New tire chains

[chevy292]

Hi everyone,
I have a set of new tire chains on the way! Should be here Tuesday. I have never installed a set of chains on a tire this large before. I understand the basic idea of how they are installed, any good tips to make it nice and easy?

Also, I asked the company if I needed to use a tensioner to keep them tight and they said I don't. Why is this? I thought that they kept the cross chains from slapping the ground. Advice either way would be great.

-Joshua

 

[beenthere]

If the chains fit the tire, there is no need for tensioners. It is when the chains are too big for the tire, that they slap around.

The chains should come with directions.
If not, lay them out so they lay flat, and with no twists in the side chains. Can tell by looking at the side links at the ends if some twisting has ocurred.
Decide which will be the inside chain and the outside. Lay the chain over the tire and try to hook the inside side chain first, then pull the outside together to get it fastened. This may require moving the tire forward or reverse, or what I find is it is easiest to just jack the tire up so the chain moves under and around.

Read up on some of the many threads on TBN about chains, that include pics that will be a big help.

A pic of your chains laid out will be helpful to give you more guidance and what to do next.

 

[Markcuda]

Here is a lot of information on tire chain installations.
Garden Tractor, Snow Blower, ATV Tire Chains Installation Instructions

 

[RoyJackson]

This year was the first time in my 61 years I installed tire chains.
Other then untangling them and the weight, wasn't a bad job at all. There's several videos on Youtube and a very nice one on www.tirechains.com. There's also printable instructions on tirechains.com if you want to refer to them during the installation.
I did the rig to the wheel, then back over them to pull them around the tire thing. BTW, not to disagree with Beenthere's instructions, but the chains from tirechains.com do have a specific "inside" and "outside" chain.
Although I got them tight enough so they don't flop around, I still used bungees as tensioners.

Now, I've got a bad hand from a stroke and two herniated disks. If I can hack installing chains, anybody can.

 

[leveled]

I install with a floor jack easier to get tight. I lay chain across the top then connect at the bottom from behind the tire.

 

[chevy292]

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?

 

[Sumpter]

I got those on my R4's. The only issue I have is that the chain falls between the lugs and from the many threads on here about this it is a common thing that happens.

 

[whistlepig]

Not too late for chains. The reason I bought my chains was because of a heavy snow in mid February this year.

 

[Johnbro]

Not too late for chains. The reason I bought my chains was because of a heavy snow in mid February this year.

?? do you have a time machine or are you just real certain this will happen??

 

[Sumpter]

I'd say a crystal ball. Do you know the next lottery numbers ?

 

[whistlepig]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

.......... 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]

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]

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.