Put my Chains on Today

   / Put my Chains on Today #41  
Sounds good, kco...I plan on arc welding a few nipples or buds on the chain surface for a better "ice" grip.
 
   / Put my Chains on Today #42  
This is my second winter with chains and tensioners for my BX. They are working flawlessly, still in the canvas bag waiting for snow. Amazing how they work. When it does start snowing I probably won't be able to find them in my cluttered shop that seems to lose things that aren't touched seasonally.
 
   / Put my Chains on Today #43  
The rear rims of my JD also has those square 1/2" holes. I welded up some chain links to 1/2" bolts that I installed in the holes. This gave me anchor points so I could run some stabilizing chain to the side links.I do not run them tight, just enough to offset the chain to clear fenders.....
Two years ago I lucked into some old truck chain and made up some chains for the front but never bothered installing them until now.....WOW, can't believe the difference. Our property is all hills, rock and bush. Normally once it snows I am restricted to the main roads and level trails that I keep cleared. This year I am travelling almost anywhere I wish and skidding out poplar logs and firewood thru a foot of snow. With a chunk of log on the forks I can even haul another four 16' lengths on the trailer...
 
   / Put my Chains on Today #44  
The rear rims of my JD also has those square 1/2" holes. I welded up some chain links to 1/2" bolts that I installed in the holes. This gave me anchor points so I could run some stabilizing chain to the side links.I do not run them tight, just enough to offset the chain to clear fenders.....
Two years ago I lucked into some old truck chain and made up some chains for the front but never bothered installing them until now.....WOW, can't believe the difference. Our property is all hills, rock and bush. Normally once it snows I am restricted to the main roads and level trails that I keep cleared. This year I am travelling almost anywhere I wish and skidding out poplar logs and firewood thru a foot of snow. With a chunk of log on the forks I can even haul another four 16' lengths on the trailer...

And I thought I was the only one with that (bolt in square hole with short chain welded on it connected to the side chain idea) and thought Kubota was the only tractor that had those square hole's in the rim.
I here a lot about tight fender clearance's, my L3400 has a good 3 inches of clearance and I thought that was close. My chains don't hit until a link breaks.

I guess your not in the (no chains on front group). The dealership where I bought my tractor, Kubota, and probably some on TBN, say NO NO NO NO chains on front of tractor, the front wheels are only for assist, and don't use it unless you really really need it, the same with diff. lock on the rear wheels, I heard people say don't use that unless you really really need it, or I'll brake the trans. it's only for ASSIST. I bet even Kubota doesn't recommend studded chains on the rear tires of their tractors. I'm beginning to think that 4x4 tractors are more ATV then a tractor, and/or are made to stay in the hay field.
 
   / Put my Chains on Today #45  
The rear rims of my JD also has those square 1/2" holes. I welded up some chain links to 1/2" bolts that I installed in the holes. This gave me anchor points so I could run some stabilizing chain to the side links.I do not run them tight, just enough to offset the chain to clear fenders.....
Two years ago I lucked into some old truck chain and made up some chains for the front but never bothered installing them until now.....WOW, can't believe the difference. Our property is all hills, rock and bush. Normally once it snows I am restricted to the main roads and level trails that I keep cleared. This year I am travelling almost anywhere I wish and skidding out poplar logs and firewood thru a foot of snow. With a chunk of log on the forks I can even haul another four 16' lengths on the trailer...

It sounds like we have similar ground conditions and came about our front chains in the same way (modified truck chains), and we have the same opinion of front chains. They make a huge difference. I did consider others' opinions about running front chains. My dealer recommends front chains and runs them himself.

I generally don't use 4WD unless I get slippage in 2WD or I need better turning ability. My front chains are 2-link ladder so there is little slippage. However, if chains are slipping and grabbing it is better to ease-off a bit to eliminate the shock. In very wet, deep snow I sometimes notice the front wheels start to "stutter" because they grip so well in the cement-like snow. Just by easing up a bit on the HST that changes to a smooth pull.
 
   / Put my Chains on Today #46  
I put the chains on today. This type chain is supposed to be sloppy so it can walk around the tire. You are supposed to be able to fit your balled up fist between the side chain and the tire sidewall when they are right. But after 8 years mine were getting really to sloppy. I had to cut off 2 links of length (circumference) to get them back where they should be.

Out of curiosity I wondered how much wear that was. If each link had 10 thousands (.010) worn off at each end it would account for little more than 2 links worth of stretch around the tire circumference. Seems reasonable for 8 years I guess.

Ever since I was knee high to a grass hopper, when it came to putting on tire chains, Tight is Right, but after 7 years of crooked chains, I decided to take your advise, which means that saying about (old dogs) is not always true. The first 3 pics. are from last year.






As of the middle of January, I was beginning to wonder if I was gonna use my tire chains at all this season, but after 2 big storms and one on the way, my tire chains have never stayed on this straight this long. Here are some pics. of my chains this year, I put them on like you said, Sloppy, didn't even begin to get them tight, my fist fits inside the chain near the bottom and on the side. boy it's hard to type and watch the game at the same time.





 
   / Put my Chains on Today #47  
That is strange, could it be (in the first pics ) that you didn't have bungee straps in the middle of the rims.
 
   / Put my Chains on Today
  • Thread Starter
#48  
Hey that is great. Reduced frustrations are always good.

But don't give me any credit. As I said before I was just repeating the instructions that came with my chains. They clearly stated that the chains should be mounted loosely so they could hang and walk around the tire.

Man that was a good game. I have been around for all 49 of them and that was one of the best. The outcome was right too. We had a lot to prove IMO.

gg
 
   / Put my Chains on Today #49  
Man that was a good game. I have been around for all 49 of them and that was one of the best. The outcome was right too. We had a lot to prove IMO.

gg

It was a good game right up to the end. The Hawks gave it away with one of the worst play calls in history. Hard to agree with you on the 'right outcome' considering the NFL is still trying to decide if the Pats cheated the previous game
 
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   / Put my Chains on Today #50  
That is strange, could it be (in the first pics ) that you didn't have bungee straps in the middle of the rims.
Strange is right, I tried using 6 short side chains from the rim to the side chains, that just made straight tire chains stay tight, and get tighter, but then they break every time I move the tractor. I tried those spring and chain tighteners, that just made straight tire chains stay snug until use, then the chains still went crooked, so I ended up with snug crooked chains, not to mention there a pain putting those things on.
 

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