Chains: Front or back?

[greif]

Looks like I should get chains for this winter for my tractor. I am putting a plow on the loader, building the brackets right now. yanmar sx3100, 31.5 HP 4wd

 

[lungdoc]

Issue is whether chains put too much stress on front driveline. I think that may be true if use front chains only (as fronts then doing too much of work), I don't think it applies if using all 4 wheels chained - my rationale is there's no more extra grip on the front in that scenario than in using the fronts without chains on firm gravel roads - which nobody thinks twice about. Loader work puts more strain than plow, plow more than blower I think. I chain all 4 without problems, excellent grip. I wouldn't chain fronts only.

 

[greif]

I was thinking rear only for myself. I only have flat land so can use brakes to turn if needed

 

[chim]

When we built here in '89 we started off with a Cub 154 LoBoy. It had a dozer blade and did well with rear chains. The old diamond pattern turfs would barely propel the tractor in snow - without the blade installed, much less pushing anything.

When we paved the driveway in 1992 I replaced the Cub with a small Ford (1210) with R1's and a rear blade. Plenty of traction and it is an amazing little tractor for its size. In 2002 added a Kubota B7500 (FEL & rear blade) with plain R4's. The Ford now spends winters at the church for snow removal and I drive the Kubota there so we have two pieces of equipment to work with.

In 2012 the B7500 was replaced with an L3200 with R4's and last year I grooved all 4 of the tires. Traction was good to begin with but the grooves improved it. Last year was the first with a rear blower and that was fun. That reminds me. I need to get a spare chain and some repair links before it gets much closer to winter. All my snow removal is on paved areas, so chains are something I'd like to avoid.

 

[vtsnowedin]

Issue is whether chains put too much stress on front driveline. I think that may be true if use front chains only (as fronts then doing too much of work), I don't think it applies if using all 4 wheels chained - my rationale is there's no more extra grip on the front in that scenario than in using the fronts without chains on firm gravel roads - which nobody thinks twice about. Loader work puts more strain than plow, plow more than blower I think. I chain all 4 without problems, excellent grip. I wouldn't chain fronts only.

That is a pretty good summery but I would add that some tractors that don't have adjustable tread width do not have enough clearance between the inside of the front tires and the steering linkage especially in a full turn position. Just something to check out before you buy the chains for the front.

 

[jgayman]

The Yanmar SX3100 is pretty much the same tractor as the JD 2720 / 2032R. The clearance on the front steering linkage is very tight. JD sells front wheel spacers specifically for the purpose of creating more clearance for front tire chains. I doubt they would offer chain-specific spacers if they didn't want you putting chain on the front tires.

I've had the spacers on my 2720 since new and use chains on all four wheels every winter.

Below are some photos which show the spacers along with before and after clearance.