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.

 

[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.