New chains for CK 20 HST PLUS NH Update

CBB · Sep 18, 2006

23x8.50x12
Purchased v-bar 2 link chains for the front tires in anticipation of winter work using (as per recommendation here) the above company. Those chains have a rockwell rating of 56, which I believe is pretty darn good.
I liked the quick email by the sales dept. which wrote:
What is the difference between 2 and 4 link spacing? Spacing is defined as the number of side chain links skipped between cross chains. For 2 link spacing, cross chains occur every 2 side chain links. For 4 link spacing, cross chains occur every 4 side chain link.
Which is better 2 or 4 link spacing? 2 link is always better. It provides for a more consistent ride by having more chain on the face of the tire. Therefore, helping to reduce the bumpy ride from being on chain - off chain. 2 link is always recommended for steering tires, since it allows more steering control.
When are V-Bar chains recommended? V-bar are helpful on hill, ice and hard packed conditions. They are not recommended on pavement since they can damage the surface it the tires begin to spin.

My neighbor, a retiree who is 80 years young just got a NH 32 with loader beginning of the summer. I have worked the pants off my CK 20 and his has sat in the shop. At least they are standing by it but he has really been aggravated by all the little repairs needed. He had less problems buying older used equipment than buying his first new tractor. Anyhow, for what he paid...I would have bought the undisputed (in my opinion based on actual observations) cadillac of tractors, a JD. For what I paid for my CK20, it is fabulous and is just the right size for fitting up and down the rows on our fruit farm.

I mowed with the six foot King Cutter finishing mower yesterday for 4 hours and it cut like crazy. Went through golden rod, brambles and mostly grass that was a foot long. I really liked raising the bucket and driving throught the raspberries. the mower along the ground mowed right under the branches, while the tractor, with the 54" bucket raised minimized damage to the bushes.

So in conclusion...

Neighbor very disappointed with NH--might change mind eventually if performance improves. Dealer is standing by it.

My CK20 mowing like crazy and now has chains for the front tires. Zero problems first 120 hours of use. Super!

Dmace · Sep 18, 2006

So you are only putting chains on the front tires?

CBB · Sep 18, 2006

Well yes. What would you do?

Actually, with the Wood 4 pt frame for the back hoe, there is not room on a CK20 for chains... not enough clearance.

VictorW · Sep 18, 2006

My weather is similar to yours, CBB. I have Industrial tires on my CK30 and was surprised how well it did last winter with no chains. Of course, it did slide on ice but in 4x4 with the diff locked, one of the tires usually had good footing. I had chains ready for my rear tires just in case but never need them. I'd rather put chains on the rear and have the heavier duty axle do the pulling or pushing but with your BH mount, you're kind of stuck. I have also purchased chains from the same company as you and have no complaints. Have fun this winter. Maybe we'll get hit harder than last year.

Dmace · Sep 18, 2006

I would put chains on either just the rear or both front and rear. Maybe it's the weight of the cab or the loaded tires, but traction with the Industrials was never a problem and I have a pretty steep driveway. I guess it's good to have either way. Let us know how it goes.

CBB · Sep 19, 2006

I am glad you have been having success in the snow and ice on slopes. Maybe I won't need the chains. Our JD 990 with FEL & loaded Ag. tires (maybe these are part of the problem) was pretty helpless somedays so we had to put chains back on the rear. Last year the JD was in the shop and the bigger Kubota seldom starts in the winter (this is the one that has been a real lemon for 15 years) so we used the neighbors smaller (like 25 hp) Kubota. I tried to do the driveway but it was useless...just slid around. I had to use the bucket to "push" the tractor back enough so I could return it. I just used the car, which had studless snow tires to beat the snow down until we got the tractor with chains back. If the CK20 was like the 4 x 4 Kubota, it would deemed useless by me in the snow and ice so I figured the chains would be a good thing. Due to the limitations imposed by the use of the Woods backhoe, instead of the Kioti version, I am stuck with just the option of front chains. If what you say is correct, I would be pleased as punch. If we have different ideas of effective in snow and ice on slopes, then as a last resort, I will have to remove that big backhoe 4 pt. frame and buy rear chains. I DON'T want to have to do that each year. Yuck.
We have two other Kubotas with permanent chains on both on the rear and they work pretty well. I should add that our AWD and 4 x 4 trucks have sometimes slid down slopes with ice on them. The tires spin like they are on... ice! It can get pretty harry getting speed up to 60 miles per hour hitting the hills, getting almost to the crest and then stopping and then as the truck or car stops, they start to slide backwards even with the brakes on full. At that point, with the help of a little dose of adrenaline and some old Rockford Files (see the kids won't know what this means) driving tips, you throw her in reverse, juice it and do the old 180 slamming it into drive 1/2 way through the spin and driving down the ice slope to try it again...this time at 70 mph. Eventually, we conquer. It is the beauty of being a yankee. Then home to a warm fire with winter held at bay by your home or prior to that, out to the barn to fire up the tractor to clear snow. Hmmm--Chains? I think so but it would be nice to not need them but then again, it might take some of the fun out of winter. By the way, we have fabulous sledding--almost as good as saucer on Christmas vacation

LOL
Have a good day and thanks for commenting.

wnymudd · Sep 23, 2006

Sound like a western new yorker! FYI , I have been clearing my driveway here with a Ford Golden Jubilee, chains, and a 5' box blade without the teeth. It actually works awesome. Dont have the ups and downs as I did when I use the blade. I guess the extra weight of the box blade does the trick. I don't have alot of grade though. Pretty flat. Anyways sorry to butt in but I saw you guys talking about snow and saw you were from wny. Me too.

CBB · Sep 24, 2006

The chains arrived quickly and work well. I still need to tighten them up but I am please.

williekioti · Sep 24, 2006

wnymudd you're always welcome here to hang with fellow ny'ers and NE'ers

. A boxblade huh? Do you pull until full and drag off to side? Or push it in reverse? This will be my first winter with my tractor figured on using the FEL and/or rearblade to clear the white stuff this winter. But a Boxblade is on my short list of accessory "toys" for leveling work and would be interested to hear how it works for snow as well. The extra wieght would be beneficial as well since I do not have chains. I'm hoping to avoid chains to limit damage to both my drive and the town road (dirt). If I tear it up my Hwy Supr is not going to be pleased for sure. Found that out the hard way when I laid some cat-tracks up the road one spring, oops. I wouldn't mind 'em out in the woods though.

CBB those chains caked with fresh mudd sure make that 20 look tough.

You been muddin' out west there?

bearhawk · Sep 25, 2006

I use a 5' boxblade for snow removal.

I have a short but steep driveway, so I'll back down the driveway pushing with the box blade. Then use the loader to pile the white stuff out of the way.

I cannot push a lot of snow up the driveway, I don't have chains but my CK20 does just fine.

Jim