Got Chains?

[Franko]

My recent order for tire chains for my Kubota B7800 from tirechains.com was unsuccessful. I could not get through via phone (busy) so I ordered online. I did not hear anything for a couple of days and then got an email that the front chains for the 23x8.5x14 were out of stock for the season. Wasn't sure about the fronts anyway. Then today I received another email saying that the chains for the rears, 12.4-16 were also out of stock for the season. Guess I waited too long to get them! So I checked with a couple of other online places and no go. Either they did not have any size close to mine, or they simply said 'chains sold out'. I guess I should go out and buy some stock in tractor chain companies, but I would rather find some chains.

Anyone have any ideas? Are you guys finding the same thing?

 

[NSBound]

Sounds like a business opportunity! I got mine just in time a few weeks ago before everyone on the Atlantic seabord started ordering them. Don't worry about it now, winter's almost over!

 

[beenthere]

Go to some tractor supply places, or truck supply houses, and make your own (half the cost). Buy the side chain in bulk, the cross chains in bulk, the cross chain hooks, and the side chain closers (just need on outside side chain, as the inside is just a simple hook.

You will get a much better rigging than on-line too. IMO

My home-made chains.

 

[LBrown59]

Go to some tractor supply places, or truck supply houses, and make your own (half the cost). Buy the side chain in bulk, the cross chains in bulk, the cross chain hooks, and the side chain closers (just need on outside side chain, as the inside is just a simple hook.

You will get a much better rigging than on-line too. IMO

My home-made chains.

I made a couple of sets for my 1966 Bolens out of old car chains back about 1966.
Worked very well these past 43 years and still going.

 

[Matt_Jr]

Had to cut up a pair for my truck to fit my tractor. I had two sets for the truck. I've never put them on the front, so I didn't think cutting up the second pair would be a bad idea. I gave up looking for them and just started cutting. They're a little loose right now, but I'll take a few more links out in the spring.

 

[kennyd]

Go to some tractor supply places, or truck supply houses, and make your own (half the cost). Buy the side chain in bulk, the cross chains in bulk, the cross chain hooks, and the side chain closers (just need on outside side chain, as the inside is just a simple hook.

You will get a much better rigging than on-line too. IMO

My home-made chains.

Never seen 6-link chains before...2 and 4's but never 6.

 

[whistlepig]

Go to some tractor supply places, or truck supply houses, and make your own (half the cost). Buy the side chain in bulk, the cross chains in bulk, the cross chain hooks, and the side chain closers (just need on outside side chain, as the inside is just a simple hook.

You will get a much better rigging than on-line too. IMO

My home-made chains.

I'll have to admit that is about the best fit I have seen on chains. I think I'll try to make my own also. I need chains and some weight on the rear in the worst way. Do you remember what type chain you used for the cross chain?

 

[thatguy]

Go to some tractor supply places, or truck supply houses, and make your own (half the cost). Buy the side chain in bulk, the cross chains in bulk, the cross chain hooks, and the side chain closers (just need on outside side chain, as the inside is just a simple hook.

You will get a much better rigging than on-line too. IMO

My home-made chains.

You got my interests up... Is there a 'special' type of chain needed for snow chains? What is the difference between the side and cross chains?

thanks

b

 

[atgreene]

Labonville is pretty good to deal with and may not have been cleaned-out as they are a Northern New England Co that doesn't specialize in chains, but logging equip. A set of truck chains would work fine, that's what we've used for years on our tractors when we didn't have regular tractor chains.

Tire Chain - Labonville Inc.

Their website also gives you dimentions for cross chains etc..., which you can buy individually.

Studded Cross Chains Complete With Connecting Hooks - Double Studded Single Truck Chains - Labonville Inc.

And fwiw, if your going to do much work with chains, either buy the side S type hooks (pic below) or buy the chain pliers. I wouldn't work on chains w/o the pliers. Linkmaster Tool For Repairing Truck Chains - Tire Chain Tighteners & Accessories - Labonville Inc.

The S hooks allow you to make cross chains w/o tools (except a chain cutter) and the chain rotates so it doesn't wear in one place. They are worth it if you are doing basic cross chains.

Large Repair Pliar

 

[beenthere]

For making up the chains, I used 6/0 side chain and 9/0 cross chain. Both can be found in bulk at truck supply stores, and/or can be seen/ordered on Tire Chains by TireChains.com

Tire Chains Cross Chains Click on the side chain tab or scroll down near the bottom/end of the page.

Also can get hardened 3/8 cross chain that works well.

atgreene has some good suggestions too.