Front tire chains, CK27 (Bobcat CT225)

outsidezion · Jan 11, 2014

I have run front tires chains only on my DK40 for 7 years. No problems, no binding, no rubbing - just great traction pushing snow and pulling logs. I picked up a 2010 Bobcat CT225 and the fella who sold it to me advised his New Holland Owner's manual for his 45 hp compact warns to never use front tire chains. I searched the forums but didn't find anything specifically.

I can't see why there would an issue as the front axles are never locked.

Any issues running front tire chains?

VictorW · Jan 11, 2014

On my CK30hst, I run chains on all 4 tires. I didn't want the front end biting in harder than the back when on ice and having the front do most of the work. I have 3/8 link on the rears and 1/4 inch link on the fronts. I've had no problems for 9 Winters now but do take it out of 4wd when pavement is showing. If I was pulling logs in the dirt/wooded area, the tires will slip some and not bind up the drivetrain. In prior posts, members have different opinions as to the use of chains on the front.

outsidezion · Feb 1, 2014

I put ww fluid in the rear couple weekends ago which made a huge difference. I'm going to see if I even need chains at this point. For snow, prob not. Might still want them for pulling in firewood logs.

blucoondawg · Feb 2, 2014

Most people I hear of using front chains is simply to keep the tractor going in the right direction when plowing snow, without chains the tractor front will slide to the side with an angled blade and will want to push straight ahead with a bucket load of snow rather than turning, chains would ease this problem. I used to use a Allis Chalmers C narrow front end tractor for snow plowing, chains on the rear and this little tractor was almost unstoppable on ice, I wouldn't think the front chains would be necessary for traction as long as the back was chained.

Looking4new · Feb 2, 2014

I had a set of skidder chains on my Farmall 'C' row crop and it was unstoppable, too. Never tried running front chains on the Kioti, had thought about it but ended up vetoing the idea.