L3301 snow chains

[JWR]

Couple of comments: I installed Bora brand spacers on my B2150 primarily for stability and roll-over prevention (comfort too) on steeper ground. Downside is that the belly mower is not compatible with spaced-out wheels. Very happy with the Bora spacers -- obviously well made and designed with every little detail in mind. There is definitely a big reason for spacers unrelated to chains if you work steep ground.

About chains, I view them as a last resort. With R4 tires if you do much snow removal you probably have no choice. As Fallon or someone said, try using just front chains first and see if you can get by with just them. (Timing not good since Garandman has already installed spacers but ...) My thinking is that front-only chains will handle most cases and not have to resort to the big rear chains. I have another B2150 in a different location (where there is a lot more snow) and in buying the second B2150 (an old used one) I came into a set of Ag tires (R1's) for it. I had already bought front chains but now with the R1's I have yet to put the chains on. Hel would freeze before I paid $500 for a set of chains.

I confess I do not have a repetitive day-in-day-out snow removal circumstance. In the area where I have the B2150 with R1 tires I typically arrive for a winter weekend, either have to use the 5ft snowblower (when I'm faced with 2 or 3 feet of packed snow) or else just a little loader or rear blade cleanup.

 

[Fallon]

Hel would freeze before I paid $500 for a set of chains..

That is the typical motivation for buying any tire chains at any price...

 

[SDT]

I will have to disagree with that, on any hard surface be it frozen ground or pavement ladder dou-grip chains are bouncy riding and while they increase traction some they will slip especially on pavement.
The European or Aquiline Talon type chains are much better and actually smooth riding, they grip so well they don't tear up pavement.
Tire Chains-Studded-Tractor
View attachment 573248 View attachment 573249 View attachment 573250
Once you use this style of chain you will know that they are the best working chain for most any purpose.
I have tried most every style imaginable.

Read my post again.

I said that two link ladder chains will be fine. I did not recommend duo grip or duo grip ladders. Nor did I say either is "best."

I've been using two link ladder chains on asphalt for decades. They increase traction monumentally (not just "some") in snow, and I have never experienced any asphalt damage regardless of slippage. They are also considerably less expensive than Aquiline chains.

See below.

tractor-tire chains-tractor chains

SDT

 

[LouNY]

Heck, I would like to pay less then $500 a set, mine run over that each.
But a quality chain will pay for itself in traction and stability.
The more traction they add the less you will spin and damage your driveway or roads.
Also while the chains for the front will cost less because they are smaller tires,
they will also not provide as much traction going or stopping. Also when plowing or
pushing snow if you drop a front tire in the ditch or over a bank you will spin and chew
and maybe get out, maybe not, Rear chains on the larger tire will work better.

 

[LouNY]

Read my post again.

I said that two link ladder chains will be fine. I did not recommend duo grip or duo grip ladders. Nor did I say either is "best."

I've been using two link ladder chains on asphalt for decades. They increase traction monumentally (not just "some") in snow, and I have never experienced any asphalt damage regardless of slippage. They are also considerably less expensive than Aquiline chains.

See below.

tractor-tire chains-tractor chains

SDT

They do cost less, they also provide way less traction and they ride rougher and bouncier on hard surfaces.

 

[SDT]

They do cost less, they also provide way less traction and they ride rougher and bouncier on hard surfaces.

Agreed.

Never said that they would be "best."

Said that they would be fine, and they will be at considerably lower cost.

SDT

 

[Gordon Gould]

posted by JWR
Hel would freeze before I paid $500 for a set of chains..

That is the typical motivation for buying any tire chains at any price...

I love it !!!!!

gg

 

[BAP]

Makes a difference on wether you consider $500 a lot for a good set of chains on where you live. If you live somewhere where a big storm is 4” of snow 2 or 3 times a year or if you get 2 to 3 snow storms a week running any where from 4” to 36” at a time.

 

[Garandman]

The Ofa Eko8 chains were $485 and the fronts $130. They will go on from Nov 1 until late March.

Our place is on the slope of Mount Sunapee, at the same elevation as the base lodge. Yearly snowfall averages 120 In 2015 we only got 32 while in 2017 we got 170.. There are few thaws.

I might get by with front chains for plowing but in the woods, no way: BTDT. Not going to economize a couple hundred bucks on a $20,000 asset.

 

[SDT]

The Ofa Eko8 chains were $485 and the fronts $130. They will go on from Nov 1 until late March.

