moeh1
Gold Member
awdirect had a really good price on chain pliers when I bought a couple years ago ( but not as heavy duty as tirechans model). Bolt cutters work OK for repairs but the chain pliers are the way to go for the amount you need to do.
Modifying chains
- Thread starter MikeInEburg
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varmint
Elite Member
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2003
- Messages
- 2,572
- Location
- Northern Maryland
- Tractor
- Kubota B8200, then a Kubota L3130 HST, now a Kubota L3400 HST
Side chains vs. cross chains sounds about right. Those double hooks that link the two types of chains were indeed a malleable steel, albeit not something you'd bend with pliers, no matter how strong you are. But, with a good vise and prying tools, no problem. I will take a photo when I install the chains for this winter. I had plans to clean and apply slipit to the blade and bucket, but cold + wet weather has waylaid those plans, for now.
Reverend Blair
Silver Member
Yeah, get the tool. I have one I picked up at auction for ten bucks (and it came with a sledge hammer...I love auctions, it's usually a pretty pricey tool) and it's a truly beautiful thing. Snaps the link open and squeezes it back tight.
pat32rf
Veteran Member
Spent two hours today in the garage working on mine. Shoulda done it in Sept but.....
I have an old donor set but the crosses are too short so I'm welding two regular links to each end of them, then adding the new (?) crosses between existing ones. Vise, pry bar and hammer works for me, but my time is cheap (and fingers cold). Been making my own chains since 72, too late now to buy the right tools unless I find them used.
I have an old donor set but the crosses are too short so I'm welding two regular links to each end of them, then adding the new (?) crosses between existing ones. Vise, pry bar and hammer works for me, but my time is cheap (and fingers cold). Been making my own chains since 72, too late now to buy the right tools unless I find them used.
BeeferMan
Gold Member
The last set of chains I bought were ones that didn't require any tools to change the cross links. There's a hook that comes through a link in the side chains, the end link on the cross chains has a slightly flattened section that when turned sideways can just slip through the opening of the hook. Works great, I've never had one come loose.
Can't remember the brand, I'll try to get that a picture or two and post back...
Edit - found a picture of what I was talking about. Note the small "notch" on the middle of the end link in the cross chain - that slips through the hook the comes through the side links. Works slick...
Can't remember the brand, I'll try to get that a picture or two and post back...
Edit - found a picture of what I was talking about. Note the small "notch" on the middle of the end link in the cross chain - that slips through the hook the comes through the side links. Works slick...
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pat32rf
Veteran Member
Somewhere I've got some of those hooks from Beeferman's chains but never knew what they were for. Have to find them in my barn....
kennyd
Advertiser
I have been looking for a set of chains on CL to modify my 4-link chains into 2-links... i may need to borrow that tool Mike:laughing:
Just a heads up, because of wear, older used chain is always longer than new chain. With wide tires the difference in lengths of the cross chains, link for link can be quite a bit with the same size chain. I broke a few cross chains years ago, replacing broken ones with new chain did not work out all that well. Finally built a new set.
