Chains Chains on 4720 front axle

[Red Horse]

Well guys we had a total of 15" of the slickest snow you can imagine here in Central Mass last two days. I have R-4's, loaded tires and a 550 pd weight block but I spent lot of time spinning my wheels on this stuff. I'm pushing a 6.5' Fisher plow.

Anyone have any experience with chains on front axle?

Attached shot is of my plow set up- older blade, not the "new" junk yard fisher I have now

 

[beenthere]

Have a JD 4300 with a 7' plow, and often run with chains on the front wheels. Not on in this pic of the plow.

 

[jgayman]

I have a 2720 and have run chains on all four tires for the past 7 seasons. I tried it at the beginning of last winter without chains and the experience is not one I want to repeat anytime soon. Lots of time spent spinning R4 tires and going nowhere.

 

[Red Horse]

thx for responses guys. Guess I'll have to start maybe with the front axle. Usually not a problem but like I said this snow was like grease.

 

[LouNY]

Chains on the front axle can be a conversation issue, some people will warn that you will break your front axle.
The Euro style studded chain will provide superb traction with no jerking or rough riding as is common with ladder chains.
Tractor Tire Chain - Aquiline Talon | Free US Shipping
Tractor Trygg SMT Flexi Studded Alloy Tire Chains | Free US Shipping

 

[Red Horse]

Chains on the front axle can be a conversation issue, some people will warn that you will break your front axle.
The Euro style studded chain will provide superb traction with no jerking or rough riding as is common with ladder chains.
Tractor Tire Chain - Aquiline Talon | Free US Shipping
Tractor Trygg SMT Flexi Studded Alloy Tire Chains | Free US Shipping

Thx Lou-and I hear you on the "conversation" issue. I have to say that the price on those chains makes me think twice. Plus I plow my own asphalt drive plus about 500' of common drive that I just did over with millings. Not worried about those studded chains on the millings but I think they would be a killer on my asphalt. I have an old set of cross links hanging in the barn-I just may cut them down and see what happens.

 

[LouNY]

Thx Lou-and I hear you on the "conversation" issue. I have to say that the price on those chains makes me think twice. Plus I plow my own asphalt drive plus about 500' of common drive that I just did over with millings. Not worried about those studded chains on the millings but I think they would be a killer on my asphalt. I have an old set of cross links hanging in the barn-I just may cut them down and see what happens.

Just a quick comment, my driveway is gravel/dirt so I have no problem without a doubt.
But were I clean out on the town road is newly paved 2 years ago and I have seen noevidence of chain damage,
also on the farm tractors 2 of them get several miles of pavement daily and we have not seen any damage,
this style of chain increases your grip so much that you will seldom spin which is what will mark up your pavement,
I was amazed when I went with this style several years ago.
The price is enough to almost choke on your coffee untill you use them.
Good luck with your endeavors.

 

[beenthere]

I have seen little evidence on my concrete or asphalt black top drive using regular ladder chains on the fronts.
Being on R4 tires, enough of the cross links are below the surface that there is no bumpiness to the ride. Just sayin.. my 2cents.

Don't need the chains for traction all the time, but when a layer of wet snow gets iced over and packed, then the chains slip just enough to remove that layer to recover traction.
Or if deep snow, the chains churn down enough to clear that snow to get traction. Some winters, the snow conditions are cold enough that no chains are needed. I like snow in weather than never gets over freezing.. It's the "just above" freezing snow that causes me to lose traction with the R4's.

 

[oldtimer 66]

I have a 4320 Cab Tractor with the John Deere Power Tech engine / 4cyl. Just for information on this style of tractor, the front axle pivots in the oil pan on the aft end and the front pivots on a bolt on yoke.These 2 spindles ride in synthetic plan bearings. Knowing how the front axle is attached I would not put tire chains on the front axle. I had a John Deere 750 that I ran front tire chains on with a front snow blower. I had approx 1300 hrs when I upgraded and assume that 40% of the hrs was snow blowing. The front pivot was very loose when I traded it. I don't want the same thing to happen to my 4320. Just put the tire chains on the rear tires. Later

 

[Red Horse]

I have a 4320 Cab Tractor with the John Deere Power Tech engine / 4cyl. Just for information on this style of tractor, the front axle pivots in the oil pan on the aft end and the front pivots on a bolt on yoke.These 2 spindles ride in synthetic plan bearings. Knowing how the front axle is attached I would not put tire chains on the front axle. I had a John Deere 750 that I ran front tire chains on with a front snow blower. I had approx 1300 hrs when I upgraded and assume that 40% of the hrs was snow blowing. The front pivot was very loose when I traded it. I don't want the same thing to happen to my 4320. Just put the tire chains on the rear tires. Later

O'66 Please elaborate-not sure how the the chains would have a negative effect on the axle pivot points. Plus as they are so easy to put on and off, my plan would be to use only when needed. I plow with a Fisher plow but check out the picture I posted. That blue pipe is a piece of sch 40 pipe that is welded to the lift arm- I simply roll arm forward and pipe makes contact with plow a frame lifting front end off ground. Very easy to put chains on/off. B y the way also great for back blading away from garage doors

 

[beenthere]

Also curious as to how that pivot design would be affected by the use of front tire chains. Any more info?

 

[jgayman]

I have a 4320 Cab Tractor with the John Deere Power Tech engine / 4cyl. Just for information on this style of tractor, the front axle pivots in the oil pan on the aft end and the front pivots on a bolt on yoke.These 2 spindles ride in synthetic plan bearings. Knowing how the front axle is attached I would not put tire chains on the front axle. I had a John Deere 750 that I ran front tire chains on with a front snow blower. I had approx 1300 hrs when I upgraded and assume that 40% of the hrs was snow blowing. The front pivot was very loose when I traded it. I don't want the same thing to happen to my 4320. Just put the tire chains on the rear tires. Later

Did you grease the front axle pivot on your 4320 regularly?

