Chains -where to put them

[tdmdkubota]

Kubota BX23 in NH. Wondering whether to put chains on the back, front or both. Also whether they should be v-bar or standard style. I have a curtis plow for the front, yet to be tested, and about 300# of counterweight on the rear 3ph. Driveway is about 7% grade, asphalt, and the barn area is pretty flat but gravel. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[whistlepig]

There are those that say putting chains on the front is hard on the front drive line and there are those that say chains on the front and rear are OK. I'm staying out of that. I prefer chains on the rear only. These MPC's are highly rated chains for asphalt:

Secure Online Shopping for all of your Tire Chain needs

 

[rekees4300]

Kubota BX23 in NH. Wondering whether to put chains on the back, front or both. Also whether they should be v-bar or standard style. I have a curtis plow for the front, yet to be tested, and about 300# of counterweight on the rear 3ph. Driveway is about 7% grade, asphalt, and the barn area is pretty flat but gravel. Any advice would be appreciated.

V-bar will damage your asphalt so use standard. Put the chains on the rear first then if you need more traction add to front.

 

[radioman]

I Agree with with everyone here -- v bar will destroy or at least put alot of scuff marks on the pavement and you will actually lose traction on pavement with v bar.
I run mostly barefoot turfs on pavement/yard path/woodchips path. I only chainup when I know I am going in deep snow or mud with no pavement under me. Just remember - The BX is pretty nimble and wont get stuff in snow as long you are driving on plowed surface. lifting the plow and driving on snow is a good way to get in trouble in a hurry no matter what you are driving.
If you must get chains - get ones for rear. This is the one that matters the most as it has the most surface size and you can use diff lock if needed to get out of the trouble spot. Having chains in the front is nice, but I really dont see the need for such a small tractor.

 

[flyingcow]

I'm with the rear chain crowd.

 

[tdmdkubota]

Thanks to all..great information and advice...much appreciated!!!

 

[MF1433V]

In general I agree with chains on the rear, that's what I use.

If your are only putting one set of chains on the only reason for the front instead of the rear is 1. cost - fronts are typically much smaller and will cost much less if the budget is limited. 2. if steering is more important than the power of rear push ability. V-bar on the front can be more important for steep slops in which steering is critical. The pull vs. push of the chain on the front is significantly better for steering.

 

[bandit67]

My suggestion - chain up all 4 on asphalt that is anything but flat. Front chains will help you steer.

For example, a heavy, wet snowfall, where your asphalt is freezing up as you plow, is going to cause you all sorts of problems when the plow is loaded with snow and you're trying to turn and you've got the steep drive to deal with.

I say this based on my experience on both subcompact & compact machines. I have chains for all 4 wheels, and have tried all 3 different combinations in all sorts of situations - front chains, rear chains, front & rear chains. If I only run one set, I prefer to run fronts, but running chains all the way around is by far the best as far as overall traction and control over exactly where the machine goes. My drive consists of a lot of sloped and some nearly flat areas.

Oh, and I agree with most that suggest standard style to keep from destroying your asphalt.

 

[94BULLITT]

It sounds like you have your tractor setup pretty good with the 300lb counterweight. I am kind of on the fence about chains. I am leaning towards the rear only. I may email Kubota and see what they say. My dealer thought I would be fine to run chains on the front of the L4240. I can see advantages on disadvantages to both. The front tire chains would be smaller, easier to handle and store and cheaper. I think the front chains will be hard on the front end of the tractor. I think the rear axle is more durable than the front. I do not recommend chaining up all 4, that is when you will start to break stuff like axles because you will have too much traction. Unless you have a icy storm you may not even need chains. I would not use the Vbar on pavement, they will tear it up, regular chains will scratch it some.

 

[whistlepig]

From what I have researched chains on both the front and rear are very hard on the front drive line. It would be nice to have chains on the front. It would make steering a lot easier. If I were to go chains on the front and rear I wouldn't engage the 4wd on my tractor.