How tight are your chains?

[rekees4300]

I keep them tight as possible. Have learned they will eventually come off if loose. Also will come off using tensioner springs.

There are many factors involved such as the type of tire, clearances, type of ground surface, sharp turns, amount of use, etc. Best thing to do is just try different things until you find the right combo for your situation. The main thing to avoid is having the chains hit your tractor and causing damage.

 

[Wayne_H]

Make 'em tight!

 

[DanD78]

If your tires are not loaded let the air out, fit your chains tight then blow the tires back up.

Dan D.

 

[glc24]

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

They are in the wide pos.,but it's still close for loose chains.

Greg

 

[grsthegreat]

I followed tirechains.com video and mine are very tight...no slack at all. I also use spring binders. They work GREAT

 

[Millalien]

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

Ditto. I like 'em snug and work to get the inside link tight, then the outside, then the tensioners with a ratchet, and re-tighten after running around a bit. I cable tie loose ends. I pluck the tensioners all winter.

My nightmare is that the chain slips off and wraps the axle, although I've never read any chain failure stories. That said, I think the real key is to have right sized chains to start with. If they are, it's hard to figure how they'd slip off and it seems like the tensioners are just taking up slack so the things don't rattle around so much.

 

[AKfish]

I'm another "righty-tighty" chain guy! I've found that whenever the going gets tough.. and you're having to work the tractor to get out of a bad spot - you don't want the chain or chains coming off!

Nothing is worse than being stuck and having to dig the wheels out to reattach the chains!!

I'd rather dig balled up hay outta a baler when it's 105F in the shade than crawl around in a frozen snowdrift trying to get a 150lb chain back on the wheel!!

AKfish

 

[CaptainNoah]

I have just ordered a John Deere 1026r which is 4 wdr. Question. Not having received the tractor or owner manual, can I put chains on it?

 

[glc24]

I have just ordered a John Deere 1026r which is 4 wdr. Question. Not having received the tractor or owner manual, can I put chains on it?

Welcome to TBN
In a word.......yes.:thumbsup:

Greg

 

[CaptainNoah]

Thanks, I was hoping that was the answer. Q. where did you buy yours?