Chains for 17.5L x 24 R4 Tires

[Hilbilly]

I recently purchased a Kubota L6060 with 17.5l x 24 rear tires (Firestone if it matters) and I'm looking for a set of chains. In the past I've had 2 other tractors with R4's and "H" pattern chains (Duo Grip) but the cross links always work themselves into the grooves between the lugs and the chains become pretty much useless. Last year I tried putting chains on the front tires and couldn't believe how well they worked. I was concerned that with the chains on the front tires doing all the work it might cause some driveline issues so I talked to my selling dealer and was told I am taking a risk by only running front chains. Plus the tractor gets shaken up pretty bad running ladder style chains on the front. I've see lots of threads where guys swear by the Euro style chains made by Trygg (and others) and I would like to get some but can't find a listing for my tire size. I've called several tractor places and can't seem to find anyone that can provide the info I need to get the right chains for my tires. From what I understand the Trygg SMT chains are made to fit specific tires sizes and are not adjustable but the SMT Flexi chains are adjustable.

Can anyone provide part numbers for either the SMT or SMT Flexi chains that will fit these tires?

 

[seville009]

Can’t answer your question, but I use these style chains on the rear tires of my MF1540. Work great for what it’s worth


tire chains-Tractor tire chains-duo grip-v bar

 

[Hilbilly]

Can’t answer your question, but I use these style chains on the rear tires of my MF1540. Work great for what it’s worth


tire chains-Tractor tire chains-duo grip-v bar

What tires do you have R1, R4 or turf? I have the same chains you linked to, except that the links that tie the cross chains together are slightly bigger, and they did very little (almost nothing after they settled in) to improve traction on my previous 2 tractors.

BTW I just got an email reply from TireChains.com and they do not carry the Euro style chains for my tire size. I can't believe this is so hard to figure out.

 

[alkaiser]

I have not purchased from them but it looks like Tire Chains 'R' Us has Aquiline MPC and Talon($$$) chains for 17.5x24... I'm not sure what the difference is between 17.5 and 17.5L. I have an MX5200 and am also on a quest to find chains for this size R4 tire.

tirechainsrus dot com

 

[RickB]

I used Duo Grip chains on R1s with great success. I cannot imagine them not working well on R4s. Therefore I have nothing to offer.

 

[Hilbilly]

I have not purchased from them but it looks like Tire Chains 'R' Us has Aquiline MPC and Talon($$$) chains for 17.5x24... I'm not sure what the difference is between 17.5 and 17.5L. I have an MX5200 and am also on a quest to find chains for this size R4 tire.

tirechainsrus dot com

Holy crap those are expensive chains!!!!!! Something doesn't look right with the pricing for the Talons at $1,728. That particular size is the most expensive chain they list. The 18.4 x 42 is only $1,262!!! How could a tire that is 1" wider, with a circumference (chain length) that is almost 50% more can cost 27% less. Looks like I have the most expensive tires to get chains for. I will keep looking.

If I find something more reasonably priced I will post the info here. If you find something please do the same.

 

[seville009]

What tires do you have R1, R4 or turf? I have the same chains you linked to, except that the links that tie the cross chains together are slightly bigger, and they did very little (almost nothing after they settled in) to improve traction on my previous 2 tractors.

BTW I just got an email reply from TireChains.com and they do not carry the Euro style chains for my tire size. I can't believe this is so hard to figure out.

I致e got R4 tires. My chains overlap the lugs more than enough to not get buried in them. I don稚 have the V bar chains; just regular links

 

[Hilbilly]

I致e got R4 tires. My chains overlap the lugs more than enough to not get buried in them. I don稚 have the V bar chains; just regular links

That's weird. The chains I have now were used on 14.9 x 24 R4 tires and would get buried in most of the lugs. These chains also do not have v bars on them and that could be a large part of the problem I was having with them. The bottom part of our driveway is about 15% and there were times I didn't think I would make it up that section, in 4WD and those chains on the rear. I ended up putting chains on the front and that made a HUGE difference but it also made for a very bumpy ride. Maybe I need v bars.

