Question for you guys running tire chains on hillsides

[KentT]

I ordered two pairs of those diamond style chains. Now I'm planning on going ahead and loading all four tires at the same time, with winter mix windshield washer fluid and sealant. That should let me put the chains on while the tires are deflated, and get them good and tight. But, that also requires that I order in a 5-gallon bucket of Multi Seal and a 55 gallon drum of WW fluid. It's far cheaper by the drum than by the gallon, when you're talking about 30 gallons. I'll bet that raises eyebrows at my local NAPA... :laughing:

 

[ponytug]

The chains are easy to get tight. Put them on, drive for forty feet and retighten works for me about 95% of the time. To be honest, the other 5% may be the chain latch getting snagged while brush cutting.

I think that they are easy to use chains.

All the best,

Peter

 

[MossRoad]

When I've used chains on lawn tractors, I've always let the air out of the tires, put the chains on tight by hand, then aired the tires back up.

 

[KentT]

Well, I completed that chore, loading each tire with 7 gallons of WW fluid and 1.25 gallons of Multiseal Hydro 1500 sealant, adding about 60 lbs of weight. Chains installed while deflated, then aired up to 8 psi, and spring-type chain tensioners added. Waiting for it to dry up a bit to test it - we had rain showers last night.
NCM_0847 by Kent Thomas, on Flickr

 

[woodlandfarms]

UHM Wet ground is the test. Get on it.

 

[KentT]

I want to survive the test!

I just dragged the driveway while it was damp, and it doesn't seem to churn quite as much. I have to run out and get a couple jugs of diesel - maybe this afternoon when the weeds/grass have dried off more!

 

[KentT]

Well, the chains made a fairly significant difference. The scooting/sliding was noticeably reduced. However, having spent much of the day on these slopes, I will be swapping the wheel motors to the larger 28.3ci ones off the old PT-425. As the day wore on and the oil got hotter (temps were about 90 today), the ability to climb these slopes was a real problem. Wheel motor torque not only equates to the power to climb, but also braking as you creep down these hills.

Here's a brief slide show:

Flickr

 

[MossRoad]

What size wheel motors are on there now?

 

[KentT]

What size wheel motors are on there now?

Not sure. I'd guess about 18ci -- that's what new 1430s have, I understand. The tram pump, like the PTO pump, is higher flow on the 1430.

 

[MossRoad]

Are they gonna bolt on? I remember your wheel motor swap on the 425.