Chains and Tire sizes

ChesapeakeBoy · Jan 28, 2020

The tires on a MX series are 12-16.5 . I got them from Tirechain.com

ChesapeakeBoy · Jan 31, 2020

Chains came in today. The went on quite easily.... after I figured out the split link LOL. That being said, they are a full section long. Others have said the same thing. Too long is better than too short! They worked great... traction out of this world!!! I was told that chain tensioners are not required. I ordered them anyway... they came in on UPS after I put the tractor was put away.

LouNY · Feb 1, 2020

Looks good, I know that I can run in 2wd much of the time with the rear chained.
The traction is equal to dry ground.

greenrider1 · Feb 1, 2020

I'm in the same boat right now looking for chains for my L5740, which also has the 17.5L-24 rear tires. Did you end up getting the 17.5-25 chains from tirechains.com or go with the EKO 9? The ones you bought were too long, so you just shortened them? The only European style studded chains I can find that fit my size are the OFA Tapio 11, which are probably a lot heavier than I need. I couldn't even find the EKO 9 on the OFA website, so I have no idea what sizes they come in. The Tapio 9 come in the 17.5-25 size, but not 17.5L-24. The Tapio seems to be very similar, if not the same style as the EKO from the pics I've seen. Not sure if I'm going to chain the fronts yet or not.

ovrszd · Feb 1, 2020

ChesapeakeBoy said:
Chains came in today. The went on quite easily.... after I figured out the split link LOL. That being said, they are a full section long. Others have said the same thing. Too long is better than too short! They worked great... traction out of this world!!! I was told that chain tensioners are not required. I ordered them anyway... they came in on UPS after I put the tractor was put away.

View attachment 639524 View attachment 639526

Very nice!!!

You don't need tensioners on the rear chains because they are properly installed. You definitely need tensioners on the front chains because they are not.

I can't imagine how you could ever need more traction than you have now!!!

ChesapeakeBoy · Feb 1, 2020

greenrider1 said:
I'm in the same boat right now looking for chains for my L5740, which also has the 17.5L-24 rear tires. Did you end up getting the 17.5-25 chains from tirechains.com or go with the EKO 9? The ones you bought were too long, so you just shortened them? The only European style studded chains I can find that fit my size are the OFA Tapio 11, which are probably a lot heavier than I need. I couldn't even find the EKO 9 on the OFA website, so I have no idea what sizes they come in. The Tapio 9 come in the 17.5-25 size, but not 17.5L-24. The Tapio seems to be very similar, if not the same style as the EKO from the pics I've seen. Not sure if I'm going to chain the fronts yet or not.

I got the EKO 9. 17.5Lx24. The are not listed on the Website. Contact Windy Ridge in NH. The were $708... I think. I simply cut 1 section out. They kept asking if my tires were warn. LOL.. They are too long, but no big deal. I like the diamond shape of the ones from Tirechains.com … but these were $200 less and work great.

greenrider1 · Feb 1, 2020

I think they look great and you're probably getting a better quality chain, made in Finland. I remember reading somewhere that the chains from tirechains.com are made in China, but I can't confirm that. Thanks for the quick reply.

ChesapeakeBoy said:
I got the EKO 9. 17.5Lx24. The are not listed on the Website. Contact Windy Ridge in NH. The were $708... I think. I simply cut 1 section out. They kept asking if my tires were warn. LOL.. They are too long, but no big deal. I like the diamond shape of the ones from Tirechains.com … but these were $200 less and work great.

greenrider1 · Feb 1, 2020

I think they look great and you're probably getting a better quality chain, made in Finland. I remember reading somewhere that the chains from tirechains.com are made in China, but I can't confirm that. Thanks for the quick reply.

ChesapeakeBoy said:
I got the EKO 9. 17.5Lx24. The are not listed on the Website. Contact Windy Ridge in NH. The were $708... I think. I simply cut 1 section out. They kept asking if my tires were warn. LOL.. They are too long, but no big deal. I like the diamond shape of the ones from Tirechains.com but these were $200 less and work great.

greenrider1 · Mar 6, 2020

I finally got my OFA EKO 9 studded chains and installed them yesterday on my 17.5L-24 rear tires. I did have to remove 1 section of chain by cutting the links with a die grinder, which was very simple, as ChesapeakeBoy has already mentioned. I just had to get 4 quick links to fasten them back together. I found they were very easy to install by jacking up the back of the tractor and turning the tires to roll them on. I could probably do both sides in about 20 minutes next time around. One thing I should mention for anyone considering these is they will leave small marks on concrete. Luckily my local gravel pit gives away their old conveyor belting, so I lay down a couple strips in my barn to protect the finish. I ordered the chains from Lisco II in Afton, NY and picked them up. I believe it's the only place in NY that carries OFA chains. Great company to deal with. I didn't take any pics of the chains, since there's so many on here already, and they look just like everyone else's EKO 9's.

Wyobuckaroo · Mar 7, 2020

I have run two kinds of 2 link ladder chains on turf tires.. Both V bar and non V bar.. The plain cross links worked well, the V bar works better..

I got the plain set from John Deere, which fit fine the first use.. The V bar set came from a custom maker who works with lots of logging and mining equipment.. They fit well also..

It is always best to use tighteners on any kind of chain set.. I have had a lot of trouble with bungee and all types of rubber tarp tighteners and chain tighteners.. They seem to want to break and the pieces fly past you head.. My best luck has been with homemade tighteners made from a spring, light chain and S hooks..