L3130 w/R4's & tire chains

[SteveA]

Greetings... Has anyone installed rear tire chains on their L3130 with R-4's without spacers or removing the wheels to widen the footprint?
I was about to order some chains and went out to verify the tire size and noticed a small plate which is part of the 3-pt stabilizer assembly that is welded to the lower ROPS assembly. This plate looks to be about 3/4" away from the wheel creating a very close clearance. I'd like to put chains on this tractor because the snow up here in CT. is getting somewhat deep but not if it is going to be a major problem. Thanks.

 

[moship]

SteveA,

I had the same general question on my L3130 but with turf tires. After a bunch of research and contacting the chain manufacure directly. They recommended a minimum spacing of 3". This seems overkill based on my experience with my other tractor, but then again the chains would hit every once and a while on the JD750. This tractor has about 2" of clearance.

I needed some type of traction aid due to the hills in my area and elected to go with the rubber chains as they only need 1" clearance with the fender. My neighbor has them on his B9200 which is the same size as the JD750 and I never noticed any difference in his ability to traverse deep snow or ice. I just installed them on my tractor last week and did not have any real opportunity to test them out yet. The ride quality versus chains is considerably better. I'm not promoting rubber chains. Only to point out there may be other options available.

Hopefully someone with the same setup will respond.

Regards,

 

[doelake]

Try tire studs on your R-4s, I've been using them on my M59 for about 2 weeks now and they are amazing....great grip on ice and wet snow....inexpensive and removable....for those of us challenged with spacing for tire chains on our kubotas or whatever you operate.

 

[Lightnsound]

Doelake, I've been wondering about studs on the front of my Kubota B7610 to improve steering while snowblowing. What type of studs did you use, and how are they installed? Thanks!

 

[hawkeye08]

Another option if the chains don't work out is the cutting additional grooves. another TBN member did that and reported good results.

 

[doelake]

Hi Lightnsound, the tire studs I used were for atv's....easily purchased from any snowmobile/ atv dealer......approximate cost $50.00 cdn for 500 studs....dimension 1/2" screw depth, 1/4" head dia, 3/16" v-cut head depth.
tire studs can be screwed in with a screw gun with1/4" hex head driver bit. I placed 3 per lug x 36 lugs on each rear tire.....3 per lug x 40 lugs on each front tire.....takes about 1 hour of your time.
The result is that I am able to blow snow backwards up a 10% grade and clear about 8kms of roadway
the studs are carbide and the screw is similar to a drywall thread, but the hex head has a v-cut which cuts into hard pack snow and ice.
A friend of mine suggested this when we had trouble finding chains that would fit into the narrow fender wells.....he has been reusing the same studs for three years now:thumbsup:

 

[SteveA]

Thanks for the replies. Tire studs may be a viable option. How are they in deeper snow? I am still hoping to hear from another L3130 owner w/R-4's to see if there is an alternative solution that does break the bank or lower back.:confused2:

 

[hawkeye08]

Hi Lightnsound, the tire studs I used were for atv's....easily purchased from any snowmobile/ atv dealer......approximate cost $50.00 cdn for 500 studs....dimension 1/2" screw depth, 1/4" head dia, 3/16" v-cut head depth.
tire studs can be screwed in with a screw gun with1/4" hex head driver bit. I placed 3 per lug x 36 lugs on each rear tire.....3 per lug x 40 lugs on each front tire.....takes about 1 hour of your time.
The result is that I am able to blow snow backwards up a 10% grade and clear about 8kms of roadway
the studs are carbide and the screw is similar to a drywall thread, but the hex head has a v-cut which cuts into hard pack snow and ice.
A friend of mine suggested this when we had trouble finding chains that would fit into the narrow fender wells.....he has been reusing the same studs for three years now:thumbsup:

The first ones I found on the internet were way expensive, but I looked some more and found some more reasonable priced.
Ice Studs

 

[doelake]

Hawkeye08, mine are the ice pro 1/2" ice studs on the list you posted.
SteveA, I just came in from plowing my campground roads.....only 1" of wet snow...so I swapped my rear snowblower for a 7' drag blade....imagine the weight of snow I pulled, no problem with traction up or down grade....deep snow doesn't affect traction either......I gotta tell ya, I'm one happy camper!!!:laughing: