Chains chains on the front ?pro's & con's

[haybaler9]

Re: chains on the front ?pro\'s & con\'s

I just picked up a set of chains for my l4200. there skidder type chain, great in mud and ice. they will hurt the pavement a little if your not carefull. I would NEVER put chains on the front of a tractor.you front end won't last long.

 

[ksmmoto]

Re: chains on the front ?pro\'s & con\'s

I have chains on both front and rear on my L3430. First winter 03/04 I didn't use chains, worked ok (I have a rear snowblower), but I did notice the front sliding a lot under certain snow conditions.

So I bought front chains from tirechains.com. Then I read on TBN about possible stress, etc. So I bought rear chains also. Most of the time when I snow blow I still use fwd. Still get some slippage even with chains, seems to be fine on the fwd.

I have photos.

ksmmoto

 

[ksmmoto]

Re: chains on the front ?pro\'s & con\'s

Second Photo.

I am going to remove the overlapped links on the rear wheel chains. Rides kind of lumpy on the road. Don't notice it in snow.

Also I need chains for when the snow is deep (2 foot or more) out in the field.

ksmmoto

 

[rdbrumfield]

Re: chains on the front ?pro\'s & con\'s

I can't imagine that putting chains on a 4X4 tractor would be a problem with the gear train as you are working on a slippery surface or you wouldn't need the chains.
As for working in deep mud and such, I built a set of tracks for mine. They work great, better floatation and traction. Wouldn't recommend them on ice though. As mentioned before, I had to widen the tires for the tractor to accept them. I made one for each wheel so you drive the tractor the same as normal. Initially I built them because I was getting flats from hawthorn trees that I was mowing and needed something to protect the tires. Never had anymore flats, added 2inches of ground clearance and never had to use the fwd. Only took a weekend to build and will last for as long as I am around.

 

[tawilson]

Re: chains on the front ?pro\'s & con\'s

Sure would like to see a picture of that.

 

[Dirthog]

Re: chains on the front ?pro\'s & con\'s

Can't say chains would hurt the front end have had 4 Kubota's and have run chains on the front of them all started with a 8200 and now have a L48 which I also use commericialy and have never had a bit of trouble with anyone of them and my L48 I have had it in deep enough I had to pull it out with the 27000# excavator

 

[jimmysisson]

Re: chains on the front ?pro\'s & con\'s

rd- have you posted pictures of those tracks? I'd like to see them. I've seen the ones on old 2wd farm tractors, just brake turns, I guess. Thanks
Jim

 

[WCarlson]

Re: chains on the front ?pro\'s & con\'s

I have read all the posts saying that chains all around will damage the gear train. I have been using chains on all four for five winters without a problem. If you are using chains in snow and ice the chances of "winding up" the gear train are slim.
Bill

 

[JimR]

Re: chains on the front ?pro\'s & con\'s

I have a Cub Cadet 7275 with a loader on it. I run turfs on the rear and industrials on the front. I have a set of double ladder chains for the rear. I too was told not to run chains on the front tires. The fornt ends of these small tractors are not built to take a lot of stress in the gearing. Look at the size of the front shaft. It's nothing more than a toy shaft. I would hope that is the weak point and not the gears in the axle housing. To me it's not worth it to find out if the chains will be better. I have more than enough traction with just the rear chains and industrials on the front. I also keep my grader blade on in the winter for weight and for scraping my driveway after it snows.

 

[Woody_NH]

Re: chains on the front ?pro\'s & con\'s

Bill,
I agree. If the front drive train can't handle enough torque to make a chained wheel slip on ice, then the machine isn't worth much in general.

In my case with a steep driveway and frequent ice, it is a matter of chains all around or crash and burn. Chains all around work great on ice, no complaints from the machine.

Woody