Our place is on the slope of Mount Sunapee, at the same elevation as the base lodge. Yearly snowfall averages 120 In 2015 we only got 32 while in 2017 we got 170.. There are few thaws.

I might get by with front chains for plowing but in the woods, no way: BTDT. Not going to economize a couple hundred bucks on a $20,000 asset.

I ordered the 2-link ladder chains for my B3350 today. These are the same as the 2 link F & R chains that I have had for my B1750HSDT for about 25 years.

I paid $236.89 for the rears and $43.36 for the fronts. Since my order (including other items) totaled over 1,000 lbs., shipping is free.

Admittedly, this is not a deal that most folks can get but for a grand total of $280.25, it makes the 2-link ladders a no brainer, since I have no discount connections for the Aqualine chains that would cost me at least three times as much, delivered.

The most significant advantage that I can see for the Euro style chains is that they are considerably lighter since they use much smaller chain. As a result, they would be considerably easier to install.

SDT

 

[LouNY]

I don't see them as being any lighter then ladder chains,
The advantage of the Euro style are two, a much smoother ride and much greater traction.
They aren't any easier to install, but I have had considerable experience installing chains.
But enjoy the ones you have and they will most likely work good enough for your needs.

 

[Garandman]

Ordered the Ofa chains and front diamond chains from Windy Ridge Supply.
Fronts $130, rears $485.
Delivery $65.

They never answered emails but answered the phone. Asked them to leave them on the porch. The driver opened the tailgate, dumped the box off onto the driveway, and drove away. Not like they could be damaged and doubt the driver could have picked the box up anyway.

Probably install mid November.



Made note 撤lease

 

[John_Mc]

Ordered the Ofa chains and front diamond chains from Windy Ridge Supply.
Fronts $130, rears $485.
Delivery $65.

They never answered emails but answered the phone. Asked them to leave them on the porch. The driver opened the tailgate, dumped the box off onto the driveway, and drove away. Not like they could be damaged and doubt the driver could have picked the box up anyway.

Probably install mid November.

I'm sure you'll be happy with them. You'll want to allow a little extra time the first time you install them. They are a little different to get on than the ladder style chains, plus you'll need to make a couple of adjustments andprobably need to trim a couple excess links off the length. (If your tires are really worn, leave an extra couple of links, so you have enough to reach around a new tire with full tread).

 

[Garandman]

Just plowed with them for the first time. 14” of very heavy snow.

Wow, what a difference!

 

[LouNY]

Good to hear that. :drink:

 

[John_Mc]

Just plowed with them for the first time. 14” of very heavy snow.

Wow, what a difference!

The only downside of the Ofa Eko chains is that they are expensive - but once they have been used in a demanding application, I've yet to run into anyone who regrets the purchase.

 

[Garandman]

What are people using for tensioners? I’ve just got an assortment of bungee cords right now.

Bought a set but I think they might be too small.

The only downside of the Ofa Eko chains is that they are expensive - but once they have been used in a demanding application, I've yet to run into anyone who regrets the purchase.

I’m working alone most of the time, in diverse terrain. Been stuck in the woods a few times and it wasn’t a good feeling.

As far as I can tell these will last many years so purchase price starts to disappear as a factor.

 

[LouNY]

On mine I don't run any, one of the flyers that came with one of my sets wanted the chains (the euro style) to actually be a bit loose and be able to move around the tire. Loose being able to get a fist under the chain. They also did not want tensioners.

 

[Garandman]

But that bugs me!

I have a little more than a fist of slack, going to see what I can pull in.

 

[John_Mc]

But that bugs me!

I have a little more than a fist of slack, going to see what I can pull in.

You are supposed to have slack in this style chain. About a fist of slack is right where you want to be. See attached installation instructions.

I "drive" mine onto the tires as shown in the instructions, and hook them right up. Using this method, I never have to go back and re-tension the chains. They wrap around tightly enough that I can get them hooked up appropriately the first time. The same technique worked with my ladder style chains. When I tried Duo-Grips (only used one season), I could not quite get them tight enough just driving them on: I had to drive around for a minute, then re-tighten. Once I figure out the correct link, I spray paint that link with some bright color before I take the chains off, so I know what to shoot for the next time. (I generally leave an extra couple of links when initially fitting the chains to my tires, rather than cutting all of the extra off. My tires are somewhat worn, and I want to make sure I have enough length to fit when I eventually replace the tires.)