still look nice!

Phil

 

[RobertH]

Chilly, Just wondering where you sourced your studded chains? I am next door to you in NB. My newly-acquired JD will not reverse back up my only slightly-sloping driveway in current conditions, which is a layer of glare ice under new snow. Had to extricate myself using the bucket. I tried studs but still no dice. Those aggressively studded tire chains look like the answer.

cheers
Rob

 

[Chilly807]

I got them from Nova International in Windsor, NS. I've had them for 3 years and they're holding up well. They sell them under the brand name Norse, model is Super Tractor. I've been pretty happy with them on snow and ice.

Sean

 

[Green Acres Homestead]

I got them from Nova International in Windsor, NS. I've had them for 3 years and they're holding up well. They sell them under the brand name Norse, model is Super Tractor. I've been pretty happy with them on snow and ice.

Sean

I deal with nova international and they are exceptional. I bought TryGG chains from them and man they are wicket. I run up the road and sometimes a link will break the odd time and putting links in are a pain so I am thinking about going with studs. Would studding all 4 tires be as good as chains just on the back tires?