Chains?

   / Chains? #1  

TVZ

Bronze Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2018
Messages
56
Tractor
MF 1726E
I live in a snow belt in northern Michigan. I have a hilly driveway. For years I've kept it plowed using a 2-wheel-drive Ford 9N with chains on the tires. Now I have bought an MF1726E, which of course has 4WD (with R4-type tires). My question is, in order to be ready when winter descends, should I have a set of chains for it? Or will I do alright w/ my 4WD? Thanks.
 
   / Chains? #2  
R-4 are terrible in snow. Get the chains. I have an L3400 with r-4 and a 5083E with R-1 and chains help both tractors out tremendously.
 
   / Chains? #3  
In '82 I had a 1982 Ford 1710 4WD. Snow berms would build and tractor was not heavy enough to hold the rear blade and remove the berms. I got HD tractor chains alll the way around - they were a PITA to instal(so dam heavy) - they made the tractor ride like sliding down a giant ear of corn - BUT they gave the little tractor traction like nothing else. Nothing, but nothing, could stop that little beast when it was chained up. Only used the chains in the winter - summer use would chew things up pretty quickly. That tractor had R-1's and loaded rear tires.
 
   / Chains? #4  
I also live in Northern Michigan in a snow belt. I have R4s and plow (bsck blade) my drive and half mile of road without issue with no chains. The road includes a steep hill.

I thought about chains once but being I have never had an actual need forcthem, they aren't worth the cost to me.
 
   / Chains? #5  
I've posted a few times;
as far as chains go the Euro style such as the Aquiline are the best working, smoothest riding, and best working type of traction chain I have ever purchased.

Branson chains.jpg
 
   / Chains? #6  
Oh, ouch - LouNY - you use the phrase "smoothest riding" when talking about chains. The HD set I had were around $650 for both sets - as I remember. $450 for the rears and $200 for the fronts. They were what I would call cross link - fantastic traction - rode like a cob. Certainly glad to get the new Kubota M6040 - tips the grain scales @ 10,100 pounds - no need for chains to clear the driveway with my rear blade now.
 
   / Chains? #7  
Oh, ouch - LouNY - you use the phrase "smoothest riding" when talking about chains. The HD set I had were around $650 for both sets - as I remember. $450 for the rears and $200 for the fronts. They were what I would call cross link - fantastic traction - rode like a cob. Certainly glad to get the new Kubota M6040 - tips the grain scales @ 10,100 pounds - no need for chains to clear the driveway with my rear blade now.

The Branson 8050 in the picture is heavier then that, with just the rear chains which is it's normal winter configuration I can run down the road at 15-18 mph with no excessive vibration or rough ride, with the fronts on 15 mph is the max on the road, I usually only mount the fronts if a major ice storm is forecast or having to work in deep snow in the fields.
I can not even consider going on my driveway without the chains in the winter, it's quite steep 14-16 degrees or 24-29% slope, it can be a ride at times.

We run the same style chain on the tractors that we feed outside with in the winter, A CIH Puma 125 and a FNH T6040 they both are over 15,000# and go a couple of miles each way on pavement to get to the winter feed lots.

This style chain has much more traction than any others we have used and a smooth ride, which is nice for the operator but more importantly is easier on the equipment.

I have used the smooth twist link, the bar reinforced, the H patterned, and the double ring chains, with 2 and 4 link spacing and none of them can compare.
They are not inexpensive by any means, I'd hate to add up every thing I've spent on chains and studded tires.
 

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