Chains Good chains for R4's?

[Reg]

Reg:
'welcome. Yeah my experience also. For the price I paid I expected a poorer quality product (only need them a couple of times a year.) What they sent me were top notch, solid and well made. I guess everyone uses tirechains.com so these guys have to fight a bit harder for the business...

Interesting details on the source.....

One little question on your order;
Did they include a T-Handle key for the cam locks ?

There is nothing on their web site stating one is included, but neither do they suggest/recommend that customers need to purchase one.
Most web shopping sites these days do list suggested accessories, either right with what you are browsing or right after you have added it to the cart.

No biggie, just a minor hassle if I have to trek out and buy one.
I know myself too well to have two of them around;
I will take care of one, knowing it is my ONLY one.
I will misplace each of two, sub-consciously knowing I have a back-up(SOMEwhere).
(Is this just another "Guy thing" ?)

Does a 1/4 inch socket drive fit ?
(OK, two little questions)

 

[Reg]

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.

Is that a diameter or inside clearance issue ?
If it is just inside clearance you should be able to re-jigger the wheels.
You MIGHT be able to get them far out enough to solve a diameter issue too.

 

[RoyJackson]

Is that a diameter or inside clearance issue ?
If it is just inside clearance you should be able to re-jigger the wheels.
You MIGHT be able to get them far out enough to solve a diameter issue too.

Also, some Kubotas' fenders can be repositioned. A TBNer had posted pics of his rear tires (from the side) and I saw holes for repositioning the fenders up...so look for alternate mounting holes.
Don't recall which model he had though...

 

[k0ua]

Is that a diameter or inside clearance issue ?
If it is just inside clearance you should be able to re-jigger the wheels.
You MIGHT be able to get them far out enough to solve a diameter issue too.

Inside clearance is tight, don't think I would want to try it without wheel spacers on R4 tires.. I think R1 are OK as they are not a wide. With R4 there is nothing you can do with the wheels on this model.

James K0UA

 

[Reg]

Also, some Kubotas' fenders can be repositioned. A TBNer had posted pics of his rear tires (from the side) and I saw holes for repositioning the fenders up...so look for alternate mounting holes.
Don't recall which model he had though...

There seems something basically WRONG in a tractor that has not been designed with enough fender clearance AT LEAST for chains.
Is this a "Looks" thing ? (Mahh_ketting)
For wannabe sports cars where it may be considered "kool" to have fractions of an inch clearance ? Maybe.
For a TRACTOR ? I just don't get it - not that there is wheel travel due to suspension movement, so I could agree that clearance isn't needed for that.

OK, so adjustable fenders for alternate wheel sizes, but it seems the "as delivered" set up is too close.

 

[outoftractorluck]

....I don't think the Japanese are as smart as people think. They don't know enough about American users and they are perfectionists. But, if you don't know what perfection is to the user..... I'm sure somebody in Japan measured the tire to the nth degree to get the perfect fendor clearance forgetting a main issue for the user - chains.

They also have a real problem fessing up when they have messed up. It means loosing face. That may be why their wheel spaced kit is kept so low profile - not advertised or listed anywhere and it should be a standard modification. I contracted for a Japanese company (who shall remain nameless) a few years back. They made great stuff but when we fixed or improved something in the States it had to be kept under the carpet incase somebody in Tokyo had to commit Hari-Kari for getting it wrong..

I look around at the Japanese stuff I buy. Made perfectly but sometimes with obvious user issues. Look at Betamax it took years for Japan to finally admit price/performance it wasn't the best solution and to give up on it.

Sermon over!

 

[dennisgw]

@outof.. Beta was the better technical product, it just lost out to lower price VHS by folks who accepted lesser technical product.

 

[RoyJackson]

@outof.. Beta was the better technical product, it just lost out to lower price VHS by folks who accepted lesser technical product.

Betamax never got a lot of support...as you wrote, more consumers wanted the VHS. Remember, these VTRs cost well in excess of $1000 back then...and Betamax machines cost more with less pre-recorded movies available.
I bought my first VTR (Panasonic) in 1979 or 1980. The price was about $1400.00.

Another thing, you couldn't find tire chains for the Betamax...OOPS!! Slipped back on topic!

 

[outoftractorluck]

:laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[Reg]

Inside clearance is tight, don't think I would want to try it without wheel spacers on R4 tires.. I think R1 are OK as they are not a wide. With R4 there is nothing you can do with the wheels on this model.

James K0UA

I just found the specs for it; 15x19.5 R4s, no pics where I looked so they may be fixed one piece rims - would side to side swap help ? or are they centered (approx zero offset) ?

I have no experience of 19.5 diameter rims on tractor'ettes - on li'lul truck'lets yes.
(-:

EDIT:
Now I found the glossies and the L3200, 3800, and 4600 are all shown with R4s (probably because K wants to sell the back hoe image)
and they all APPEAR to have 2 piece rims with the inner half set wide, but the other half not at max width, i.e. there are normally 8 possible settings with that wheel type.
:End EDIT