Chains for Wet Heavy Snow

[Garycw]

I just saw where the OP lives. Don't really know why he needs chains with an annual snowfall of 14-16". Sometimes we get that amount or more per snowfall.

While he's not in the snow belt, I'm sure there's some good snows there, not to mention below 0 temps.
Last cpl years in SE KY we got clobbered a few times. Unusual weather seems to be the new norm. Luckily it's not as bad as NE

 

[Garandman]

OP, have you considered grooving your R4's? They are an improvement, with no downside, with a lengthy thread on here. I wouldn't even consider chains if I didn't have to get in the woods: they are great for plowing.

These are 15-19.5.

 

[joeyd]

I have been using 4 link v-bars on all 4 tires since I bought my TYM 353 and love them. A little bumpy while riding but no slipping on packed snow or ice. They do eat up the shop floor hence the OSB to park on. I keep the tensioners on and the cross pieces have never slipped between the treads. Tirechains.com has been a pleasure to deal with.

 

[Garycw]

In very snowy regions a blower is sometimes the best option, with less snow a blade is better & faster. Without weight & chains, you're not going anywhere

Tirechains.com has been my best resource for any & all tire chains. Good prices & fast ship.
I've never had to use tensioners.
They're helpful if in the garden too.

 

[varmint]

Garycw, I respectfully disagree- I don't really need chains until there is ice or icy conditions. But I would second Tirechains,com... they were good when I bought my first set of chains and didn't know squat.

 

[tkcomer]

Snow around here is kinda sporadic. And it is pretty windy around my place. I get drifts about 30 feet into the driveway from the road. I can have grass showing in the yard and have a 2 foot drift 10 yards long in front of the garage. If the snow is dry, keeping it from drifting is a big problem. But most of our heavy snows are wet.

 

[Garycw]

Garycw, I respectfully disagree- I don't really need chains until there is ice or icy conditions. But I would second Tirechains,com... they were good when I bought my first set of chains and didn't know squat.

That may very well be in your case. I have a lot of hills and personally need the chains to get around. Especially pushing snow with turf tires on the cub3205. It's still sometimes a challenge even while using the diff lock. That's in ohio.
The JD1025 hasn't had snow duty yet and may be different. I still have a set of 4 chains ready for it if needed. That's in KY with even bigger hills in places

 

[tkcomer]

Actually, I'm hoping if I buy chains it will never snow again. This global warming has to kick in sometime. But I think I'll go with the duo ladder style. I'm going to put them on the rear and see how they do. I like my hydro tranny, but I miss being able to use the brakes for tight turns. My brakes are the type that kicks the cruise off when you touch them.

 

[Egon]

Some wind blown drifts can get pretty hard. Makes a set of chains feel real good as they wear through the hard pack.

 

[kco]

kco, I have the same chains as you (that came with my machine), I haven't used them yet "because", they need to be modified, I have "5" links in between the "H" pattern making for a wide "H". And one link between each "H". I noticed on yours that you have "3" links between the "H" and one between the "H's", I'm thinking on reducing my "5" links to "3" like yours and possibly bumping up the "H" to that single link like you did in your mods. My question to you is, how do you find the ride now and do you leave your chains on all winter or just throw them on when needed.

The ride and traction are much better. Before the modification you could feel the chains slip and grab between the patterns. I bought a chain tool and it took a day or so to make the modifications. I install the chains in early December and leave them on until mid March.

If you decide to add patterns try to find a local supplier who builds chains and purchase bulk patterns. It was about 1/2 the price compared to ordering patterns from CanadianChains.ca. You will end up with a lot of spare cross hooks and side chain pieces when take the DUO patterns out of the bulk chain to add them to your existing chains. I used the spare pieces to make tensioners as shown in my earlier post in this thread. Here is a link to a thread about modifying the chains:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-chains-planned-modifications.html?highlight=

I also prefer the pin coupler (rather than ordinary screw-type link or shackles) for closing the tail end of the chain to the start.