How much space for tire chains required?

CobyRupert · Nov 18, 2013

Thanks for the picture. You should post it here. ...or I can:

I'm geting sick of the sudden panic attacks when I drive up on a stump when I'm on a hillside. Especially if I'm not in low gear. Not that they would tip me over, most of them anyways, but wider would better. Especially since winter is coming and the odd stump is going to be more hid.
I don't think I'm going to add spacers, but just swap the rear rims (I believe that adds 4" to each side) and switch which side the inner hub is bolted to on the outer rim's "tab" (I believe this will add another 2" to each side) totalling a 6" gain on each side. (And reverse/swap the front rims.)
What I've yet to figure out is: When I was measuring where the tires would be moving it out by 6", it looks like the center of the tire will be about where vtsnowdin's are, even without adding 4" spacers? Huh? -

-Could that just be because of the tire size difference between a 5055 and 5075?

vtsnowedin · Nov 18, 2013

CobyRupert said:
Thanks for the picture. You should post it here. ...or I can:

View attachment 346427

I'm geting sick of the sudden panic attacks when I drive up on a stump when I'm on a hillside. Especially if I'm not in low gear. Not that they would tip me over, most of them anyways, but wider would better. Especially since winter is coming and the odd stump is going to be more hid.
I don't think I'm going to add spacers, but just swap the rear rims (I believe that adds 4" to each side) and switch which side the inner hub is bolted to on the outer rim's "tab" (I believe this will add another 2" to each side) totalling a 6" gain on each side. (And reverse/swap the front rims.)
What I've yet to figure out is: When I was measuring where the tires would be moving it out by 6", it looks like the center of the tire will be about where vtsnowdin's are, even without adding 4" spacers? Huh? - -Could that just be because of the tire size difference between a 5055 and 5075?

OK by me on posting the pic. I had posted it before so didn't want to repeat it to the point of boring readers. As to the tire positions , they measure from center to center of the tire so tire size only matters on the total out to out clearance. So a 5075E set position H will be 71.1 inches c to c plus 16.9 inches (half a tire each side) for an out to out of 88.0 inches and a clearance between the tires of 54.2 inches. That痴 15.3 inches wider then if it is set now at position D. That痴 a world of difference going over a stump especially if you have Rim guard in the tires.
Edit to add: Mine measures 94.2 out to out and 67.0 between them.

bennatti · Nov 19, 2013

I'm not adding any new information but here is my 2 cents (if that much)...Five years ago when I bought my 3320 I realized that I couldn't easily fit chains on the tractor...so I installed maxi studs front and back....helped on glare ice but no help in "greasy" snow...so I did install extenders and chains...the extenders were originally only installed to improve stability...but once that was done I said what the heck...drove to Skowhegan and picked up the chains...this pic is from this past September...you can make out the studs on the rear tires (the only reason the snowblower is on

is because I had moved it out of the barn for some touch up painting)

CobyRupert · Nov 19, 2013

Bennatti: Nice looking snow killin' machine. Whose snow blower is that? Ah, must be nice sitting in that cozy rig, out of the wind and cold, probably with some tunes playing and a nice cup of steamin' cocoa.

I had my tractor's wheels widened ~12" today. Haven't been home yet to see what it looks like yet. . Will post pics.

bennatti · Nov 20, 2013

Its a Meteor....my previous tractor (JD 850 - no cab)...was not a pleasant ride when snowblowing!

PILOON · Nov 20, 2013

CobyRupert said:
Has anyone run rear tire chains on their JD 50 series (5075). Particularly ones with the 16.9 - 28 tires. It seems there's about 2, maybe 3 tight, fingers width of room between the treads and the fender. Is this enough room for chains?

On my tractor I can barely fit my hand between fender and tire lugs and I have 3 link studded ice chains installed.
Occasionally when flat out in high gear I do hear an occasional click click when a link makes contact with a fender support rib so I simply wiggle and re tension the chains.
The trick is to have then installed really tight and use tensioners. Mine are made from old inner tubes with S hooks,