Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Any negative thoughts about putting tire chains on front only

[TractorTYMe]

T474 has not a whole lot of room for aggressive chains in the rear due to fender space. I went with DUO239-2CR from Duo Tractor Tire Chains | Free US Shipping and they are the ones pictured in my previous post. The ultimate would be these studded talon chains 43/16.x2 AquilineTalon Tractor – Tire Chains by TireChainsRequired.com

But I don't know if they'll clear fender or not.

 

[LouNY]

Well I guess I'll just keep repeating myself;
if you need chains for traction get the Aquiline Talon style.
There is no comparison of this style of chain for traction and ride quality.
On frozen ground or snow pack the traction will be almost the same as hard gravel or even better,
The ride is the best of any style of chain,
at low speed it is no different then rubber only,
at high speed you will hear noise on dry pavement, no bouncing or jarring.
For those that wish to run front chains on some of the smaller tractors look at utv/atv chains
in the same or similar patterns.
The clearance of the Euro style chains is the same or sometimes a bit better as any others.

As far as chaining up just the front;
yes it could put more wear on the front.
However it would not be loading or working it any harder then using max force while
digging or carrying heavy loads on hard surfaces in the summer.
To my thinking the conventional style chain with its grip and slip action and
vibration would be rougher on the front axle then the Euro style.

Also a great many people seem to be concerned about the side loading of their front end loaders,
add chains to the front and you will increase it more.

I normally just run rear chains on my snow removal tractors,
if a major ice storm is forecast I will often get out and mount the fronts,
If my front end is getting pushed I'll just use a bit of brake steer.

 

[RickB]

Where the OP is there probably is a lot of ice and is in the mountains so i would be worried about lack of steering control .
Too, if the rear of the tractor ends up unweighted you would have an issue with Braking esp downhill. I once took a ride with rear chains only on a paved drive when waiting for new fronts to arrive a day or two later. not worth the risk. The difference in confidence is similar to going from summer tires to really good snow tires or studded snows. I have to agree 0 wheels or 4. If 0 then i would think about some Koldkutters. Using just the fronts might stress the drivetrain in a way that's not intended and if not in 4 wheel braking would be non existent. This part of the country has far worse traction issues than most of the northern US.

Well I suppose that's your experience. I used rear chains only for 45+ years in NY and they worked well enough for me. I took over a couple driveways that that the truck guys couldn't clear in a major event and never had an issue for the dozen years after that.

 

[BrkMstr]

Thanks folks. I posted hoping to learn from your experience and I have, thanks.

Steering control is my issue. I have weighted rears and carrying a heavy woods box blade for weight. Front likes to take off to one side while pushing an angle blade. Always seems to be ice under the heavy wet snow... I can take off layers at a time though an avoid that to a point. Plus I already have some truck chains that fit already.

So...any suggestions on where/what chains to buy for the rear?

I do not know what tires you have, but I ran into the same issue with my R4's - I decided to grove mine prior to getting chains, the grooving made a world of differance - have no issues, front wheels would loose traction when I put blower down, after grooving turning is no issue. There is thread that talks about grooving - for most it's worked out well - take a look at it, it may be an option

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I would lean towards rear chains and using your split brakes to steer.

I don't have chains, but I'm on flat ground with filled rears. I use my split brakes all the time when pushing snow, especially if I'm driving on a layer of ice.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Any negative thoughts about putting tire chains on front only

I think you should do it, your TYM dealers parts dept. needs your business too!!

SR

 

[fishhead]

That's very possible, there are so many variations on machines, tires, surfaces and weather. I consider my r4's to be worthless for winter traction here. One issue that makes things worse for me is 1000lbs of blower hanging off the back of a tractor that is about as small as i would want to put it on.
Too, in this area and i believe around chewelah there is a lot of wet snow and protracted cold so ice stays longer than many places I had seen in the Northeast when i lived there and traveled for work for a living. Where were you in New york? there's huge variety in the severity of winter conditions there.

Well I suppose that's your experience. I used rear chains only for 45+ years in NY and they worked well enough for me. I took over a couple driveways that that the truck guys couldn't clear in a major event and never had an issue for the dozen years after that.

 

[fishhead]

Matune, There is a Trygg dealer/distributor in bonners ferry, somewhat close-they may have a solution though when i checked the pricing was sporty.

I got some OFA chains from Windy Ridge Corporation - Products that are low profile and give great ride and good traction on pavement but might not be aggressive enough for packed ice on dirt/gravel the price was quite good. They have some more aggressive euro style options.

 

[Matune]

Thanks folks.

I’ve always used brakes to steer and chains on my 1954 John Deere 60, this year I decided to update a few years.

This is the first time I’ve had a 4 wheel drive tractor and so far it’s doing great without any chains. This particular tractor appears to have a strong front end but I know from four wheeling in Jeep’s that too much traction on the front axle usually means I get to replace parts. So thought to ask before doing something silly....which is my usual technique ....

Happy 2021! (I hope)

 

[Matune]

Thanks for this! I used to haul freight up there to Trygg 30 years ago! Glad to hear there still in business.