Chains Enough clearance for front chains on b7800??

vjcunr · Oct 31, 2005

Does anyone have front snow chains on a b7800 HST with R4 tires? I am getting ready for my first winter with my new tractor and snow thrower. I noticed there is only about 3/4" of clearance between the front tires and the edge of the tie rod (or what ever you call the horizontal bar that controls the steering). I am afraid chains might rub against it, or worse, catch on it. I can barely get my index finger between it and the sidewall of the tire.

Do I just chain up the back and steer by splitting the brakes?
Thanks...
p.s. Does anyone have a source to buy Kubota fluids on-line?

ronjhall · Oct 31, 2005

I have a set of front chains for my B2910 (same front as B7800). Found that they will not clear axle. I have a FEL mounted blade. By keeping the blade weight on front end (blade raised about 1/2"). I have never needed chains on front or rear except when there is ice. I have Turf tires.
It's generally not recommended that chains be used on front and rear at same time on a 4WD tractor.

hayden · Oct 31, 2005

I've started using chains on all four wheels on my 2910, but only in the snow. I went with rear chains only for the first few years because the increased traction is rumored to place excess strain on the drive train. But with my snow blower on the 3PH, I find the front traction is lame, and steering becomes problematic in some cases. I figured there is enough slippage in the snow that it's OK to go ahead with front chains and started using them last winter. If there weren't a lot of slippage, I wouldn't need the front chains in the first place - that's how I look at it.

End result is a big improvement in front traction.

Back to the clearance questions - I just reversed my front wheels, which makes them stand out a few inches wider and gives plenty of clearance. There was a big debate back when I did this, and the concerns were around the increased leverage and resulting stresses on the front hubs. I decided to take the risk, mostly becasue I wanted the increased stability of a wider wheel stance. So far so good is all I can say, and it served double to solve the chain clearance problem.

Rear chain clearance is tight too. I find I need to keep the chains on good and tight with tensioning springs. Even so, they still wack the inside of the fender occationally.

vjcunr · Oct 31, 2005

I had not thought of reversing the wheels. That would certainly give me the extra clearance. I just got some chains for the rear. I think I will give that a try first, and if it slips too much I'll chain up the front. The only downside is that if I get stuck, I have to suffer the embarrassment of having my neighbor pull me out of the snow!
Thanks for the help.

1TMatthews · Nov 1, 2005

I have a B7800. I have only rear tire chains, I also only plow with the FEL. I had to get wheel spacers in order for the rear tire chains to fit. It's nice because it makes the tractor a little more wider. My tires are unloaded and they are also turf tires. I do put a weight box on the back for added balis. Other than that I have had no problems and last years blizzard I tried getting the tractor stuck in the snow drifts, but with 4 wheel and low gear I couldn't do it.

frank_f15 · Nov 1, 2005

Why don't u try just rear chains if u think you need them. al lot will depend on the type of chain you get.

hayden · Nov 1, 2005

Yes, I'd recommend an incremental approach too. 80-90% of the traction improvement comes from the rear chains anyway.

One other note on reversing the front wheels - With the wider stance the front wheels chew up the grass more when the wheels are cranked all the way to the left or right. Doing more gentle turns avoids the problem, but leep it in mind if you operate on a manicured lawn.

SeymourBota · Nov 2, 2005

Another option is to get a set of tires with better traction in the snow. I was trying to rig up chains for my 2410 but wound up getting a 2nd set of rims and buying an aggressive but flexible tread- Tital True Powers, if memory serves.
After changing to them in the fall, I never had to put chains on!! Just need to be sure you have a size with the same circumference as your stock R4s.