Chains Front tire chains on 4210 with R4s dont fit

[jdgreg]

Just spent the last 2 hrs trying to fit a set of older tire chains I had laying around, onto the front tires of my 4210 with R4s. I had used these chains on the front tires of my old Ford 1700. The left side fit ok, but the right side didnt. The chain was rubbing against the steering arm, so I decided it wasnt worth it and pulled them off.

If I had R1s (or possibly better fitting chains), it probably wouldnt be an issue.

 

[Woody_NH]

Just spent the last 2 hrs trying to fit a set of older tire chains I had laying around, onto the front tires of my 4210 with R4s. I had used these chains on the front tires of my old Ford 1700. The left side fit ok, but the right side didnt. The chain was rubbing against the steering arm, so I decided it wasnt worth it and pulled them off.

If I had R1s (or possibly better fitting chains), it probably wouldnt be an issue.

Can you reverse the front wheels on the 4210? That would give you more clearance.

 

[jdgreg]

Woody_NH, tried that, I dont think they're reversable. I pulled one off, and it didnt look like it should go on reversed. I'll verify in the manual, but I dont think so.

 

[jdgreg]

Double checked the manual, and I stand corrected. It appears the front wheels are supposed to be able to be reversed to widen the stance. This would give room for chains. The manual also says the front axle can be extended, for 8 different tread widths. Anyone know how to extend the axle? Manual doesnt give a hint.

 

[jdgreg]

Last night I went ahead and flipped my front R4s. This seemed like it moved the outside tire edge out 4" !!! This gave plenty of room for the chains, but I'm a little concerned that the added tire width is a little beyond the rear tires. Played with it a little last night and all seemed ok. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Dutch445]

Last night I went ahead and flipped my front R4s. This seemed like it moved the outside tire edge out 4" !!! This gave plenty of room for the chains, but I'm a little concerned that the added tire width is a little beyond the rear tires. Played with it a little last night and all seemed ok. Anyone have any thoughts?

Just make sure that your rim is made to go on both ways...
you should have a chamfer where your wheel bolt goes, and the
bolt needs to seat in it.
If not, double and triple check wheel torque regularly... as I have
seen them come loose,, to the point the wheel fell off going down
the road!

 

[Woody_NH]

Last night I went ahead and flipped my front R4s. This seemed like it moved the outside tire edge out 4" !!! This gave plenty of room for the chains, but I'm a little concerned that the added tire width is a little beyond the rear tires. Played with it a little last night and all seemed ok. Anyone have any thoughts?

jdgreg: On my 3320 the front chains fit without reversing the wheels however if they did not, I would reverse the front wheels in the winter for my situation. In my case with a long steep gravel driveway, I need the front chains to deal with ice. It could be crash and burn without the chains.

With R4s on my machine, reversing the front makes the front wheel track much wider than the rear (which are reversed). The manual advises keeping front and rear width about the same so my front wheels are not reversed. I suggest that you evaluate how strong your need is for front chains.

 

[jdgreg]

Dutch, I was concerned about whether the front R4s really should be reversed. The manual is a little misleading, part of it says yes, then there's a chart that indicates the R4 is only a narrow stance. I didnt like the way the inside of the rim looked, I didnt see the same champfer for the lug nuts, and the rim support that goes against the axle didnt look the same. I called my dealer today to verify, and they said they can be reversed.

Woody, I have a lot of driveway to plow between mine and my neighbors. Some steep, some not. I figured the chains would help minimize the FEL plow pushing the front end around. This my first season using the plow, so it may be more of just time to get used to it, but I'll see how the chains work out.

Thanks for the input guys.

 

[Woody_NH]

Dutch, I was concerned about whether the front R4s really should be reversed. The manual is a little misleading, part of it says yes, then there's a chart that indicates the R4 is only a narrow stance. I didnt like the way the inside of the rim looked, I didnt see the same champfer for the lug nuts, and the rim support that goes against the axle didnt look the same. I called my dealer today to verify, and they said they can be reversed.

Woody, I have a lot of driveway to plow between mine and my neighbors. Some steep, some not. I figured the chains would help minimize the FEL plow pushing the front end around. This my first season using the plow, so it may be more of just time to get used to it, but I'll see how the chains work out.

Thanks for the input guys.

On my 3320 there are two sets of holes: one for normal and one for reversed mounting, see photo. The two sets of holes have the chamfers and rim supports on reverse sides. If you don't have the two sets of holes, the wheels may not have been designed with reversing in mind.

 

[JB4310]

On my 3320 there are two sets of holes: one for normal and one for reversed mounting, see photo. The two sets of holes have the chamfers and rim supports on reverse sides. If you don't have the two sets of holes, the wheels may not have been designed with reversing in mind.

I was thinking about the same set up as yours with front chains, do you only have them on the fronts or on the rear also? at first I thought the 3 link spacing was the way to go, but after seeing yours I think 1 link spacing would be better.
I have a 4310 with R4's and it looks like there wouldn't be a problem with clearance, did you have to reverse your rims, yours tires look to be about the same size as mine.
I do loose traction some times on steep drive even with 4x4 so I thought a little help up front would be enough, as opposed to the cost and work involved with rear chains.
Sorry for hijacking your thread jdgreg.