Front chain question

AJones · Mar 7, 2007

Does anyone here run front chains on their tractor with the super steer option? If so what link spacing, 2 or 4? I have a TC33d that I just got recently with R4's. We had about two inches of snow today so I figured I'd try it out to see how it handled on my step paved driveway with the FEL. Pushed down hill fine in two wheel drive but going up was a different story. Even in four wheel drive and the bucket in "float" the front end wanted to slip off to the side making the tractor unsteerable. I was reading here about how chains on the front wheels would help. Also, there are mixed opinions if front chains would cause damage to the front end. Overall traction did not seem to be a problem after locking the differential lock a few times. Right now I'm thinking of going with front chains and loading the rear tires. Thanks.

IH3444 · Mar 8, 2007

Chains on the front tires is usually a big no-no. Using that set up on pavement is an additional big no-no. If you changed out the front axle fluid with a high quality synthetic fluid such as Amsoil series 3000, 75w-90 full synthetic, you will be protecting the front gears as well as possible. If this arrangement was used on unpaved drive, and road, I wouls say you have minimized your risk of front axle damage, while using front chains.

With you using the chains on paved drive, I think you are inviting disaster in time.

Pavement allows very little slippage, which would be your protection against axle/gear damage. A word to the wise is usually sufficient. I wish you the best of luck if you decide to install front chains. I would just plow down the drive without chains.

Red_Dog · Mar 8, 2007

Another thought is if your paved drive is asphalt, I would worry about chains ripping it up. I have chains on a small 2WD Toro Lawn/Garden tractor with snowblower and when the tires spin with chains, they make grooves/ripping marks in the ashpalt drive. On our concrete sections of driveway, the chains make no marks at all. Just something else to keep in mind in addition to potential front end damage to the tractor.

AJones · Mar 10, 2007

I asked the local NH dealer about running chains on the front. He told me don't do it. It will tear up the front end. My tractor is four wheel drive so maybe that's why he is aginst using them. He recommends chains only on the rear. Thanks.

thcri · Mar 17, 2007

About 4 weeks or so ago we had a major ice storm. Yeah steep concrete driveway. On top of the ice we got 20 some inches of snow. I got to the bottom of the driveway and could not get back up. I had a pair of chains that I bought for a Dodge Caravan many years ago to get through the mountains on a trip. I guess you have to have them by law?? Anyway the chains were never used and I just thought I would try putting them on the front to see how it worked. It worked great. I got back up the hill with no problems. But to give you an example of how much pressure can be on them as I was backing into my garage I had to make a sharp turn. The chains grabbed so well it ripped one of the front tires right off the rim. So long story short, I won't put chains on the front especially with Super Steer.

murph

AJones · Mar 18, 2007

thcri - Thanks for sharing your experience. We just had about a 12" snow storm here in Northeast PA this past Friday. I decided to hook up the 5' rear mount snowblower and try it out. (this is my first snow storm with this tractor) and see how it worked. I made a pass down my 1000 foot drive and back up, hey this is great!! Well, there was about an inch of a wet snow that was left behind that the blower did not scrape to the pave. The feet are adjusted as low as they'll go. I used the FEL to scrape a pass down but could not get back up the hill even with the bucket off the ground. I was in four wheel drive had the rear differential locked but could not get up until I spread some salt for traction. My tires are R4's and the tractor just slid down the hill. My plan is to load the rear tires and get a set of rear chains and hope this solves my traction problem.

IH3444 · Mar 18, 2007

Under those conditions it is temping to just install the chains on front just to get back up the drive. The rear chains for our tractors are very heavy, clumbersome to install, and very rough riding after the plowing is done. I've wished there was some company that offered cable chains, diamond pattern just for those with paved drives, or level ground that need just a tad more purchase to plow, but would be easier to install, and smoother riding after plowing done. The cablechains are offered for autos, but not tractors yet. Those with R4s, and turfs would make good use of them....