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Super Member
Putting chains on the front of a light duty MFWD tractor does NOT magically make the ring & pinion explode...
Putting chains on the front and doing heavy work that loads the front for heavy pulling, now that can and does make the front R&P explode. I've done it, and I never abused that tractor either... I also saw some one else do it...
DANG, that was an EXPENSIVE lesson for me! The hundred dollar bills were just flying out of my pocket!!
SR
Exactly. I also did this to the front of my tractor with no chains. Carrying a 1700 lb log. Tractor fronts slipping on a small patch of ice and when it finally hit dirt, pop it went. Fixed mine myself and the $500 ring and the $200 pinion had two weeks left on a 5 yr warranty. Chains on the front or not, I don't think its the constant load (unless the loaded weight is much larger) that does damage but more of the sudden "grip" after some spinning.
The benefits of chains goes beyond traction as they offer a certain amount of protection to the tire as well when doing stuff in wooded and rocky terrain.