Problems trying to install chains on rear wheels of JD 2320

[whistlepig]

3/4" might even be tight if those chains flop around a bit. Haven't installed mine yet, but after reversing the wheels, I expect to have 1 1/2" (clearance between the chains and fenders) or so.
Don't forget to tighten those chains up after some running (tirechains.com says to tighten them after a quarter mile).

As far as your last statement "...some of the tractor makers have so little clearance between the tire and fender", I doubt if chains are a big priority for most manufacturers. Deere, at least with some models and tire types, does allow for some adjustability. I don't own a Kubota, so I don't know about them...but I have seen Kubotas with chains.

Here's one vid...no chains, but the nut behnd the steering wheel is obviously loose (note the ROPS):
YouTube - Kubota Donuts

Another, again, doesn't appear to have chains but he's doing pretty good:
YouTube - Kubota B7800 clearing snow



I did OK with R-4's (with no chains) in snow...up to about 8" or a bit more. In my case, adequate rear ballast was the key. My drive is fairly level.
I went for chains this year after the double whammy we had in southern PA in Feb 2010. That was about 30-35 inches (two 15+ inch snows within 4 days). Didn't have much trouble with the first snow, once it ended. I use the FEL only, BTW. Second snow was wetter and heavier. Got stuck a few times with that one (used the loader to push back out).

3/4" of clearance isn't near as much as I would like. Kubota could have done better. I had to make sure the chain links are twisted just the right direction so that the cam locks on the chains didn't swing and hit the fender. The chain does adjust tightly on the tire and I have the tirechains.com spring chain tensioner just in case. I did OK all these years also until last winter. We had 19" of snow in one week and 4 days of 25 MPH winds. This land is flat as a pancake for miles and I would push snow for three or four hours and when I got done it looked the same as when I started on the 25 MPH wind days. The 4WD Kubota with R4's spent more time sliding sideways than forward or reverse. Very frustrating. So I went to tire chains and a ballast box this year. When I expressed my disappointment with tractors not having clearance for chains I did not mean to bash a particular brand. I was comparing the modern tractors with my previous 1964 Massey MF135. It had plenty of clearance and adjustable tread width on top of that. When I buy a new tractor that is 46 years newer that has less features that aggravates me. I put my new ballast box on yesterday and filled it with gravel. I did some dirt moving with the loader with the ballast box on . I really like the ballast box.

 

[JD755]

I have never used chains on my 755, and never been stuck. Now there's a statement that probably guarantees I'll get stuck next time out. So sometimes I think about getting chains just to see what difference they would make. Seeing all these clearance problems on other tractors, I do appreciate my minimum clearance of at least 3 1/2 inches.

 

[1972]

3/4" of clearance isn't near as much as I would like. Kubota could have done better. I had to make sure the chain links are twisted just the right direction so that the cam locks on the chains didn't swing and hit the fender. The chain does adjust tightly on the tire and I have the tirechains.com spring chain tensioner just in case. I did OK all these years also until last winter. We had 19" of snow in one week and 4 days of 25 MPH winds. This land is flat as a pancake for miles and I would push snow for three or four hours and when I got done it looked the same as when I started on the 25 MPH wind days. The 4WD Kubota with R4's spent more time sliding sideways than forward or reverse. Very frustrating. So I went to tire chains and a ballast box this year. When I expressed my disappointment with tractors not having clearance for chains I did not mean to bash a particular brand. I was comparing the modern tractors with my previous 1964 Massey MF135. It had plenty of clearance and adjustable tread width on top of that. When I buy a new tractor that is 46 years newer that has less features that aggravates me. I put my new ballast box on yesterday and filled it with gravel. I did some dirt moving with the loader with the ballast box on . I really like the ballast box.

I think we all feel the same way, at least I do. I'm not bashing anything, especially "my baby", but one does have to wonder why they don't see to allow for a bit more clearance today in regards to chains and such. Cosmetics I guess. Those low slung and narrow fenders look "cool".

Ah well, there is always a way to overcome the problem. I'm going to go with either spacers or custom rims, AND, I think I'm going to buy new chains. These were custom made for these wheels, but they are pretty heavy chain. I may go to something lighter to cut down on the profile so there is more clearance.

Always a way.

But I love "John", and I'm sure Kobota owners feel the same about their pride and joy. I'll figure out a way to do this.

Whether you like green, orange, or red, we're all in the same boat.

 

[whistlepig]

I think we all feel the same way, at least I do. I'm not bashing anything, especially "my baby", but one does have to wonder why they don't see to allow for a bit more clearance today in regards to chains and such. Cosmetics I guess. Those low slung and narrow fenders look "cool".

Ah well, there is always a way to overcome the problem. I'm going to go with either spacers or custom rims, AND, I think I'm going to buy new chains. These were custom made for these wheels, but they are pretty heavy chain. I may go to something lighter to cut down on the profile so there is more clearance.

Always a way.

But I love "John", and I'm sure Kobota owners feel the same about their pride and joy. I'll figure out a way to do this.

Whether you like green, orange, or red, we're all in the same boat.

I would do as you are doing. I would do what ever it takes and costs to get them there chains on. Come this winter the time and cost will fade away quickly. It's not like that I haven't been in a similar situation. "Experience is what you get when you don't get what you wanted." If we weren't doing anything we wouldn't get in trouble. I don't think that's an option for us.

 

[RoyJackson]

I put my new ballast box on yesterday and filled it with gravel. I did some dirt moving with the loader with the ballast box on . I really like the ballast box.

They do make a world of difference when you're using your loader, don't they?

 

[whistlepig]

They do make a world of difference when you're using your loader, don't they?

I bought the ballast box last week just for snow this winter. If I had known how much better it made the tractor for all round loader work I would have bought it years ago. It's one of those things you don't know how bad you needed it until you get one. I wouldn't think of using the loader now with out the ballast box. I can tell it's a lot less wear and tear on the tractor while using the loader.

 

[ragkar]

A loaded ballast box does improve FEL operations, but pushing snow is a little different.
The ballast box, by putting weight on the rear wheels, improves rear wheel traction. But it decreases front wheel traction by lifting the front end. This causes a decrease in directional control. The trick is to have enough ballast to improve traction and not so much that driving control suffers.

 

[RoyJackson]

A loaded ballast box does improve FEL operations, but pushing snow is a little different...

I use the same ballast (sand...filled the box about 3/4's) all year..haven't seen any difference with snow. However, I'm probably not using as much weight (for ballast) as I should be. The box was filled when I had my 790...the 4400 (430 loader) has about twice the lifting capacity.
So...I've probably got the ballast I need for snow removal, but could go a couple hundred more pounds for other FEL work.

 

[ChuckinNH]

There is a possibility that the mouting hubs on your 2320 are the same as those on a 2305. If that is the case, JD makes a set of spacers for the X700 series that will work. I would check with your dealer about that since he seems pretty helpful.