 

[alkaiser]

Looks like Everything Attachments sells them. 9MM hardened studded chains, Item# NSSC-17524S9 (out of stock of course). $1,257.98 shipped.

 

[seville009]

Picture I have on my phone of the chains on my R4 tires - tractor is behind the skidsteer, but you can zoom in on the tires and see the chains

 

[bullockcm]

As recommended by a number of other TBN users, I went with these chains from Windy Ridge. Excellent chains and customer service from them. You may be able to find a Canadian seller or someone on your end of the continent that would be more convenient to you. Rears fit well out of the box, fronts are a little wide and will need narrowing before I use them.

Windy Ridge Corporation NH (603) 323-2323
Kubota L4240 tire chains
$420 OFA EKO 8 Fronts 10 - 16.5
$708 OFA EKO 9 Rears 17.5L - 24

Link to a good thread discussing these and chains in general.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/402593-tractor-tire-snow-chains.html

 

[FatTire]

I have had good luck with the Duo-grip chains staying up on top of the lugs when I get them tight enough. I had the same 17 x 24L size on my MX5100 as the OP and these days I use that same pair of chains on my L5740. I run a pair of diamond pattern chains on the fronts.

EDIT: BTW, that loose fence is not mine.

 

[Hilbilly]

As recommended by a number of other TBN users, I went with these chains from Windy Ridge. Excellent chains and customer service from them. You may be able to find a Canadian seller or someone on your end of the continent that would be more convenient to you. Rears fit well out of the box, fronts are a little wide and will need narrowing before I use them.

Windy Ridge Corporation NH (603) 323-2323
Kubota L4240 tire chains
$420 OFA EKO 8 Fronts 10 - 16.5
$708 OFA EKO 9 Rears 17.5L - 24

Link to a good thread discussing these and chains in general.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/402593-tractor-tire-snow-chains.html

Thanks for the info. I'm still trying to find a Canadian supplier and no luck so far. Those prices are good too.

I have had good luck with the Duo-grip chains staying up on top of the lugs when I get them tight enough. I had the same 17 x 24L size on my MX5100 as the OP and these days I use that same pair of chains on my L5740. I run a pair of diamond pattern chains on the fronts.

EDIT: BTW, that loose fence is not mine.

View attachment 622404

Looks like a very good setup you have and the rear chains look like the ones I have but mine would always end up with most of the chain buried in the lugs. Maybe it was the particular tire that I had on my previous tractor.

 

[Hilbilly]

I finally found a supplier of Trygg Chains that seemed to know what he was talking about and convinced me that I could use the Trygg SMT chains that were spec'd for a 17,5 x 25 tire. Remember mine are 17.5L x 24. I told him that the Tryyg site only spec's the SMT Flexi for my tire size but he said the SMT's are all they have carried for the last 15 years and that they will work on my tire size but I will need to make some adjustments for get them to fit tight. So I ordered them and they should be here in a couple of days. Sure hope he was right. These things aren't cheap but I'm sure if I can get them to fit I will be very happy with them, especially on the steep parts of the driveway when the ice forms. Now I have to see if they will be good enough on their own or if I will still want to use front chains. I have some vbar ladder chains that work well but the ride is horrible. Afraid I may shake my new tractor to pieces with those on, lol.

 

[Hilbilly]

I finally got around to trying the new chains on and they were way too big for my tires. I guess the chain expert isn't an expert after all. I called him back and told him of the issues. He said I could send them back for a full refund or alter them to make them fit. Of course as soon as I start alterations they are mine with no chance of getting my money back. After a lot of studying the way the chains are made, I decided to make these work. These chains were $1200 CAD and the only others I could find locally in the Euro ice chains were $1900 CAD.

Here are pics.

The second pic shows the lack of clearance between the inside chain shackle and the cab, with the tires at the factory setting. I knew this would be a problem.

