Grading New to me Kubota M59

[Gasifier]

Hey gasifer, a big heads up - those chains are going to walk side to side. Get a spider on the outside. Something with HD springs not bungees. You should consider shortening the inside chains to keep them further away from the steering and axel components...they look awfully close to stuff you dont want to hook onto while driving.

I have seen them “walking a bit already. I will get some chains and/or springs on the outside. They look closer on the inside of tire in the picture than they actually are. I’ll be keeping a close eye on them and improving clearance whenever I can. That’s a nice thing about front loader and bucket. Pick the front up and can adjust easy if needed.

 

[Gasifier]

I agree. That set of chains is getting there, but go slow until you see how the chains walk when turning under torque. It always took me several tries before I got the chains to fit right. Eventually as you modify the chains for best fit, you may find you get the best fit to the tire profile by using "X" bars across the tire tread instead of cross bars to link inside to outside chains. The "X" cross bars use an "O" in the center to connect the four legs.

Like Mikester says, if you are going to have all that extra chain on the inside then you will want to have very sturdy spider connections right across the outside face so that the chain cannot move to the inside. I've used the heavy rubber bands with hooks to tension the chain on the outside face of the tire. That works surprisingly well, but I never could make myself believe that it would last.....it did pretty good though. I've never tried his spring idea - they might be better.

What I did with my best pair was use the rubber band & hooks to show me the right shape - and then I used them - and then replaced the rubber parts with solid chains all connecting to an "O" in the center of the outer wheel face.

Getting chains right takes a while - but it's worth doing.
rScotty

Yup. Will be experimenting and improving as needed. Keeping a close eye on things and improving BEFORE any rubbing, hitting, or catching happens. Will keep you posted on how things are going with work in the woods this week. Thanks!

 

[mikester]

I have seen them 努alking a bit already. I will get some chains and/or springs on the outside. They look closer on the inside of tire in the picture than they actually are. I値l be keeping a close eye on them and improving clearance whenever I can. That痴 a nice thing about front loader and bucket. Pick the front up and can adjust easy if needed.

Here's a photo of a low cost home made spring spider using HD springs from the hardware store.

 

[Gasifier]

I’m going to have to do something. I put some fairly heavy springs on the outside to try to prevent the chains from moving. Didn’t work. They are moving. And starting to rub on the inside. I brought it up to my other neighbor to see if he wanted a job. He said sure. He’ll try to figure it out. He has all the tools of metal working and a lot of experience. Machinist/Welder/Fabricator. I have faith in him.

 

[mikester]

I’m going to have to do something. I put some fairly heavy springs on the outside to try to prevent the chains from moving. Didn’t work. They are moving. And starting to rub on the inside. I brought it up to my other neighbor to see if he wanted a job. He said sure. He’ll try to figure it out. He has all the tools of metal working and a lot of experience. Machinist/Welder/Fabricator. I have faith in him.

All you need is a good set of bolt cutters, a set of chisels and a 5 lb sledge hammer and a block of wood to work on. And some patience to get them to fit right. You will need to remove some links on the inside part as well as adding the spider. Be prepared to drive around with the chains on a bit, then re-tighten everything. Repeat.

Mine are simple ladder style chains and easier to adjust. Yours will likely need some extra fiddling to get the chains to fit right.

Good luck! Now you know why I only put the chains on when I really have to...

 

[Gasifier]

Sometimes I have to go work on something else that I enjoy. Especially when I’m on vacation. LOL I’ll pay him to fix them while I go enjoy working with my chainsaw. Clearing a new trail while making firewood as well.

 

[Gasifier]

So my neighbor was pretty busy trying to get another project done he had already started for another guy. So I told him no problem and I would take the M59 back and see what I could do with it. I then went and did a google search on heavy duty chain tensioner and clicked on images. I found this product a company sells and decided to put my own together. My neighbor said he would make the plates up for me and we came up with adding the center plate for two more tension points.

Okay? Everything seems to have changed on site. Where did the picture thingy go? I do not see how to add a picture now. ?

Or is that because of phone upgrade? Technology. I yi yi.

 

[rScotty]

Okay? Everything seems to have changed on site. Where did the picture thingy go? I do not see how to add a picture now. ?

Or is that because of phone upgrade? Technology. I yi yi.

I'm not doing anything this morning - just waiting for the block heater to get things up to temp to help a neighbor later today, so I'll try to post a picture & see what's changed.

Let's see... the segquence I've always used is:
go advanced/manage attachments/add files/choose files/upload/done. Hmm.....that seems to work for me. No difference from before.

 

[Gasifier]

I have upgraded to a new phone so things are completely different from here. I am not in that zenforo thingy anymore. need to figure out how to get back to that. Let me see......yup. Can’t do it in that order. After advanced there is no manage.....

