How tight are your chains?

[Gobblin Tom]

The dealer took my tractor the other day and added the chains to the rear wheels. They have a little slack in them and are not hitting anything, not sure if I should use bungees and tighten them some? The ride definitely got a lot worse!!!!! They are some serious chains.... My other garden tractors or quad I always kept them pretty tight.... I am just looking for some input on what people do with their tractor chains???

 

[RoyJackson]

My 4 link ladders are very snug and I use binders to keep 'em tight.
I can lift the crosslinks an inch or two off the tread, but they aren't loose at all.
Per the folks at tirechains.com, loose chains wear considerably faster...

 

[JB4310]

You will get both sides of the equation, some like them loose. I am at the other extreme, I make them as tight as possible, even the extra loose links I zip tie so you can't here any loose chain.

Some say you don't need tensioners, I don't agree and use at least 4 point slack take up between the side chain.

JB

 

[Marveltone]

I put mine on as tight as I can get them. Then I drive around a bit and tighten them again. As long as the spring tensioners stay tight from that point, I'm happy.

Joe

 

[brokenknee]

Another vote for tight chains. I use bungees to take the slack out.

 

[beenthere]

I don't keep mine tight, and don't put any of the bungees on either.
If the chains are cut to fit the tire, then no need for bungees to take up slack that shouldn't be there in the first place.
Some tire chains just come close to fitting, and are often oversize for the specific tire size.
But I've no problem with someone wanting their chains tight tight.
Just we don't all think that is the best way.

 

[glc24]

Tom,I don't think its a good idea on the 2520 to have them loose.The clearances are just too close for comfort. Mine fit very tight,where I probably don't need to bungee them,but I do anyway. I'll try to get some pics.

even the extra loose links I zip tie

Same here,I don't like anything flopping around.


Greg

 

[BethesdaEC]

Tom,I don't think its a good idea on the 2520 to have them loose.The clearances are just too close for comfort. Mine fit very tight,where I probably don't need to bungee them,but I do anyway. I'll try to get some pics.


Same here,I don't like anything flopping around.


Greg

The clearances are much better if you have the tires in the wide position.

 

[whbrittain]

I have a 2305 and I tighten the chains as much as possible, drive around with them for awhile and then retighten them and then add a couple of bungee cords. Even with all this, I usually have to retighten them a couple of times over the winter. BTW I have filled tires so they don't deform a whole lot.

 

[Gobblin Tom]

The clearances are much better if you have the tires in the wide position.

They are in the wide position already. My chains are not all that loose but I can hear them jingle a little bit. I'm thinking I better get the bungees out... Does anyone bungee the inside of the tires along with the outside?