Chains 2 Link v 4 Lin Ladder Chains?

[Royboy]

I am looking at one of these types of chains for my B2410's rear wheels. They 31x15.50 x 15 and are a sort of Ag/Turf tread that are fairly aggressive treads. I will need to go up and down some asphault paved driveways from time to time and don't want to tear the pavement up, but I also want and need better traction the next snow (no matter how many years from now) than I had for this recent snow. How much better are the 2 link than the 4? Or would I have noticeable improvement with the 4 link? Is there a clear choice here?
Thanks!
Roy

 

[Sam Mac]

I have 2 link V bar chains from tirechain.com on my BX2660. I use them on black top and have not had any problems. If I get wet or icy snow they get the job done. Hope this helps.

 

[Egon]

On smaller tires the four link may ride pretty rough. The two link ride smoother.

 

[arrabil]

I have two links without v-bars and they are VERY stable in the snow/ice except sideways downhill. And that would probably be fixed with v-bars. And they ride nice. I would not go with 4-links myself.

 

[DHD]

I have 2 link, they provide very good traction and do not harm the cement floor in my garage.

 

[JB4310]

I have several sets of 2 and 4 link spacing, with and without V bars, on 4 different machines.

No big difference that I notice between the 2 and 4 link spacing as far as traction goes, just a little bumpy with 4 link spacing on hard packed surfaces.

If you live in southern area of infrequent heavy snow, as you kinda alluded to, then if the four link chains are much cheaper, you could save some money and still have all the traction you need.


JB.

 

[2720wes]

I needed chains for the big snows but since winters like this are rare I didn't want to spend too much money so I got the 4-link ladders for $136. They make a huge difference. The deep snow and hills are no longer a problem.

 

[beenthere]

I made mine 5 link. I don't find them to be any less traction, in fact I think they actually cause better traction. The cross link is just there to scratch out the slippery surface of the ice/snow and give the rubber tire lugs a good surface for traction. If the surface is good traction for the rubber, then more cross chains just get in the way.

The extra wear on all the cross links just means more expense...and chains wear fast on hard surfaces, including ice.

 

[JoeL4330]

as stated, 4-link bumpy, 2-link not so much ...but, check the weight ...if it's 2-links are so daunting that you would hesitate to put them on when (before) needed, then accept the bumps.

 

[ovrszd]

I made mine 5 link. I don't find them to be any less traction, in fact I think they actually cause better traction. The cross link is just there to scratch out the slippery surface of the ice/snow and give the rubber tire lugs a good surface for traction. If the surface is good traction for the rubber, then more cross chains just get in the way.
quote]


Sorry to disagree but your logic isn't accurate. The cross link provides all of the traction. The rubber is just a method of forming the chain links and applying their traction to the drivetrain of the tractor.

2 link chains aren't twice as good as 4 link, but they are close to that. Then factor in the ride quality and they are worth the cost difference.

I doubt that many posters here ever wear out their chains. But if you do, then 2 link chains will last considerably longer than 4 link because of decreased wheel spin.

I run 2 link V bar chains on my JD2210. It will not spin the rear tires more than half a rotation before killing the engine when on my snowy/icy gravel driveway. That kind of traction can't be duplicated with 4 link chains. And that's the type of traction I'm after.

As to the five link idea. If you use your chains hard and expect long life it's not a good idea. If you look at the picture, every other cross chain is hooked in the wrong side link. The side links are intended to run with one link flat with the side of the tire, the next link cross wise with the side of the tire, etc., etc. When you hook cross links in an odd numbered spacing every other one is pulling on the side link wrong. This twist will eventually wear the side links to the point they break. Again,,, I'm talking about hard, long use. I run a 250hp 45K lb grader. If I tried that my chains wouldn't last more than a couple days before they started breaking the side links.