Snow Attachments I installed my snow chains today

[RoyJackson]

No noticeable difference in traction, but a huge difference in ride!! get the 2 link if you can afford them, especially if you have to ever drive on a hard surface, not just paved, but any compacted surface. 4 link will rattle your teeth out of your head, as well as parts off your tractor.

JB

Not a problem...I leave my teeth in a glass in the head...

 

[GPintheMitten]

I haven't used chains for quite a few years. I used to run a Ford 2N with ag tires. The chains really helped.

In the last 3-4 years I've been running a 4wd Kubota B6200 with turf tires. I bought used chains but in practice, I really didn't need them. I was surprised at the traction you get out of the turfs.

Now, I just bought a used B2620 with R4's. Had I bought new, I would have spec'd out the turfs again. So I'm gonna go see if the used chains I bought for the B6200 fit.

Depending on how the winter goes and my first mowing season goes, I might try to trade for turfs.

 

[grsthegreat]

I just jack the wheels off the ground, so I can roll them around. Pull one end of the chain under from the back, catch it on the tire lugs and rotate the wheel, pulling the chain up and over the top. Bring the 2 ends together around the 9 or 3 o'clock position (to the rear), hook the inside lock first, then the outside. The good thing about being able to rotate the tire, is you can work most of the slope out and get them as tight as possible. No need to go back and fool around with them after you drive the machine.

JB

thats the same way i did my 2 link chains...worked great

 

[CTMassey]

I have R4 tires, and tractorchains.com claims that the 4 links might end up sliding in between the treads or something to that effect......another reason I'm leaning towards 2 link.....but maybe I'm over-analyzing as usual....

 

[twinjayhawks]

What do you do???

Install chains on just back tires or all 4? Is there a big difference in traction on a 4WD with front chains?

 

[lungdoc]

Chains on the front do help quite a lot with MFWD tractors, if hilly I would definitely advise but depends on your local situation.

I use 4 link v-bar chains front and regular "Duo-ladder" on the rears. The Duo-grip and Duo-Ladder type use less chain than a 2 link but the joined sections in mid-tire stop chain from slipping into lugs on R4 or R1 tires.

 

[grsthegreat]

I have 2 link ladder and R4 tires, and the chain spacing is fine. They work slick. I tried snowplowing with and without front chains, and without the chains the tractor tended to float to one side if a deflected the blade fully to one side or the other (20 degrees). However with the chains there was ZERO float. So its obvious that it helped. Also, I'm on flat gravel roads.

On concrete i can tell there are chains on the tractor...bumpy.

On gravel i cant even tell i am running chains

 

[JB4310]

I have R4 tires, and tractorchains.com claims that the 4 links might end up sliding in between the treads or something to that effect......another reason I'm leaning towards 2 link.....but maybe I'm over-analyzing as usual....

I have 4 links on the rear, you do lose some of the chain between the industrial treads, but there is still enough to provide the needed traction.
I've got extra chain, I may fill in the 4 link to make it 2 link.

I have 2 link on the front, I made these and all my chains from a craigslist find (see pic) a guy had several pallets of all types of chain he obtained thru a auto supply warehouse purchase, he just wanted them gone. I picked thru them for what I wanted, and paid very little. But I could of got the entire lot for dirt cheap, probably should have.

What do you do???

Install chains on just back tires or all 4? Is there a big difference in traction on a 4WD with front chains?

The fronts help for steering as mentioned above, but also in my case provide that little extra traction I needed, running just front chains.
I was getting by for most of my snow removal work with 4x4 without any chains. But there were some places that I needed just a little extra traction, the front chains did it, and they are so easy to install. Just lift the front of the tractor off the ground with the loader.

I did that for a few years, last year I put the rears on just in time for the record snow we got. Now the thing will climb straight up the steepest bank I can find.

JB

 

[joeyd]

I also run 4 link v-bars, front and rear with my R-4's and there is plenty of chain over the tread to do the job. I have a pretty decent incline on my road and these sure do the job even when icy. When you put them on you can make them cross the R-4 tread then make sure they are tight and you won't have any trouble.

 

[roman]

JB4310 - "That still leaves alot of wrestling with the chains. Though I guess all methods require some bull work, in odd positions."

Not really, because my tires aren't that big. I find placing the blocks and not having to deal with jacking the tractor off the ground is safer (for me). But you are right about bull work in odd positions!
I run 2 link chains that I bought from a local used equipment dealer. I also use them in the woods and they work really well. Ditto for plowing our gravel drive. The lawn hates them!
I have ladder chains for the front, still unused.

I really enjoy comparing the various ways we come to the same end result. One can really learn a lot with the knowledge here.

thanks everyone!