Are front tire chains only, O.K. on 4310

[JB4310]

I have heard conflicting answers regarding the use of front chains only on MFWD tractors, My 4310 is equipped with a 72" high volume bucket for snow removal and I have a 72" JD rear blade that will have an extra 250 LBS. on it. I do my driveway and a few of the neighbors, all are part paved and all have steep parts, for the most part I have little problem with traction but some times under the right conditions I will come to a stop, was thinking about front chains only, for the following reasons:
1) cost, compared to rear chains.
2) the fact that with the industrial tires the rims have to be reversed, I think.
3) ease of installation.
4) because I only need a little extra help.
Would want a good H pattern type chain, any suggestions? Thanks John

 

[MikeyB]

John,

I have had good luck with www.tirechains.com. They have a huge selection of chains and quick shipping. I have chains for the rear on my 3320 but haven't had to use them yet.

Mike

 

[prosperity]

I have heard it mentioned a few times that you should not put chains on the front wheels of our smaller MFWD CUTs - saying rear only.
That struck me as a bit weird since if you have chains on the rear only, you are in effect changing the diameter of the rear wheels, but not the front -

But, I have followed this advice, and use rear chains only on my 2210 - simple for me as I run turf tires, and once the chains are on, they stay on until snow removal season is over.

 

[dirtworksequip]

I ran front bar chains on my old JD 870 w/ R1's when we had a 30 inch snow. Only because thats what I had available. Without them I would have been dead in the water. They made the difference in me getting to where I needed to go. I don't know that I would run them all the time, but in a pinch they worked for me. Drawback is they are not going to help in braking,but they do help with steering and front traction.

 

[JB4310]

Thanks for the replies, I know from the garden tractors what a world of difference rear chains make in snow, these bigger CUTS must become bulldozers with rear or all around chains, but in my case with the 4 wheel drive I only need a little extra traction once in a while. with the loaders ability to raise the front tires off the ground it would be a snap to put them on and off, just want to make sure I'm not going to do any damage to the drive train.

 

[JB4310]

Was hoping for some more input on this matter, anyone?

 

[PoleClimber]

I have a JD 670 and have been running front chains for 12 years without any problems. I've plowed out our sub-division dirt roads ( 1.5 miles ) and 7 driveways. I just watch I keep from making sharp turns at high speeds to keep the stresses to a minimum. And don't use the chains unless there's snow. I upgraded to a TC-35 New Holland 2 years ago and I follow the same procedure. The chains I use have the crosschains spaced far enough apart to assist the tire traction and not to have the tire running on chain only. Hope this helps.

 

[Dennisfly]

I asked the same question some time ago and here is the reply I got:

Bronze Member


Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Lake Anna, Virginia
Posts: 66 Re: Do I need tire chains for upcoming winter?

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Some people advocate chains on the front for better control if you are 4wd. Would this suffice instead of the rear? Also, might be less expensive since they are smaller.


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11-26-2004, 09:14 PM #20 (permalink)
JJT
Veteran Member


Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Upstate NY, USA
Posts: 1,023 Re: Do I need tire chains for upcoming winter?

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If you're going to chain up a single axle, make it the rear. Chains on the front only, will do nothing for braking and will put undue stress on the front end.

 

[mlip]

Not sure if there are mechanical considerations, but, the owners manual for my 4300 says NOT to install chains on MFWD models. Cites the possibility of chains hitting other parts of the tractor.

 

[JB4310]

OK some good points, so if I do get front chains (which I probably will) I wont get some huge logger style, I'll just get the reg ladder style so some of the chain falls between the lugs and there will not be a big change in diameter/ratio, and make sure I don't cut the wheel to tight so as not to do any damage that way. thanks, John