New tire chains

whistlepig · Jan 22, 2011

No to both. I've lost myself. If someone finds me before I return please ask me to wait on myself. February of last year. Thanks for the correction.

chevy292 · Jan 23, 2011

Were you pleased with the difference that they made for you? I mostly use this machine on a dirt road so I'm not really worried about the tires spinning. However I do occasionally use the machine on a paved road and driveways. I know that if i let the tires spin they will mark up the pavement, but as long as I don't spin them there should be no markings left from the chains.....right?

RoyJackson · Jan 23, 2011

chevy292 said:
Were you pleased with the difference that they made for you?

I have been...but we haven't had a snow event that have really put them to the test yet (IMHO).
The two places I'd normally lose traction (end of the drive where the county plow leaves packed snow and the road in front of my property) were no problem.
As an aside, one way to keep those county plows from filling in the ends of your drive is to plow 50 or 60 feet up the road (from the entrance to your drive). Since I'm on the road to clear out in front of my mailbox, I just do that extra plowing described above....works too (at least for the snows I've had so far).

whistlepig · Jan 23, 2011

chevy292 said:
Were you pleased with the difference that they made for you? I mostly use this machine on a dirt road so I'm not really worried about the tires spinning. However I do occasionally use the machine on a paved road and driveways. I know that if i let the tires spin they will mark up the pavement, but as long as I don't spin them there should be no markings left from the chains.....right?

I have studded chains and these will mark up the pavement and concrete. I have a gravel drive. I do take these chains out on the road when I turn around at the end of my driveway. It hasn't hurt the road yet. They started chewing up the concrete floor in my garage. I had to put rubber horse mats under them. I jack the tractor up to mount them. I can spin the tire and keep working the chain until I get a snug fit.

Jerry/MT · Jan 23, 2011

chevy292 said:
Thanks for all the advice guys. I still have my backhoe on for weight so I'll be able to use that to lift the tires off the ground. I realize it is late in the season to be buying chains, but boy oh boy did I have a hard time finding a company that had the right size in stock.

I was originally looking to get a set of basic 4 link chains....couldn't find them anywhere....so I ended up ordering a set of duo grip chains. For those that have used them, how do you like them?

If you have ag tires (R1's) then you'll like the duo grip chains. Unlike the "ladder" chains,they don't get between the lugs and become ineffective.

beenthere · Jan 24, 2011

RoyJackson said:
.......... BTW, not to disagree with Beenthere's instructions, but the chains from tirechains.com do have a specific "inside" and "outside" chain.
...........

Roy

You didn't disagree with me. It is why I said to decide which is which.

I have my inside chain just the right length, and drape over the tire after jacking the tire up (as leveled previously mentioned) and fasten the inside chain. No extra links to flop around on the inside. Then when the outside are fastened and tight, there are two extra links hanging loose. Not a problem. And because the cross links are the right length, no need for any tighteners or tensioners.

chevy292 · Jan 26, 2011

The chains finally showed up!! I got them put on this morning, very easy with all the advise given so thank you for that! I'm very impressed with how much traction they add. In 2wd with the chains it's equally as good as 4wd without the chains. I was really impressed with what I was able to do in 4wd with the chains on. I pushed back snow banks that I couldn't budge before.

So now i'm curious what it would be like having chains on the front too.....I have an old set of truck chains that are the right width but much too long. I think I will cut them down to fit.

Those of you running chains front and back, did you see a big gain adding the fronts?

Thanks again for all the advise!!

-Joshua

joeyd · Jan 27, 2011

I started the season with rear chains only but I noticed that the front end was getting pushed around a little or not always going in the direction I was wanting to go on hardpack or ice. I added the fronts and no problem at all now. I am running R-4's with 4 link v-bars all around with a 68" rear snowblower.