There is a metal cover that protrudes from the cab, that protects wires for the tail lights and the rear windshield washer tubing. I removed this and moved the wiring inside the frame work. That gave me another 3/4" of clearance. Still not enough so I ended up removing the wheels/tires and swapping sides to get a wider stance. Holy crap those things are heavy and hard to get on and off by yourself. Especially being loaded with bioballast.

The third pic shows the amount of chain I had to remove to get these to fit my tire and the fourth pic shows the link I had to cut, bend open, relocate and then weld back together. Man this stuff is hard and strong. I had to use OA to get the link red hot in order to bend it open and close again and it was still hard to bend.



The first pic below shows the clearance between the tires and the cab. The left tire is set at the second widest position and the right tire is set at the widest position. I was going to use the widest position but realized that would make the tires wider than my snowblower, so I went with the offset shown on the left. That meant removing the tire on the right and remounting it again. Did I mention those things are HEAVY and awkward to work with.

You can also see that I have draped my old Duo chains on the right tire just to see how they would sit on the new tires. I'm sure I will be a lot happier with the Trygg's.



I also got similar chains for the front tires that were actually made for ATV's but they fit well. My only concern is that they are only 5.5mm and the rears are 9.5mm. That will produce different travel distances between the front and rear tires which may not be good if used in 4WD. I think with these aggressive rear chains that I will not likely need to use 4WD and then all is good. Time will tell. I didn't get pics of the fronts but can when I finally have the need to install them, if anyone is interested.

 

[rScotty]

I finally got around to trying the new chains on and they were way too big for my tires. I guess the chain expert isn't an expert after all. I called him back and told him of the issues. He said I could send them back for a full refund or alter them to make them fit. Of course as soon as I start alterations they are mine with no chance of getting my money back. After a lot of studying the way the chains are made, I decided to make these work. These chains were $1200 CAD and the only others I could find locally in the Euro ice chains were $1900 CAD.

-----SNIP-----

I also got similar chains for the front tires that were actually made for ATV's but they fit well. My only concern is that they are only 5.5mm and the rears are 9.5mm. That will produce different travel distances between the front and rear tires which may not be good if used in 4WD. I think with these aggressive rear chains that I will not likely need to use 4WD and then all is good. Time will tell. I didn't get pics of the fronts but can when I finally have the need to install them, if anyone is interested.

Hibilly, did you ever figure out anything about how the chains changed the front/rear tire travel distance? Could you feel any driveshaft windup in 4WD?

Ever since I did some tire swapping years ago I've become real curious how different kinds of tires - and chains - can affect the different travel differences between front and rear tires.

BTW, for anyone who just getting into this side of tire talk, the travel distance we are wondering about is usually called out in tire manufacturer's tech specs as "loaded rolling circumference", or sometimes just "rolling circumference" or RC. Rolling Circumference is the distance a tire actually travels over the ground. It's a measured number rather than a calculated number because it takes into account the weight of the load and the flex of the sidewall and therefore based on the shape of a flattened oval rather than a circle. When measured, rolling circumference ends up being larger than circumferences calculated arithmatically from diameter or loaded radius to . In fact, the difference can be big enou to affect the tractor's drivetrain. Especially the front driveshaft and U joints.

On hard ground, it's easy to measure RC from a tireprint with a tape measure, but the number can be way off in soft surfaces like mud or snow. And even more so with chains. That makes for an interesting puzzle.

rScotty

 

[Hilbilly]

Hibilly, did you ever figure out anything about how the chains changed the front/rear tire travel distance? Could you feel any driveshaft windup in 4WD?

Hard to tell if I'm getting any driveshaft windup. It doesn't seem to be any harder to take the tractor out of 4wd than it does in the summer, when running on mud or loose gravel. I find with the aggressive rear chains I don't need to use 4wd often, or at all but I definitely need the front chains to help with steering, especially when the plow is angled hard. The other day I was plowing snow uphill on the steepest section of the driveway and didn't realize that it was in 2wd until I got back the house and went to take it out of what I thought was 4wd.

 

[nyone]

That small amount of chain dif front to back is not going to matter.

If it really would then you would need the same amount of cross links front to back also.