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.

 

[PILOON]

Mine are home made as well.

Got lucky and found a bag of 50 ice grip cross chain c/w hooks installed on EBay for a very reasonable price.

Rigged up a set using crosses every 3rd link and have great traction as well as a nice (not hoppy-hoppy) ride.

Also another luck was finding the 3 ft removal/installation tool to open or close the end hooks.

The side chain is a special linkage. The links are longer than a normal work chain in order to accomodate the cross chain double hooks. Easiest source is to find an old set of worn car chains and recycle the sides.

Another note; The sides are just about always a smaller guage than the crosses so recycled car sides are just right for a CUT.
Chains generally only wear on the cross links from driving on pavement so the sides are always good to recycle.

Shure, it is work, but at $500. a pair I can afford a 1/2 day or so to fab a set.
I'd do it again.

 

[Nuru]

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.

That crossed my mind for my rear Turf Specials as they wanted $400 plus bucks for the pair for the rears - yes my tires are pretty big (41x18x16), but $400 plus was too much for me. These look very good I may revist making my own.

 

[Franko]

All great replies to my original question. Thanks to all who took the time. I now am motivated to get some chains on EBAY or from a tractor supply shop and simply fit them to my tires. Looks very straightforward. Thanks for the encouragement!

 

[Bigboyskioti]

I got my rears off of Craigslist, they were a little big length wise, so I cut them down work great. Fronts came from ebay, they were for an atv i think. They've held up for the last 2 years, still going strong.

 

[bullet3z]

All great replies to my original question. Thanks to all who took the time. I now am motivated to get some chains on EBAY or from a tractor supply shop and simply fit them to my tires. Looks very straightforward. Thanks for the encouragement!

Don't give up on tire chains . com just yet. I ordered my 2 link chains for my Farmall Cub just before the 1st major storm. It took a few times to get through on the phone. They were already getting slamed from all across the Country and Ocean. They said that they have not been this busy for years. I placed my order and told them that I would pick them up in person. A day later they called and said they would take a week to make. A day later they were ready, lucky me. I drove up to good old Johnstown and picked them up in person. Well worth the drive that day, between the storms. They work great on the old Cub. Very nice people to deal with.

 

[Franko]

Don't give up on tire chains . com just yet... .

Well, I ordered from them before, too, and they were great. I know that they are busy and I was willing to wait for the order. It's just that this email from them said that they were out of stock FOR THE SEASON! That tells me that I either wait till next year or find an alternative. Check it out:
==================================
From: sales@tirechain.com
To: fcc0@hotmail.com
Subject: TireChain.com OUT of STOCK Order#125869
Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:05:43 -0500

Dear Frank:
Thank you for your recent purchase at TireChain.com.
The item(s) you selected -GT16-2- is currently out of stock for the season. Your credit card has been credited.
We apologize for inconvenience that this may have caused.
Thank you again for shopping tirechains.com.
Best regards,
TireChain.com
115 Haynes St.
Johnstown PA 15901
814-248-3375
814-495-4526 (fax)
sales@tirechain.com

 

[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 got through by phone to TireChains.com and they were able to make up some chains that would work, even though they are out of stock on my size. They are going to ship them out and they should arrive by tomorrow. They came through for me!

Frank