Chains 2 Link v 4 Lin Ladder Chains?

[beenthere]

ovrszd
You are welcome to your opinion and I'll stick to mine.

 

[ovrszd]

ovrszd
You are welcome to your opinion and I'll stick to mine.

I just based my opinion about your theory concerning cross links on the fact that the only way the rubber portion of your tire is running on "scratched" surface created by the crossbar would be if you were spinning. I prefer to not spin.

 

[jdonovan]

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,

I would doubt the weight of that machine + chains could do much damage to paved surfaces unless you put the loader against a snow bank and deliberately spun the wheels.

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?
Roy

2 link put twice as much chain on the ground as 4 link. They ride smoother, last longer, deliver more traction and cost more.

Also when you get into fail modes... I can loose a cross chain on a 2 link and have much less compromised traction than with a 4 link setup.

Looks like a set of 4 vs 2 link is about $80 different according to tirechain.com. $80 for increased traction, chain life and smoother ride?

For my applications its an easy choice 2 link.

 

[wvpolekat]

This is easy enough to test. Find a patch of ice, drive over it with chains. Back up, remove chains and try again. I promise you, you will still spin w/o the chains. The chains provide the bite, they do not just rough it up for the rubber.

 

[beenthere]

I just based my opinion about your theory concerning cross links on the fact that the only way the rubber portion of your tire is running on "scratched" surface created by the crossbar would be if you were spinning. I prefer to not spin.

And 95-99% of the time (that is an estimate), I am not spinning.
Also, I leave the chains off most of the winter time, unless the snow is wet and the slush quickly turns to ice (leaving the tires to slip on the ice).
As well, the cross links wear quickly even when not spinning the tire. By just contacting the road will cause wear (running a grader, I'm sure you know that too).
I can afford adding more cross links, but I don't see any reason for needing to improve on the chain set that I have. I've no quarrel with anyone wanting more cross links.

The only time the chain 'bump' is annoying, is when I have one pallet of wood on the 3 ph forks. Usually I just drop the chains off then, or go slow. If I have two pallets of wood, that is enough weight that there is no chain bounce.

 

[Hematite]

This is easy enough to test. Find a patch of ice, drive over it with chains. Back up, remove chains and try again. I promise you, you will still spin w/o the chains. The chains provide the bite, they do not just rough it up for the rubber.

Absolutely correct, and as most have said 2 link is simply better in every way. The slight extra cost is worth it and then some.

 

[ovrszd]

I looked for a better picture but couldn't find one. The picture of the JD2210 gives an idea of how much chain is on the ground with a 2 link design. The grader picture is also of 2 link chain on a much bigger tire. All the tire is doing is holding the shape of the chain.

Sometimes the grader chains will squirm and get the crossbars down into the lug of the tire. You know it by the loss of traction as the weight of the machine starts resting on the exposed tire lug rather than the cross link.

 

[DK35vince]

I'm running 4 link chains front and rear.
I have no need for 2 link chains. I have all the traction I need with 4 link ladders I do not spin.
A few Pics of snow I was pushing this week and no wheel spin.

 

[JB4310]

For OP 4 link chains would be more than adequate, heck I've seen old-timers with just 2 cross links on the whole tire and not have traction problem. That said I can't think of any argument against 2 link except a little extra cost.

First I've heard the chains are supposed to scratch the ice so the rubber will get a bite?

JB.

 

[ovrszd]

I'm running 4 link chains front and rear.
I have no need for 2 link chains. I have all the traction I need with 4 link ladders I do not spin.
A few Pics of snow I was pushing this week and no wheel spin.

I chained all four tires on my old Ford Pickup years ago. I had all the traction I needed too.