Tires Chain front tires only?

otus_branch · Dec 21, 2009

Well, like all the other Mid-Atlantic & Southern TBN'ers, I spent my weekend pushing snow (a little more than a foot in my neighborhood). I mostly use my Arctic Cat 700 4-wheeler with a winch & Moose-brand plow. It worked pretty well (though I may consider chains for it too at some point).

But the point of this post is that I want to be able to use my Kubota L-39 during snows too. Right now, with the R-4 tires and my steep, curvy drive, the L-39 has remained parked during snowy times, ever since I lost traction on the steepest part of the drive and skidded 50' of the way down to the creek, barely regaining traction (by bumping up the gear # and reversing the direction toward the direction of the skidding) in time.

So I need chains. I am considering a set of duo-ladder v-bar chains from tirechain.com (yes, I have read the Customer Service thread on them, and am keeping an eye on it for resolution/new-developments) for the FRONT tires only. Thoughts?

Before posting this question, I searched TBN for chains-posts and read a bunch of them. There were several posts recommending against chaining the front wheels only. Main objections seemed to fall into two areas:
1) the front diff. is relatively weak, and chains will stress the diff. unduly.
2) Your rear-end might slide around on an icy hill, and that would be bad juju.

I think that I could address these issues by (1) being careful when pushing snow to take small bites and not dig into the gravel/dirt with the rear blade, and (2) keep my front wheels pointed up-hill whenever using the tractor. So I would basically be plowing with the rear blade by backing down the drive, then raise the blade and drive back up, then repeat.

I have read suggestions about chaining the rear wheels only instead, and using the brakes for steering, but my two problems with this option are that (1) rear wheel chains are much more expensive for all that extra steel involved, and (2) I'm not sure I want to have to pay attention to brake-steering while in reverse pushing snow with a blade.

I have read that chaining all 4 tires on an 4WD tractor is a bad idea due to the lead/lag of the wheels.

Anyone with thoughts on how front-chains on an L-39 will work and/or suggestions for a better alternative, please chime-in. Thanks,

-otus

CurlyDave · Dec 21, 2009

On my JD 110 TLB the manual specifically warns against chains on only the front tires.

Despite that, I did it anyway last winter and it added a great deal more traction and control.

Obviously it must be kept in 4WD for there to be any braking effect.

The prospect of the rear end sliding around gives me the willies, and I will probably opt for rear wheel only chains soon.

The same chains that fit fit my 2000 F-150 fit my front wheels, so you may be able to locally obtain chains for less than an internet order.

gerard · Dec 21, 2009

I have the duo grips on my rears with R1's. (Ladders would have fallen between the lugs). Went like that for many years but two years ago, after struggling a little in the back pastures due to slopes, I put a set on the fronts too. Was going to get the duo grips but could only find ladder types for my front tires. Not a big deal cause they have a cross chain like every 2-3 inches so plenty of chain. All I do now is kickmyself for not doing this from day one. (Kind of like I did when I got them loaded with rimguard. Should have done THAT from day one also!!) Other than cost, what possible reason could you have for only wanting them on the front? Most of your drive is from the rears. Do you want your front axels pulling more than the rears can push?

Just don't know what only doing the fronts will do for you. You want traction on slopes get them all the way around. Duo grips on R4's would work well.

20 20 · Dec 21, 2009

Ask yourself this, you say you'll save $$$ by buying the smaller front set of chains over the rear. When something breaks how much will you be saving?????? I only use chains on the back and have never had a problem. Been plowing snow with different types of tractors for many moons.

JB4310 · Dec 21, 2009

Have chains for all around but have only been running on front for a couple years now, works great, hope I'm not hurting anything.

Pic taken today.

RickB · Dec 22, 2009

JB4310 said:
Have chains for all around but have only been running on front for a couple years now, works great, hope I'm not hurting anything.

Pic taken today.

It's a crapshoot. Most manufacturers discourage front only chains with good reason. Whether your manufacturer does or not, the potential for catastrophic front drive failure exists, and can happen in a split second of inattention or just plain bad luck.

jdgreg · Dec 22, 2009

I've been running chains on the front only on my JD 4210 for several years now with no ill results. I believe I asked my dealer if there would be any problems doing so, and they said no. I put the chains on as they are very much needed to keep the front end from being pushed around as I have FEL front blade.

As mentioned, using front chains only, you have to be more careful, as the rear will slide around the front end, which can and will lead to some pucker moments. After one or two of those moments this weekend, I ordered rear ladder chains from tirechain.com.

I think if you were spending a lot of time on hard surfaces, or let the tire spin then grab a lot, the chains could contribute to drive line problems. But I've not read of any drive line problems that were directly attributed to chains, though I suppose it's possible.

SPYDERLK · Dec 22, 2009

gerard said:
I have the duo grips on my rears with R1's. (Ladders would have fallen between the lugs). Went like that for many years but two years ago, after struggling a little in the back pastures due to slopes, I put a set on the fronts too. Was going to get the duo grips but could only find ladder types for my front tires. Not a big deal cause they have a cross chain like every 2-3 inches so plenty of chain. All I do now is kickmyself for not doing this from day one. (Kind of like I did when I got them loaded with rimguard. Should have done THAT from day one also!!) Other than cost, what possible reason could you have for only wanting them on the front? Most of your drive is from the rears. Do you want your front axels pulling more than the rears can push?

Just don't know what only doing the fronts will do for you. You want traction on slopes get them all the way around. Duo grips on R4's would work well.

YES! Much better steering control when using a front mount snowthrower. Take them off otherwise.
larry

KubotaSam · Dec 22, 2009

I run chains on all four tires on my Kubota B7100. Have used it for snow removal this way for years without any problems. I have a new house this winter so my driveway is not as steep but I still put all four on. I really think it helps a lot with traction pushing with the loader. Especially because this is not a very large tractor.

fishpick · Dec 22, 2009

jdgreg said:
I've been running chains on the front only on my JD 4210 for several years now with no ill results. I believe I asked my dealer if there would be any problems doing so, and they said no.

Same on my old mans JD - he can't get a decent pair that will fit the rear because of clearance issue - so the front has had chains for many winters now... might even be the same tractor... no issues at all.