How tight are your chains?

[JB4310]

Thanks Greg! I thought that was the case... I went to tractor supply looking at spring tensioners and bungees... Didn't end up buying any cause I couldn't figure out what I wanted to do? I'm thinking about putting 2-3 bungees on the inside and spring tensioners on the outside? How do you tighten yours up?

I've never heard of tensioners on the inside. I tighten the inside chain first and the outside chain last like probably everyone else too. I have some light duty chain and spring tensioners, that work fine. I have seen some really HD tensioners. A couple of the heavy black bungees will work too, 2 of them will give you 6 point contact when V shaped.

Front chains don't over stress the frame or axle. I even checked with Kioti main office thru email, and there perfectly fine with chaining up the front end. wont affect warranty.

Their axles are plenty stout and they actually recommended it if i was plowing.

Some have said not to run fronts only, but I have done that myself as well as all 4

JB

 

[whistlepig]

These are as tight as a banjo string................

 

[glc24]

Thanks Greg! I thought that was the case... I went to tractor supply looking at spring tensioners and bungees... Didn't end up buying any cause I couldn't figure out what I wanted to do? I'm thinking about putting 2-3 bungees on the inside and spring tensioners on the outside? How do you tighten yours up?

Tom,this is all I need as for bungees.
They are tight to begin with,plus I zip tie the loose chain links too.

Greg

 

[glc24]

Curious too... I didn't realize that JD "specifically" warns against front chain use. Where would I find that information?

AK,not sure,but I think I read it on here somewhere.

Greg

 

[Gobblin Tom]

Tom,this is all I need as for bungees.
They are tight to begin with,plus I zip tie the loose chain links too.

Greg

Do you know how long the bungees were 9", 15"?

 

[Gobblin Tom]

These are as tight as a banjo string................

Are those ATV tensioners? Looks like the ones I seen at tractor supply...

 

[Gobblin Tom]

I've never heard of tensioners on the inside. I tighten the inside chain first and the outside chain last like probably everyone else too. I have some light duty chain and spring tensioners, that work fine. I have seen some really HD tensioners. A couple of the heavy black bungees will work too, 2 of them will give you 6 point contact when V shaped.



Some have said not to run fronts only, but I have done that myself as well as all 4

JB

The tensioners on the inside I just figured it would be a little added security that I wouldn't pop the chains off this winter... My driveway can get very interesting... was only going to put 2 bungees on each inside wheel...

 

[whistlepig]

Are those ATV tensioners? Looks like the ones I seen at tractor supply...

I bought my chain tensioners from Tire Chains by TireChains.com

I bought my snow chains from Buy Tire Chains from the Traction Specialistsｩ

 

[JB4310]

The tensioners on the inside I just figured it would be a little added security that I wouldn't pop the chains off this winter... My driveway can get very interesting... was only going to put 2 bungees on each inside wheel...

You really couldn't put them effectively on the inside due to the axle.

The inside will never come loose anyway, since all the slack is taken up on the outside, the inside just keeps getting tighter and tighter from use.
Just make sure you zip tie or tape the locking mechanism, to avoid any surprises in the middle of a storm.

Another reason not to tension the inside is, some of these cuts have close clearance issues. You don't want bunched up chain on the inside, plus it's better to set the inner side chain up near the shoulder of the tire on industrial treads, as it gives a little more clearance to the inner wheel wells.

whistlepig shows some real heavy duty tensioners, nothing would come loose with those on, maybe tough to get them on at first.

JB

 

[glc24]

Do you know how long the bungees were 9", 15"?

Tom,I'm pretty sure they are the 15"


Greg

 

[RoyJackson]

whistlepig shows some real heavy duty tensioners, nothing would come loose with those on, maybe tough to get them on at first.

JB

They are heavy duty tensioners (got a set) and there is a binder tool (which I have...now) available to install those tensioners.

One thing shown in whistlepig's picture is the hooks that tie the tensioner into the chain are in the wrong direction. The hook ends should not be against the tire sidewall. Whistlepig knows this, BTW, as he posted that pic a year ago and someone made note of it then. The error was acknowledged and corrected back then.

 

[JB4310]

They are heavy duty tensioners (got a set) and there is a binder tool (which I have...now) available to install those tensioners.

