Best Chain Option for a Specialty Tractor.

[TimberXX]

I have had Italian two wheel tractors for years. They are tough machines, but I am tired of swapping tires. I would like to get a good set of chains for my machine.

Sorry I cant upload a photo from my phone, but it looks like this. Google Image Result for https://nebula.wsimg.com/5c6077efdd57c585259137c71d950593?AccessKeyId=F0C8358C393A3324DE23&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

I do about 95 percent of my work on grass, I keep Turfs on the machine. But some of my work includes work in the woods.

I have reached out to a few companies for custom double ring chains for my machine. I have the clearance for it. The tires are 20x8x10.

Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated.

 

[TimberXX]

I was hoping to bump this message. I haven't heard back from any custom tire chain guys. Does anyone know a custom chain building company.

 

[RickB]

I have used tire chains on tractors for 50+ years. I think double rings are too big for your tire size and the incredibly rough ride(for lack of a better term) would negate the benefits. I would try a pair of two link ladder chains or v bar ladder chains like these.

Tire Chains-2 8. 1

Typical double ring rings are over 2 inches in diameter and are out of scale for your tire size.

 

[compact]

I agree double ring may not be right for this tire. It痴 similar to the front tire of a small tractor, the suggestion to use a double ladder chain (2x the number of cross chains as a single) that fits the tire seems like sound advice. These are available standard for many sizes, ask Google to find vendors. This type of chain is good for forward traction, reverse they partly fall between lugs and loose some effectiveness. Putting chains on and getting them reasonably tight is a bit of a pain also, maybe easier than swapping wheels though.

 

[Smokeydog]

Unique application. Might consider getting a pair of chain pliers, used car chains cheap and then cut/add to make a custom set. Cross bar chains that fit my old Volkswagen come to mine. Doubling the cross chains for ag use.

Have several BCSs. Tough garden machines.

 

[cmyoung2]

I just use cut down car chains for my BCS. Can't remember if I added cross chains, but I don't think so. I do use rubber bungees for tighteners. I'm using them in the winter with the snow blower. My tires are ag tires, foam filled for weight. The chains make a big difference in snow/mud.

 

[BlueKnife]

Tire Chains-2 8. 1

 

[rScotty]

Tire Chains-2 8. 1

I don't think that that type of chain is appropriate for tractors. I'm so old that I go back to the time when most tractors were 2wd, and everyone who had a tractor had chains for the tires. Nobody used that type of chain. You use a diamond pattern that stands above the lugs, not a radial pattern chain that drops down between the lugs. It just doesn't work with ag (R1) or industrial tires (R4). It can't work if it it drops below the lugs.

In fairness, those type of chains are cheap, easy to put on, and easy to modify to fit a tire. I'm sure they work on smooth surface tires like turf (R3) tires or automotive tires. But they don't work on most tractor tires. Use real tractor chains instead and you'll be surprised how well they work.
rScotty

 

[RickB]

I don't think that that type of chain is appropriate for tractors. I'm so old that I go back to the time when most tractors were 2wd, and everyone who had a tractor had chains for the tires. Nobody used that type of chain. You use a diamond pattern that stands above the lugs, not a radial pattern chain that drops down between the lugs. It just doesn't work with ag (R1) or industrial tires (R4). It can't work if it it drops below the lugs.

In fairness, those type of chains are cheap, easy to put on, and easy to modify to fit a tire. I'm sure they work on smooth surface tires like turf (R3) tires or automotive tires. But they don't work on most tractor tires. Use real tractor chains instead and you'll be surprised how well they work.
rScotty

Chain options for a 20x8-10 tires are somewhat limited. 2 link ladder chains will work just fine on that shallow tread.
The tractors you are remembering probably had 28-38 inch rears, double ring chains were the industry standard for decades in that size range. We had one tractor with double ring chains and one with highway (4 link ladder) chains. 34 inch R1 tires.

 

[rScotty]

Chain options for a 20x8-10 tires are somewhat limited. 2 link ladder chains will work just fine on that shallow tread.
The tractors you are remembering probably had 28-38 inch rears, double ring chains were the industry standard for decades in that size range.

Well, I haven't put a chain on since I got 4wd.

But I well remember sizing chain and making ladder link chains into double ring diamond pattern. Doing it yourself the first time takes about an evening in the workshop. Just a couple of hours with a pry par, a vise, and some big pliers to put on extra rings. Or any tractor tire shop can do it for you.

Not exactly rocket science, and a good thing it is simple because the fit on of the chain on the tire is as important as the pattern.
rScotty