Chains Good chains for R4's?

[sadie72]

Any recommendations for reasonably priced chains and where to purchase?

I have a Kubota L3800 which I primarily use for pulling firewood out of the bush on frozen ground BUT also do snow removal on a few paved drives. My wife, and neighbors, would kill me if I damage the pavement in the winter.

Any help appreciated.

 

[k0ua]

Just another idea, especially if you are worried about chain damage. And trust me chains damage concrete and asphalt. I done mine, but no snow so far, so I cannot comment.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/snow-removal/193438-cutting-groving-siping-r-4-a.html

James K0UA

PS.. chains on a L3800 are very iffy due to clearance issues.. most guys have had to put on wheel spacers.

 

[ericdube]

The Aquiline MPC Tire Chains are the ones I almost bought myself for my B2620 this year (but we just haven't had enough snow to justify it - not that I'm complaining though! ) There's a number of forum members who run them without spacers since they add very little to the overall width of the tire. In addition, they are suppose to be safe for asphalt and concrete surfaces.

 

[whistlepig]

I have Aquiline Talons. Not for pavement but I doubt there are few chains with better traction. Aquiline Talons are very expensive. I would consider the Aquiline MPC the best of both worlds. Good traction and no damage to asphalt. The Aquiline MPC's are even more expensive. I bought my Aquiline Talons from here:

Buy Tire Chains from the Traction Specialistsｩ

 

[RoyJackson]

Any recommendations for reasonably priced chains and where to purchase?

I have a Kubota L3800 which I primarily use for pulling firewood out of the bush on frozen ground BUT also do snow removal on a few paved drives. My wife, and neighbors, would kill me if I damage the pavement in the winter.

Any help appreciated.

I'd look into 2 Link Ladder chains. I use 4 link ladder chains, but I run turf tires so the cross chains won't be falling between the lugs. 2 Link types have enough cross links that you should always have enough cross chain on the circumference for traction. The ladder style chains are considered "road chains" and less likely to scratch asphalt.

www.tirechains.com is where I bought mine. Those folks are pretty knowlegable and can make the best recommendation.
If you do buy from Tirechains.com, I can't recommend you buy the tensioners ($45 each). I did and they're a pain to use. Use some bungees instead. Cheaper to buy, easier to install and hold the chains very tight to the tires.

Cost...well, not real cheap. Including shipping to Vermont, you'd be in the neighbor of $400 or a bit more.

Tirechains.com recommends 2.5" of clearance, so you may have to space those tires out.

 

[crazyal]

The Aquiline MPC Tire Chains are the ones I almost bought myself for my B2620 this year (but we just haven't had enough snow to justify it - not that I'm complaining though! ) There's a number of forum members who run them without spacers since they add very little to the overall width of the tire. In addition, they are suppose to be safe for asphalt and concrete surfaces.

I almost bought a set of them, actually the Tellsfdals version. The dealers said they were very easy on pavement and still offered great traction. He said they sold them to people with skid steers. But they weren't cheap.

 

[ericdube]

When I priced them for my B2620 with R4's, they ran around $350/pair. The other nice thing is they're not too heavy either (54lbs./pair), which makes putting them on not too difficult.

 

[peterc38]

I'd look into 2 Link Ladder chains. I use 4 link ladder chains, but I run turf tires so the cross chains won't be falling between the lugs. 2 Link types have enough cross links that you should always have enough cross chain on the circumference for traction. The ladder style chains are considered "road chains" and less likely to scratch asphalt.

www.tirechains.com is where I bought mine. Those folks are pretty knowlegable and can make the best recommendation.
If you do buy from Tirechains.com, I can't recommend you buy the tensioners ($45 each). I did and they're a pain to use. Use some bungees instead. Cheaper to buy, easier to install and hold the chains very tight to the tires.

Cost...well, not real cheap. Including shipping to Vermont, you'd be in the neighbor of $400 or a bit more.

Tirechains.com recommends 2.5" of clearance, so you may have to space those tires out.

I have the 2 link ladder chains from tire chain.com on my R4's and they are very effective and do not damage my asphalt drive. I second just using bungees vs. the tensioners.

 

[sadie72]

Great feedback all. I've got some good direction now. I did have the dealer install wheel spacers before I took delivery, so several options exist. I plan to wait till next fall to save and ultimately make the right decision.

Thanks so much!

 

[crazyal]

I bought my chains from Dasmarais Equipment in Orleans. They sell the Tellefsdal brand chains. They are very close to the Aquiline chains. The one nice thing about buying from them was the salesman came though once a week and would deliver the chains to the dealer for free. Of course you still pay VT sales tax.

http://www.tooriistamarket.ee/files/tarvikud/tarvikud ENG/04.01.2011/T14_jaaketjut.pdf