Chains: Front vs Rear. Are front Chains bad for tractor

[Oldoak]

I very rarely take umbrage with your posts, yet I have to strongly disagree with this comment. I can break anything, no matter how big or well built it is... and have proven that many times. :embarrassed:
It's much better to know the limitations of your machine, no matter how it's set up. If chains on front keep you from sliding into the ditch, it's much easier on the tractor than beating the snot out of it trying to ge back onto solid ground.

That's all right. We all have our own reasoning and at times difference of opinions. :drink:

 

[Sawyer Rob]

There are parts of AK that don't deal with the ice conditions we do, as a matter of fact we get as much or more snow than a large part of AK.

And there are parts that have more ice, some have more snow, some have both...

Not sure what that proves though?

SR

 

[atsah]

And there are parts that have more ice, some have more snow, some have both...

Not sure what that proves though?

SR

Nor do I, it's something you wanted to talk about I guess since you said "Maine has nothing on AK"..

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Have you ever seen or heard of someone "exploding" the front R&P without chains?

From that would you recommend people do NOT get tractors with 4WD or FWA or whatever?

I've only seen two, as stated above...

As for your second question, you must be having a DOH moment! lol

SR

 

[mcfarmall]

The 2019 New Holland calendar month of February shows a large cab tractor 80-100 hp with a front mounted snowblower and chains on the front only. I report, you decide.

 

[atsah]

The 2019 New Holland calendar month of February shows a large cab tractor 80-100 hp with a front mounted snowblower and chains on the front only. I report, you decide.

I have seen that setup many times. If someone needs chains on all four, it will be because the environment they reside in warrants it. No one wants to go out and spend a pile of cash for something that is a pain in the neck to install and changes the ride for the worse that's not needed.

 

[dnw64]

It's interesting how some posters just get a reputation for how "big and strong" they think they are.

(this is not directed at the immediately previous post, I came into this somewhere on the 2nd page or so)

 

[Jstpssng]

It's interesting how some posters just get a reputation for how "big and strong" they think they are.

(this is not directed at the immediately previous post, I came into this somewhere on the 2nd page or so)

You put that much more politely than I am capable of doing. Some people just have to point out that theirs is bigger and better than mine.

 

[Oldpath05]

Tire chains on front, yes no maybe..... So last year I went the stud route....... Grip Studs Screw-In Tire Studs | Traction in Ice, Snow and Dirt | 1910T Tire Stud

 

[atsah]

Tire chains on front, yes no maybe..... So last year I went the stud route....... Grip Studs Screw-In Tire Studs | Traction in Ice, Snow and Dirt | 1910T Tire Stud

View attachment 592926 View attachment 592927

What do you think of them so far?

 

[arrow]

Putting chains on the front of a light duty MFWD tractor does NOT magically make the ring & pinion explode...

Putting chains on the front and doing heavy work that loads the front for heavy pulling, now that can and does make the front R&P explode. I've done it, and I never abused that tractor either... I also saw some one else do it...

DANG, that was an EXPENSIVE lesson for me! The hundred dollar bills were just flying out of my pocket!!

SR

Exactly. I also did this to the front of my tractor with no chains. Carrying a 1700 lb log. Tractor fronts slipping on a small patch of ice and when it finally hit dirt, pop it went. Fixed mine myself and the $500 ring and the $200 pinion had two weeks left on a 5 yr warranty. Chains on the front or not, I don't think its the constant load (unless the loaded weight is much larger) that does damage but more of the sudden "grip" after some spinning.

The benefits of chains goes beyond traction as they offer a certain amount of protection to the tire as well when doing stuff in wooded and rocky terrain.

 

[Fastball]

I run chains, fore and aft, on my L2900.
We have a 700-foot sloped driveway. There are a few trees on the southwest side of it that keep sections of the drive in shade, causing ice patches. While traction has not been much of an issue, steering control when traversing these patches has been problematic in the past. The rear chains are the usual heavy steel H-pattern type, the front are just light aluminium ladder chains. Never had any front end issues since we got the tractor in the late 90s.

 

[Trillium Farm]

The ONLY chains I would recommend are the Euro type;
Auiline,
Trygg,
OFA's
these style of chains will provide the best traction and ride quality of any conventional style of tire chains.
View attachment 592513View attachment 592514

For sure! I've seen this one and it must work wonders on ice. TRYGG SMT STANDARD

 

[dnw64]

My OFAs are still in the box. With any luck, that's where they'll stay...

 

[Oldpath05]

What do you think of them so far?

The studs help on ice/frozen ground and do feel sharp but IMO not as good as v-bar chains or H-pattern Talons. One big up side is they stay on straight with no bungee cords. Would I put Grip Studs on again instead of tire chains on a small tractor like mine? Until the yes, no, maybe, question is resolved, Yes.

 

[Oldpath05]

My OFAs are still in the box. With any luck, that's where they'll stay...

Old Farmers Almanac, Order for Arrest, Object Free Area, Optimal Flexible Architecture, Oracle Financial Analyzer, Ohio Florists Association, Obama For America.........

 

[dnw64]

Old Farts Anonymous