One thing shown in whistlepig's picture is the hooks that tie the tensioner into the chain are in the wrong direction. The hook ends should not be against the tire sidewall. Whistlepig knows this, BTW, as he posted that pic a year ago and someone made note of it then. The error was acknowledged and corrected back then.

Yeah I noticed that, probably not a huge deal but I would put them out too.

Maybe a little harder to hook them the right way unless you had the install tool.


JB

 

[RoyJackson]

Yeah I noticed that, probably not a huge deal but I would put them out too.

Maybe a little harder to hook them the right way unless you had the install tool.


JB

The binder tool hooks a full link (of the tensioner) and a link of the tire chain, then you close the tool (same as any binder tool). Installing the hook on the tire chain isn't difficult...as long as you give it adequate slack.
From personal experience, you're not going to manually (without the tool) stretch those tensioner springs too far. That's why I have the tool...now.

Tirechains.com sells these tools. They have a picture...I reckon you've been around enough tools to determine how it's used.

 

[Gobblin Tom]

Well I took my tractor out for a bit today, just threw a bungee on each side just for now... Oh yeah I learned a valuable lesson also! So here I go, when I was coming back up the hill on my property today going very slow pulling a little log my left rear wheel stopped?? So I eased forward again and same thing....? I got off the tractor and looked and apparently the one or two zip ties came off the inside and the chain got caught on the axle and rear fender mount! Thank goodness I was going really slow or things could have been really bad. I did bend the little bracket into a "U" shape that you pull the chains tight with, got that straightened out and went to the next link down and pulled the chain way tighter. Moved back to the outside and moved down one link also and had one heck of a time getting that one re-latched.... Actually pulled a muscle in my elbow but I got it and that chain is tight now!!!! I have to do the other wheel now not looking forward to it... I am going to get some heavier zip ties and go nuts with them to pull down that extra chain... They were rubbing against the 3 point arms with log on back, I am hoping when I get everything done correctly they won't hit anymore... I guess I should have never taken it out without checking their work 1st! So shame on me... I also had to tighten a fitting on the right side of my FEL because it was leaking fluid, it was the only fitting that was loose on the short hose, kinda weird?? So that was my exciting 4 hours on the tractor today

 

[SpringHollow]

Personally, I would not use zip ties - way too easy to snap them. I use small D-rings, u-bolts, etc.

Ken

 

[JB4310]

Well I took my tractor out for a bit today, just threw a bungee on each side just for now... Oh yeah I learned a valuable lesson also! So here I go, when I was coming back up the hill on my property today going very slow pulling a little log my left rear wheel stopped?? So I eased forward again and same thing....? I got off the tractor and looked and apparently the one or two zip ties came off the inside and the chain got caught on the axle and rear fender mount! Thank goodness I was going really slow or things could have been really bad. I did bend the little bracket into a "U" shape that you pull the chains tight with, got that straightened out and went to the next link down and pulled the chain way tighter. Moved back to the outside and moved down one link also and had one heck of a time getting that one re-latched.... Actually pulled a muscle in my elbow but I got it and that chain is tight now!!!! I have to do the other wheel now not looking forward to it... I am going to get some heavier zip ties and go nuts with them to pull down that extra chain... They were rubbing against the 3 point arms with log on back, I am hoping when I get everything done correctly they won't hit anymore... I guess I should have never taken it out without checking their work 1st! So shame on me... I also had to tighten a fitting on the right side of my FEL because it was leaking fluid, it was the only fitting that was loose on the short hose, kinda weird?? So that was my exciting 4 hours on the tractor today

How much extra chain do you have? You shouldn't have more than 4-6 links.

Duct tape works too to tie up extra chain and hold the latches locked.

JB

 

[Glen Watkins]

Tie wire works good too!

 

[Gobblin Tom]

How much extra chain do you have? You shouldn't have more than 4-6 links.

Duct tape works too to tie up extra chain and hold the latches locked.

JB

I have that one so tight that you would never be able to get duct tape around them... I'm think some wire.... Not sure on the links probably at least 6...

 

[grsthegreat]

I have that one so tight that you would never be able to get duct tape around them... I'm think some wire....

i used #12 thhn wire and have 2-3 separate loops on all spare chain. If all works out good this year with these settings, ill probibly cut off alot of the extra chain at the end of the season.

 

[Gobblin Tom]

Has anyone ever used the screw in studs? Was thinking about adding some to the rear inbetween the chains and front wheels??