Snow Attachments Tire Chains for my tractor?

RayJavu · Nov 28, 2014

Not really an attachment but I still hope you can help.
I'd like to put tire chains on my tractor because when I plow my road, I get some slipping going uphill. I thought I'd just try chains on the front to start with and if they solved my slipping problem I wouldn't have to spend the big money for rear chains. Any thoughts? Experiences?
Thanks,
Ray

tractchores · Nov 28, 2014

I would do the rear only. They will solve the slipping problem. Chains just on the front will have traction problems when pushing and stopping on ice could get very exciting (tractor will want to flip around). The rears are what you really want as that is where all the weight is. I think front only will be dissapointing.

Wolfy · Nov 28, 2014

Yes, the rears are much better. I have a Kubota that has been leaking out of the front axle seals since new. I think front tire chains ruined it. The dealer has replaced the seals 3X and they still leak.

RedNeckRacin · Nov 29, 2014

Wolfy said:
Yes, the rears are much better. I have a Kubota that has been leaking out of the front axle seals since new. I think front tire chains ruined it. The dealer has replaced the seals 3X and they still leak.

HAve you replaced the front axles fluid with gear oil instead of hydraulic fluid? JD and Kubota put hydraulic fluid in the front axles and hubs. I had a dealer suggest to me to change it before it starts leaking.

I ran front chains on my L3400 for a couple years now for some snow plowing and I have had no problems. I do think that the traction will be much better chaining up the rears, just be prepared to use the split brakes to steer.

Ray, there are a ton of tire chain threads, I'd start browsing them to see what you think.

RoyJackson · Nov 29, 2014

I'd also suggest putting chains on the rear tires only. The drive axle and gearing is more robust then the front gear.

As far as keeping the tractor straight...use the split brakes (if your tractor has them). A tap on the left or right steering brake is about all you need.

Ole Orange · Nov 29, 2014

Wolfy said:
Yes, the rears are much better. I have a Kubota that has been leaking out of the front axle seals since new. I think front tire chains ruined it. The dealer has replaced the seals 3X and they still leak.

Sorry off topic but...I can try to find the part # they make a front axel vent that stops pressure in the from axel I installed one this summer and not one leak since!! Had been leaking both sides as well as drive shaft seal. You would think Kubota would let us in on these things part was $20.00 bucks from Kubota.

Wolfy · Nov 29, 2014

RedNeckRacin, I think the owner's manual specs 80/90W gear oil. I will have to dig that out and check. And Ole Orange, I did not know there was a vent available. My drive shaft seal is dry, at least. The fluid level does not go down very fast. The front tires are always oily, more than anything.

RedNeckRacin · Nov 29, 2014

Wolfy said:
RedNeckRacin, I think the owner's manual specs 80/90W gear oil. I will have to dig that out and check. And Ole Orange, I did not know there was a vent available. My drive shaft seal is dry, at least. The fluid level does not go down very fast. The front tires are always oily, more than anything.

I know that my JD and Kubota manual both spec Hy-guard and UDT to be put in. I'm swapping them out when the temps allow free flowing again with gear oil.

Boondox · Nov 29, 2014

I have Norse ice chains on the rear of my L3240, and they provide excellent traction on my steep often icy road. The front, however, skitters around quite a bit, especially at the end of my driveway where I go from flat and level to a 28% downslope. I've been thinking of adding V-chains to the front just to help those R4s get a bit of a bite in those conditions.

joeyd · Nov 29, 2014

I run 4-link v-bars front and back with no issues other than a bumpy ride until I get a little base down on the driveway. My driveway and portion of the community road I take care of can get icy and the front end used to move around quite a bit until I chained it up. Most of my work is with a 3pt 68" Meteor snow blower but I do use the FEL from time to time.

Wolfy · Nov 29, 2014

I will say, I have been on ice that stops regular chains. The V-bars really grip like a bear paw.

Tony H · Dec 12, 2014

maybe this should be a new Thread but here goes:
What weight , if any, do you have in the rear to help with traction? Do you hang any big weight off the Cat 1 hitch?

DIXIEDOG · Dec 13, 2014

I run Talons and they are a great chain....make sure you get studded ice chains that make contact around the entire perimeter or your tire and not a chain that leaves a large void between links
The pics aren't great but they'll give you an idea

These are the type of chains I would avoid....I bought this set the first time because they were recommended by the local tractor dealer and the price was much lower than an ice chain....for my tractor I think they were a bit over $350 and I was told the old International would be "unstoppable" with them ....they were fine until there was any hard pack...get on hard pack and they would start to slip in the void area and then would just slip and slide until I came to a stop again....the chains sucked for snow removal

On the Kubota BX 1860 I used a ICC diamond V-bar chain designed for an ATV/UTV and they work great....if you're dealing with a small tractor they are tough to beat and very inexpensive

Tony H · Dec 13, 2014

DIXIEDOG said:
I run Talons and they are a great chain....make sure you get studded ice chains that make contact around the entire perimeter or your tire and not a chain that leaves a large void between links

On the Kubota BX 1860 I used a ICC diamond V-bar chain designed for an ATV/UTV and they work great....if you're dealing with a small tractor they are tough to beat and very inexpensive

ICC, is that the company? I cannot find their website.
Security Chain Company, I think, makes the chains for many rebranded companies

RoyJackson · Dec 13, 2014

Tony H said:
ICC, is that the company? I cannot find their website.
Security Chain Company, I think, makes the chains for many rebranded companies

Here you go:
Aquiline Tire Chains

whistlepig · Dec 13, 2014

Aquiline Talons work very well. A picture of mine.

DIXIEDOG · Dec 13, 2014

RoyJackson said:
Here you go:
Aquiline Tire Chains

Yep Roy nailed it for the manufacturer of the Talons.

The ICC chains were the diamond ATV chains...International Chain and Cable | ICC | Tire Chains | Industrial Chain, Hooks, and Cable | Cargo Control Products

I purchased my chains from Union Farm....they are a local place but their prices beat all the online places when I purchased my Talons and my ATV chains

Tire Chains at Union Farm Equipment | Union, ME

Tony H · Dec 14, 2014

THANKS for the manufacturers

JKR · Dec 14, 2014

I use Tire chain on my 1025R front and rear

skyhook · Dec 17, 2014

DIXIEDOG, those chains you first had that were no good for you,,
is what was given to me with the purchase of my JCB, I haven't installed them yet and may not,
but I was thinking, what about if I added Vbar strips of chain in "the void" area, there's a link there that could take a strip of Vbar chain, what are your thoughts on this?