 

[Gasifier]

Now I’m in the forum through tapatalk. Back to normal.

So here is what I found.....



And here is what I put together with my neighbor making the plates and cutting me some short lengths of chain. Things have improved since these pictures.

 

[Gasifier]

Failure. I worked the tractor for about ten minutes. Not even. Chains loosened and walked. Appears the nuts loosened right up. The chains will need re-adjusting, then re-tightening and I guess I will add lock nuts. Ugh! But I have long lost company home for the holidays so I am not spending the time working on tractor chains. Time to have fun and relax. We took the four wheelers for a ride through the woods. A chilly ride, but fun!

 

[Gasifier]

I lifted the front of the tractor off the ground today and blocked it up. Readjusted the chains and tightened them to a really nice fit. Installing lock washers and lock nuts so that those nuts couldn’t loosen.

I went to work with the M59. The chains stayed tight. And the one on the left tire still walked inward. I couldn’t get them any tighter.

Frustrating and keeping me from getting much done with the tractor. So I blocked it back up and took the chains right off. Then went and got some work done with the tractor.

I went with the chains for the front tires because they were cheaper. $496 for the fronts. Ouch

But the same chains for the rear tires were almost $1,000. And I would of had to buy the spacers for the rears at about $490. I guess I should have went with the rears.

 

[rScotty]

That number sounds familiar. I think $500 is about what we paid to build the front chains for our M59. They still hang on the fence under the eve of the barn. Those chains seem to have taken up residence there and are getting old and weathered. I remember when they were all bright and shiny and new....

I think I tried them on once to see if they fit, and still haven't ever used them for wintertime work. It wouldn't surprise me if getting them right was a similar job to what you are going through. So far we've been lucky that the M59 hasn't needed winter chains. I'm guessing that is partly due to the climate change, and partly that the M59 is more capable than I thought it would be when working in a foot or so of snow and ice.

Our previous 3 tractors all ran chains, two of them front and back both. From what I remember, they were always stretching and wearing. Keeping them tight was a constant process.
rScotty

 

[Gasifier]

I tried it two more times and could not keep the chains on the left front tire. Then I did something I usually don’t do. I quit. I’ve had enough with chains on front, R-4 industrial tires.

A while back I contacted the company and told them about my troubles and asked them if they would take them back. He said he would contact the manufacturer and ask them about it. Yesterday he contacted me and told me they would take them back as long as I cleaned them up. Even sent me a couple of Fed Ex shipping labels to return them in two different boxes. I told him I appreciate it very much. They are cleaned up, dried, and boxed up. And get picked up Monday.

I’m very impressed with Midwest Traction’s return policy. Very nice company. Thank you very much.

 

[mike69440]

I tried it two more times and could not keep the chains on the left front tire. Then I did something I usually don稚 do. I quit. I致e had enough with chains on front, R-4 industrial tires.

A while back I contacted the company and told them about my troubles and asked them if they would take them back. He said he would contact the manufacturer and ask them about it. Yesterday he contacted me and told me they would take them back as long as I cleaned them up. Even sent me a couple of Fed Ex shipping labels to return them in two different boxes. I told him I appreciate it very much. They are cleaned up, dried, and boxed up. And get picked up Monday.

I知 very impressed with Midwest Traction痴 return policy. Very nice company. Thank you very much.

Can you exchange them for a set with smaller section chains, those were monsters?
These are light duty, I go thru 2-3 a winter.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013HDRW98/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
These are better, but only when on sale.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0091RCIR6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You will need chains for a 29" tire. Above are are for a 27" Tire

 

[Gasifier]

Those chains were monsters. And just what I wanted. Some serious bite. But I should have bought the ones for the rear tires and then the spacers needed for the M59 rear clearance. Unfortunately I can’t afford everything right now. However, I did purchase 150 ice studs and the install tool that I thought I would try for now. More affordable and should help.

Tractor Tire Studs | Grip Studs Screw-In Tire Studs | Traction in Ice, Snow and Dirt | Tractor Tire

 

[Gasifier]

Completed the install of ice studs today. They shipped quickly!

 

[goeduck]

Completed the install of ice studs today. They shipped quickly! View attachment 585476View attachment 585477

Nice. Just do not confuse them for grease zerks next summer :laughing:

 

[mike69440]

Nice. Just do not confuse them for grease zerks next summer :laughing:

I installed studs on fronts of my little Mahindra. Should have gotten chains. Minimal improvement. Need for steering, not traction as I have chains on rear.

 

[mikester]

Completed the install of ice studs today. They shipped quickly! View attachment 585476View attachment 585477

They look good! I've been eyeing them for the rears. Please report back and let us know how they did at the end of this season.