 

[dsb5610]

I use my 4720 for pushing snow around. I don't use chains but there are times they would come in handy. If I were to add a single set of chains it would be to the rear only. I get what oldtimer is saying about load on the front bearing. In a situation where all tires would otherwise be slipping, adding chains on the front only would mean the front axle is pulling the tractor. The front axle is attached via a single pivot point. Something to consider but probably not the reason I would start with rears only. I would want the beefier rear planetary drive doing the pushing vs the front drive train pulling. I understand there is a steering benefit with front chains and I would add those only after I experienced a problem using rear chains.

dsb

 

[Red Horse]

Well I finally picked up a set of chains-10-16.5 2 link. $256. All kinds of them on line for around 200 but the photos show these things would be better suited on a PV, I got these from a local dealer that specializes in industrial tires and chains. these are true skid steer chains ICC brand-and of course, Made in China.

Bottom line I wish I had done this a long time ago. I would have saved a lot of time and fuel when I think of the need to either take smaller passes or "dump" the snow sooner. As to the comments on "pulling" with a front axle or "pushing with a rear axle, no clue-but IMO, I would say the incremental gain the chains give you is just that-the incremental gain you get that keeps you moving. And given the absence of a lot of wheel spin I would say I'm ahead of the game

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I say, put them on the front! It helps your local dealer stay in business, selling parts and of course their techs get more work too!

Why not help your dealer out??

SR

 

[jgayman]

Well I finally picked up a set of chains-10-16.5 2 link. $256. All kinds of them on line for around 200 but the photos show these things would be better suited on a PV, I got these from a local dealer that specializes in industrial tires and chains. these are true skid steer chains ICC brand-and of course, Made in China.

Bottom line I wish I had done this a long time ago. I would have saved a lot of time and fuel when I think of the need to either take smaller passes or "dump" the snow sooner. As to the comments on "pulling" with a front axle or "pushing with a rear axle, no clue-but IMO, I would say the incremental gain the chains give you is just that-the incremental gain you get that keeps you moving. And given the absence of a lot of wheel spin I would say I'm ahead of the game

The 4720 has front and rear trunnion supports on the front axle just like most all 4WD tractors. So whether pushing or pulling it has the same support. I would also be willing to bet that more force is applied to the front axle when using 4WD for things like plowing or pulling heavy objects than ever would be applied in slippery conditions using tire chains. Just imagine the forces involved when using 4WD during the summer to aid in pulling out a stump or pulling your neighbor's pickup truck out of the ditch.

As anyone who uses tire chains in the winter knows, they do NOT lock your tires to the ground and only serve to provide slightly better traction than would bare tires. In other words, chained tires spin plenty easy in snow and ice.

 

[beenthere]

Well said there, jgayman

 

[Red Horse]

The 4720 has front and rear trunnion supports on the front axle just like most all 4WD tractors. So whether pushing or pulling it has the same support. I would also be willing to bet that more force is applied to the front axle when using 4WD for things like plowing or pulling heavy objects than ever would be applied in slippery conditions using tire chains. Just imagine the forces involved when using 4WD during the summer to aid in pulling out a stump or pulling your neighbor's pickup truck out of the ditch.

As anyone who uses tire chains in the winter knows, they do NOT lock your tires to the ground and only serve to provide slightly better traction than would bare tires. In other words, chained tires spin plenty easy in snow and ice.

For sure! I have a Wildkat Grapple. When I grab a 16'x 12+" red oak off the pile and there is no frost in the ground I think that front axle is doing a lot more work then when I've got a blade full of snow. JG- "slightly better traction"..amen, I said "incremental"

and one more thing, my 4720 is a 2007. Any chance the '07's were built without a zerks on the trunions? or I'm blind.

 

[jgayman]

and one more thing, my 4720 is a 2007. Any chance the '07's were built without a zerks on the trunions? or I'm blind.

I've been looking over the Owner's Manuals and parts illustrations and it appears there are no grease zerks on the front axle trunnion. When I made the comment about greasing the front axle I just assumed it had grease zerks. But apparently it does not. There are no zerks shown on any of the parts diagrams for the front trunnions on the 3x20 or 4x20. Lubricating the front trunnion is also not listed on the maintenance schedule - only tightening the thrust bolt. Now, it's possible there are zerks but they aren't mentioned in the manual. It wouldn't be the first time that has happened. I can't imagine those trunnion bushings not requiring lubrication.

Oddly, on the newer 30xxR and 40xxR tractors the construction of the trunnion looks identical except it clearly shows a grease zerk on the front and back of the trunnion and greasing the trunnion is illustrated in the Operator's Manual.

 

[Red Horse]

I've been looking over the Owner's Manuals and parts illustrations and it appears there are no grease zerks on the front axle trunnion. When I made the comment about greasing the front axle I just assumed it had grease zerks. But apparently it does not. There are no zerks shown on any of the parts diagrams for the front trunnions on the 3x20 or 4x20. Lubricating the front trunnion is also not listed on the maintenance schedule - only tightening the thrust bolt. Now, it's possible there are zerks but they aren't mentioned in the manual. It wouldn't be the first time that has happened. I can't imagine those trunnion bushings not requiring lubrication.

Oddly, on the newer 30xxR and 40xxR tractors the construction of the trunnion looks identical except it clearly shows a grease zerk on the front and back of the trunnion and greasing the trunnion is illustrated in the Operator's Manual.

Thx good to know my eyes are not that bad:thumbsup: