Chains 4WD and chains

[Freds]

In light of the recent storm passing through the northeast, the snow drifting from a different direction and having to move one foot of snow that covered my drive from side to side for the first time (usually the wind keeps my drive semi-clear), I would like to get some chains for next year's winter for my little 7500, which still performed admirably /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
My question: Do those of you with 4WD tractors usually put chains on the front and rear, or just the rear? I just thought of another question: Do chains help traction on water logged fields and mud?

Thanks for any replies.

Fred

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

If you drive into the mud with chains on, they will dig you in deeper. For snow, just put them on the back.

 

[tc35dforme]

I may regret saying this....but.....I run chains only on the front of mt TC35D. I found I needed only a little better grab on the front to aid in steering on my icy gravel driveway. My bud also runs front only on his JD 4510. I have St. Pierre Roller Grips. Hold up and have good traction.

As for muddin'...you'll need some special chains ( skidder style ) to get the traction you need. Regular chains will usually dig a trench.

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> If you drive into the mud with chains on, they will dig you in deeper. For snow, just put them on the back.
</font>

I suppose this could be true in some cases. BUT I have found that chains help me in mud, as compared to not having them.

Now I have R4s and not ag tires, so that could be a difference. But with R4s and no chains, my lugs will fill up with the wet clay we have, and I end up with slicks that take me nowhere.

Now if the mud is soup, then chains or no chains makes no difference, in my limited experience... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Glad I had the loader and backhoe on that time!

Chains on the back of my tractor keep it from breaking into slides on wet grassy slopes. They are a HUGE difference in this case. Experience talking again... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

My rear chains go on in late fall before the first snow, and come off in late spring, after the April showers are done.

Works for me... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Have not tried front chains, but the other day I wished I had some...again in the mud, and again with the front tires filled turned into brown slicks. I could not steer and was in ruts and could not get out because the front wheels would not grab and just slid along the bottoms of the ruts while turned sideways [yes, 4x4 was engaged].

The only reason I got out of there was because I had chains on the rear R4s. It may depend on your soil conditions, but around here chains do make a difference in mud.

Doesn't seem like chains would have helped this guy though...see attachment...sorry, I don't remember who this was...

 

[slowrev]

Based on my experience, I agree with Henro.

 

[Old_Hickory]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> I suppose this could be true in some cases. BUT I have found that chains help me in mud, as compared to not having them. </font> )</font>

I agree with you 100%,I have been running a homemade set of tire chains on the front of my JD 4400 since early January.The chains have helped me tremendously on ice/snow and during the thaws and rain in the mud. I have been log skidding and the woods are a mess.I been in the mud so deep I have pushed mud with the axle,with out the tire chains I would never have made it through,but chains have there limits as well( I know /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

 

[garbageman]

I have never needed chains on my 7500 while removing snow. I have R4's, 4WD and off I go! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[WCarlson]

I use chains fore and aft with my JD 4200 with R-4's. Rear chains alone wouldn't hack my steep driveway with ice or wet snow. We have had over 180 inches of snow so far this season so I get to practice a lot. I haven't been using the chains except in winter, however, there have been times in mud that the extra bite would have been most welcome.
Bill

 

[frank_f15]

in some cases chains are fine(not sure if i would run them on the front) also with mud, depends on the type of mud, just remembe chains are not the answer to all traction problems, some time common sense is best, if its that muddy staay out.

 

[Boondox]

You don't mention the type of tires you run or the conditions on your land (slope, ice, etc) but my conditions are about as bad as they get. 25% slope, major snowfall, and a spring on top of the hill that turns the upper road into a sheet of ice. I run loaded aggies on my L3010, and use chains only on the rear. Granted they are Valby ice chains with gnarly spikes sticking out in every direction, but the front rarely slips given a bit of cautious driving.

As for muddy conditions, absolutely they help...provided there is something under the mud for them to grip! If your mud is bottomless greasy stuff, avoid it. But during mud season I've dragged logs home in goop up to nearly the axles. One other caveat, however. Chains will absolutely destroy your lawn or meadow if you drive across it in muddy conditions!

Pete