Chains Chains on 4720 front axle

[beenthere]

Also curious as to how that pivot design would be affected by the use of front tire chains. Any more info?

 

[jgayman]

I have a 4320 Cab Tractor with the John Deere Power Tech engine / 4cyl. Just for information on this style of tractor, the front axle pivots in the oil pan on the aft end and the front pivots on a bolt on yoke.These 2 spindles ride in synthetic plan bearings. Knowing how the front axle is attached I would not put tire chains on the front axle. I had a John Deere 750 that I ran front tire chains on with a front snow blower. I had approx 1300 hrs when I upgraded and assume that 40% of the hrs was snow blowing. The front pivot was very loose when I traded it. I don't want the same thing to happen to my 4320. Just put the tire chains on the rear tires. Later

Did you grease the front axle pivot on your 4320 regularly?

 

[dsb5610]

I use my 4720 for pushing snow around. I don't use chains but there are times they would come in handy. If I were to add a single set of chains it would be to the rear only. I get what oldtimer is saying about load on the front bearing. In a situation where all tires would otherwise be slipping, adding chains on the front only would mean the front axle is pulling the tractor. The front axle is attached via a single pivot point. Something to consider but probably not the reason I would start with rears only. I would want the beefier rear planetary drive doing the pushing vs the front drive train pulling. I understand there is a steering benefit with front chains and I would add those only after I experienced a problem using rear chains.

dsb

 

[Red Horse]

Well I finally picked up a set of chains-10-16.5 2 link. $256. All kinds of them on line for around 200 but the photos show these things would be better suited on a PV, I got these from a local dealer that specializes in industrial tires and chains. these are true skid steer chains ICC brand-and of course, Made in China.

Bottom line I wish I had done this a long time ago. I would have saved a lot of time and fuel when I think of the need to either take smaller passes or "dump" the snow sooner. As to the comments on "pulling" with a front axle or "pushing with a rear axle, no clue-but IMO, I would say the incremental gain the chains give you is just that-the incremental gain you get that keeps you moving. And given the absence of a lot of wheel spin I would say I'm ahead of the game

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I say, put them on the front! It helps your local dealer stay in business, selling parts and of course their techs get more work too!

Why not help your dealer out??

SR

 

[jgayman]

Well I finally picked up a set of chains-10-16.5 2 link. $256. All kinds of them on line for around 200 but the photos show these things would be better suited on a PV, I got these from a local dealer that specializes in industrial tires and chains. these are true skid steer chains ICC brand-and of course, Made in China.

Bottom line I wish I had done this a long time ago. I would have saved a lot of time and fuel when I think of the need to either take smaller passes or "dump" the snow sooner. As to the comments on "pulling" with a front axle or "pushing with a rear axle, no clue-but IMO, I would say the incremental gain the chains give you is just that-the incremental gain you get that keeps you moving. And given the absence of a lot of wheel spin I would say I'm ahead of the game

The 4720 has front and rear trunnion supports on the front axle just like most all 4WD tractors. So whether pushing or pulling it has the same support. I would also be willing to bet that more force is applied to the front axle when using 4WD for things like plowing or pulling heavy objects than ever would be applied in slippery conditions using tire chains. Just imagine the forces involved when using 4WD during the summer to aid in pulling out a stump or pulling your neighbor's pickup truck out of the ditch.

As anyone who uses tire chains in the winter knows, they do NOT lock your tires to the ground and only serve to provide slightly better traction than would bare tires. In other words, chained tires spin plenty easy in snow and ice.

 

[beenthere]

Well said there, jgayman

 

[Red Horse]

The 4720 has front and rear trunnion supports on the front axle just like most all 4WD tractors. So whether pushing or pulling it has the same support. I would also be willing to bet that more force is applied to the front axle when using 4WD for things like plowing or pulling heavy objects than ever would be applied in slippery conditions using tire chains. Just imagine the forces involved when using 4WD during the summer to aid in pulling out a stump or pulling your neighbor's pickup truck out of the ditch.

As anyone who uses tire chains in the winter knows, they do NOT lock your tires to the ground and only serve to provide slightly better traction than would bare tires. In other words, chained tires spin plenty easy in snow and ice.

For sure! I have a Wildkat Grapple. When I grab a 16'x 12+" red oak off the pile and there is no frost in the ground I think that front axle is doing a lot more work then when I've got a blade full of snow. JG- "slightly better traction"..amen, I said "incremental"

and one more thing, my 4720 is a 2007. Any chance the '07's were built without a zerks on the trunions? or I'm blind.

 

[jgayman]

and one more thing, my 4720 is a 2007. Any chance the '07's were built without a zerks on the trunions? or I'm blind.

I've been looking over the Owner's Manuals and parts illustrations and it appears there are no grease zerks on the front axle trunnion. When I made the comment about greasing the front axle I just assumed it had grease zerks. But apparently it does not. There are no zerks shown on any of the parts diagrams for the front trunnions on the 3x20 or 4x20. Lubricating the front trunnion is also not listed on the maintenance schedule - only tightening the thrust bolt. Now, it's possible there are zerks but they aren't mentioned in the manual. It wouldn't be the first time that has happened. I can't imagine those trunnion bushings not requiring lubrication.

Oddly, on the newer 30xxR and 40xxR tractors the construction of the trunnion looks identical except it clearly shows a grease zerk on the front and back of the trunnion and greasing the trunnion is illustrated in the Operator's Manual.

 

[Red Horse]

I've been looking over the Owner's Manuals and parts illustrations and it appears there are no grease zerks on the front axle trunnion. When I made the comment about greasing the front axle I just assumed it had grease zerks. But apparently it does not. There are no zerks shown on any of the parts diagrams for the front trunnions on the 3x20 or 4x20. Lubricating the front trunnion is also not listed on the maintenance schedule - only tightening the thrust bolt. Now, it's possible there are zerks but they aren't mentioned in the manual. It wouldn't be the first time that has happened. I can't imagine those trunnion bushings not requiring lubrication.

Oddly, on the newer 30xxR and 40xxR tractors the construction of the trunnion looks identical except it clearly shows a grease zerk on the front and back of the trunnion and greasing the trunnion is illustrated in the Operator's Manual.

Thx good to know my eyes are not that bad:thumbsup: