L3301 snow chains

[Gordon Gould]

What I've done over the years as mine either stretched a bit or the tires have worn (probably both) is to use a bolt cutter to remove two links at a time in the side chains, between two cross chains. Once those are out, I replace them with a single screw type quick link. That shortens the side chain by one link.
If I ever need to lengthen the chains, it's simple to add another quick link.

I like that method of shortening ! Simple if you only need to remove less than a whole section which would be the case to take up wear with time.

FWIW this photo was in the instruction sheet for the set of OFA EKO8 front chains I bought this year. I had not seen it before in the two other rear chain sets I have.



gg

 

[Chilly807]

As I recall, there was a similar pic in the instructions that came with my Tellefsdal chains. They said the chain "should be loose enough to travel 30-50 cm around the tire per km traveled" or words to that effect. They warn that if the chains are too tight, tire and chain wear will result. Mine are smooth running and "jingly" on hard surfaces, though the feel is a bit squirrelly compared to bare tires on pavement.
This is the quick link method I've used to shorten side chains. Note the "puddle" of slack chain under the tire. These are looser than they need to be at the moment, tomorrow I'll pick up a few more quick links and tighten them a bit. They still don't try to come off the tire, even as loose as this.

 

[Garandman]

A lot of people have these chains on this size tire, so today when it was sunny and warm (18) I took a look at the chains and found several issues.

The right chain had a twist where you marry up the two ends. As a result there was an extra link on that side. Several shackles on the left side were attached forward or back of where they should have been.

By untwisting the chain, moving the shackles and pulling out excess slack, I was able to remove a couple extra twist links inside and outside on both chains.

So now I the appropriate amount of slack and no bungees.

 

[Gordon Gould]

:thumbsup: Sounds good. It's good to have things the same on both sides if you want to have them stay centered.

gg

 

[John_Mc]

A lot of people have these chains on this size tire, so today when it was sunny and warm (18) I took a look at the chains and found several issues.

The right chain had a twist where you marry up the two ends. As a result there was an extra link on that side. Several shackles on the left side were attached forward or back of where they should have been.

By untwisting the chain, moving the shackles and pulling out excess slack, I was able to remove a couple extra twist links inside and outside on both chains.

So now I the appropriate amount of slack and no bungees.

Is that a "before" picture (in post #63)? It still looks as though you've got a twist in that chain. Some of your studs are facing in to the tire. It looks as though it could be corrected by unhooking the left link, passing it up amd over and back down through the hole in the center before reconnecting.

 

[Garandman]

Is that a "before" picture (in post #63)? It still looks as though you've got a twist in that chain. Some of your studs are facing in to the tire. //.

Yes.

//It looks as though it could be corrected by unhooking the left link, passing it up amd over and back down through the hole in the center before reconnecting.

The twist links go together a particular way to be fastened. Basically you put a half twist in before you connect them, then theuntwist and lay flat. Nothing difficult about it, once I had daylight.

 

[FreedomFamilyFarms]

Garandman,

It looks like you grooved your R4s before adding chains. Anecdotally, how much improvement did the grooves add to the R4s and how much more did the chains add? I’m in Northeast Indiana and only get a really good storm maybe once a year. I clear 1/4 mile of gravel with a rear blade on a Kubota B2710 with loaded rears. Had a lot of trouble slipping this weekend in drifted powder.

 

[Garandman]

Huge difference. Much better in the woods, much more power to push.

 

[rt014]

I have the Euro style chains on front and back. My backs have slack in them - no problems. My fronts need to be kept tight as humanly possible or they go off-center. A real PITA in sub zero temps and 'production' comes to a standstill When I finally get them to their sweet spot and tight the fronts kick *** and make a world of difference. I run the back chains year round for traction in the woods. The fronts only in snow and ice.

 

[Garandman]

I知 officially very glad wefit chains this season. Had a fridge delivery, and the truck spun his rear wheels into the ditch trying to come up the last part of the driveway. Hooked up a tow chain and pulled him up the last bit no problem at all. One very happy driver: putting a guy from FL in a box truck with worn tires didn稚 seem like a recipe for success, though.

Think the rears are tensioned just about right now that I fiddled with the links.