Best chains for DK40SE

[finspop]

Coyote Machine, I did ask, but they were very non-committal. They don't want me blaming them if there's any damage.

Vtsnowedin, good idea. I'll see what that would take. I don't want to push 'em out too much, because I'm in the woods a lot and the further they're hanging out, the more likely they'll get damaged... I put a small crease in one of them yesterday, actually. Of course, they are just fenders, and it is just a tractor, after all.

 

[Kioti Tom]

Don't have to move tires out, raise the fender I think he was saying. I did that on my 8N to give me a little more clearance when I had a larger tire on the rears. Got tired of the lugs hitting my fingers, I usually grabbed the fender edge when I turned around to check behind me. It worked!:thumbsup: It never hurts to check at least.

Tom

 

[finspop]

Right, now I see that he did say "up."

Makes sense. I'll check on that. Moving them out, so that the fender lip is beyond the outer edge of the tire, definitely won't work. I have my wheels set wide (essential for our hilly property), and I'd have to move them out about 6-inches. Ain't gonna happen.

But up... up might work.

 

[whistlepig]

I called Aquiline before I ordered my chains. They recommend 5" clearance between the top of the tire and fender for their chains. I only have 3 1/4". I like my chains snug. Some folks like their chains a little loose. I think if I did a lot of travelling in high gear on the road my 3 1/4" clearance would be a problem. But I only use the chains when clearing our 800' gravel driveway and around the outbuildings. Not saying the Aquiline's would work on your tractor cause tractors are different. Just sharing my experience.

 

[vtsnowedin]

Yes I did say "up". It would be very hard if not impossible to move a tire out far enough so the inside side chain was not directly under the the flat top of the fender. Not my original idea, I got it from one of the JD dealers I shopped with that said they often set fenders higher to get clearance for both chains and over-sized tires. Just passing that on to you here.

 

[finspop]

I did look at the possibility of moving them up; it would require a lot of modifying. Many holes to be drilled, etc, etc. Probably more than I want to get into.

Still looking at options, still seeking advice. Any dealers have experience with chains on this tractor?

Thanks to everyone for all the help.

 

[vtsnowedin]

I was looking at my new tractor today at the dealers shop. They are still hooking up the third function hoses to the second rear scv and haven't moved the tires out or loaded them yet. I have about four inches between the top of the new R1s and the flat top of the fender and an inch less on the curled down edge that will be over the middle of the tire as I'm going to have them set it. If it bothers I'll get that edge cut off cleanly and add a rubber extension. Reading the owners manual online from a link given to me by a member here I find that they say not to put chains on the front of a 5045E as they will strike and damage the tractor. I checked out that possibility today. As the tractor now sets with narrow (as shipped) front end if you turned the wheels sharp and dropped the loader bucket into a hole you might get the arm pistons to rest on the front tire tread. With chains on and a turning tire that would not be good. As I'm having them set out and don't plan on digging any deep holes with chains on I think I can avoid any such clashes but I'll have to try it out to learn what limitations I have.

 

[finspop]

vtsnowedin, that's what I'm starting to think... I'm gonna cut the fenders and put some sort of rubber gasket/strip along the cut edge. That way, I can run whatever chains I want without having to worry about it.