Put my Chains on Today

[Gordon Gould]

I put the chains on today. This type chain is supposed to be sloppy so it can walk around the tire. You are supposed to be able to fit your balled up fist between the side chain and the tire sidewall when they are right. But after 8 years mine were getting really to sloppy. I had to cut off 2 links of length (circumference) to get them back where they should be.

Out of curiosity I wondered how much wear that was. If each link had 10 thousands (.010) worn off at each end it would account for little more than 2 links worth of stretch around the tire circumference. Seems reasonable for 8 years I guess.

 

[Wolfy]

Looks good for 8 years old. My duo-grips have worn far more than that.

 

[IXLR8]

I put mine on today as well. Much nicer messing with them with the temps in the 50's and the sun shining rather than temps in the 20's and starting to snow like I did last year.

 

[dave1949]

I put the chains on today. This type chain is supposed to be sloppy so it can walk around the tire. You are supposed to be able to fit your balled up fist between the side chain and the tire sidewall when they are right. But after 8 years mine were getting really to sloppy. I had to cut off 2 links of length (circumference) to get them back where they should be.

Out of curiosity I wondered how much wear that was. If each link had 10 thousands (.010) worn off at each end it would account for little more than 2 links worth of stretch around the tire circumference. Seems reasonable for 8 years I guess.

My chains look about identical to yours and I had the same brand of angle grinder working on my chains the other day. Even the grinder takes a while to cut them. Mine have loosened too but for this winter at least four bungees on each wheel fixed them up.

The 2 link combined wear is interesting. My chains are six years old, my R4 tires are wearing down too. The offset "C" shaped links used to tie the chain ends together have gotten loose enough that I dropped one last winter and the winter before. I switched to those screw together cable links this year. I used one last year after dropping the C link and it held up. I found the C link after the snow melted about where I thought it must be.

 

[rekees4300]

You are supposed to be able to fit your balled up fist between the side chain and the tire sidewall when they are right.

:thumbsup: A serious set of chains! Put mine on a few days ago. Instructions say "loose fit" but tight fit works best for tractor with small clearance.

 

[Garandman]

You put them on the front also, or just the back?

 

[Gordon Gould]

You put them on the front also, or just the back?

I just have them on the back. I use the tractor mostly in the woods. With a load on the 3ph the front end tends to be light so it can be hard to turn especially when you have a 35 foot log rudder on the back trying to hold you straight. Sometimes I see those little front tires turning in the snow trying to get purchase to make a turn and they just can't. But the steering brakes work great (I use them a lot) and turns aren't a problem when using them. I get enough pulling traction with the rear chains and the diff lock (when needed). However, I believe front chains would be beneficial but my tractor dealer advised me not to use them in the woods where the ground is rough. He explained it this way. The front end drive train is relatively weak, made with small components. If you are plowing a driveway on smooth ground front chains would be OK because the chained front tires will not loose traction very often and there will be no strong jerky forces on the weak front drive train. But if on rough ground in the woods pulling a heavy load a front tire will lose traction and start to spin every time you go over a depression or bump and then the spinning chained tire will suddenly grab putting strong jerky forces on the little drive train. Do this enough times and something will break. So because of this advise I have not chained the front. Some have and w/o trouble. Some have and had big trouble. I don't want to chance it.

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

It is the time of year.... I put my chains on Tuesday and move snow...
Had to move this first snow of the season.....
Then wait until today for the township snow plow to come around before I could get out to the county road..

Take care...
===

 

[buck boost]

I just have them on the back. I use the tractor mostly in the woods. With a load on the 3ph the front end tends to be light so it can be hard to turn especially when you have a 35 foot log rudder on the back trying to hold you straight. Sometimes I see those little front tires turning in the snow trying to get purchase to make a turn and they just can't. But the steering brakes work great (I use them a lot) and turns aren't a problem when using them. I get enough pulling traction with the rear chains and the diff lock (when needed). However, I believe front chains would be beneficial but my tractor dealer advised me not to use them in the woods where the ground is rough. He explained it this way. The front end drive train is relatively weak, made with small components. If you are plowing a driveway on smooth ground front chains would be OK because the chained front tires will not loose traction very often and there will be no strong jerky forces on the weak front drive train. But if on rough ground in the woods pulling a heavy load a front tire will lose traction and start to spin every time you go over a depression or bump and then the spinning chained tire will suddenly grab putting strong jerky forces on the little drive train. Do this enough times and something will break. So because of this advise I have not chained the front. Some have and w/o trouble. Some have and had big trouble. I don't want to chance it.

That sounds like good advice.

 

[skyhook]

Very nice setup, Gordon, I see you have R1's on the back.:thumbsup:
Is that the plow you use on your tractor.