Snow Chain Recommendation

[yooperdave]

I now have a CUT with industrial tires which I am aware provide lousy traction in the snow.

I plan on installing chains to the front wheels only so I can confidently plow my sloped driveway.

What do you recommend as an economical solution?

TIA

Yooper Dave

 

[tslbogger]

Trigg chains

They transform my tractor in a real snow pushing machine, even on ice.

Ride is smooth.

 

[LouNY]

Trygg, OFA's, Aquiline Talons are all excellent chains.
Smooth riding with excellent traction.

 

[Amvcane]

Economical solution. 2 link ladder, 3/8" twisted cross links. Paid $260/pair July 2021. Had to buy a much larger set and remove 3 links from the cross links to fit.
All the 2 link ladder for my tire size were for garden tractors. Very light weight.
If I had to do it again, (economical), I would go with 5/16" cross links.
Ride is a bit rough. I'm plowing gravel surfaces and blowing trails in woods. No road travel. Will stall the tractor before the tires spin.
Andrew.

 

[nyone]

Aquiline MPC Tractor Tire Chains | Tire Chains 'R' Us

Shop Aquiline MPC Tractor Tire Chains. Free shipping on orders over $75. Note: These chains are for Tractors only. They will not fit a Skid Steer. Image is for reference only, tire/wheel/rubber tensioners not included. Chains only. Chains are sold in pairs (2 chains) and will cover two tires..

www.tirechainsrus.com

I have the MPC version. They where about 25% more than cheap ladder chains yet not as much as the tallons

 

[clarky711]

What surface is your driveway? That will help guide the best answer.

 

[Thomas]

Ice cleats that don't slip between tractor lugs.

 

[mwb]

I bought used (but brand new) tractor-trailer chains (kijiji / craiglist) for cheap and fit them to my fronts. Absolutely awesome and inexpensive. I also made a pair for my F250. Having chains on the front of a diesel truck is pretty impressive.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I've used chains on just the front tires of several Kubota tractors with great success. For the steep slopes I plow, I've found from experience that cleated ladder chains work best on my R4 tires. Unfortunately, they aren't cheap and can cause damage to hard surfaces like concrete floors and paved driveways. I use planks on the barn floor to prevent chipping the surface.

You may be able to save a few $$ by looking for a used set. They might be tough to find this time of year though.

With chains on the front only, it helps to have weight on the front end of the tractor. I use a FEL plow which I can partially raise to get the traction I need.

 

[LouNY]

I've used chains on just the front tires of several Kubota tractors with great success. For the steep slopes I plow, I've found from experience that cleated ladder chains work best on my R4 tires. Unfortunately, they aren't cheap and can cause damage to hard surfaces like concrete floors and paved driveways. I use planks on the barn floor to prevent chipping the surface.

You may be able to save a few $$ by looking for a used set. They might be tough to find this time of year though.

With chains on the front only, it helps to have weight on the front end of the tractor. I use a FEL plow which I can partially raise to get the traction I need.

Then you have never tried the Euro studded pattern style chains, calling ladder style chains to be working the best.
There is no comparison between ladder chains and studded Euro style that would find the ladder type better.

 

[TractorTYMe]

Get Trygg or Aqualine european style studded chains, there is simply no comparison in smoothness of ride and grip. The Aqualine MPC's would be a good second.

 

[LD48750]

I found that 2 link ladder chains for a garden tractor (MUCH cheaper) work just fine for me on the front.
I have a half mile private road, 1/4 mile drive & 2 neighbors drives I do with hills.
Real tractor 4 link chains on the back made the ride too ruff and were taken off that same day.
Don't seem to notice the 2 links on the front as far as ride goes.

 

[yooperdave]

Top portion is concrete slab.
Middle portion is sloped gravel.
Bottom portion is gravel but less slope.
Bottoms out on asphalt road.
I posted a picture of my front tire 28 x 8.5 - 15. Is this a difficult size to obtain chains?

What surface is your driveway? That will help guide the best answer.

 

[fishhead]

It may be - i have 27x8.5-15 and the choices aren't vast
I totally agree on the ride benefits on a euro or diamond style chain vs ladder- plus i think they last longer and are better for the surface they are running on- less likely to slip, grip,slip,grip
I found i had some choices in in diamond pattern atv chains- since front chains are cheap relatively i would try to buy some hardened alloy chains.
And at least groove the rears.
If the gravel is a significant slope i personally would chain the rears- i've taken a couple of rides i don't care to repeat

 

[mikester]

Ladder chains are cheap but the ride is brutal. I'd go with the euro chains if I was doing it again.

I decided to experiment with studding my tires this winter, so far I'm pleased with the results. I went with low profile M6x18 studs, did all four tires for under $100. One stud in each lug on the centreline of the tire is giving me a surprising amount of traction.

 

[yooperdave]

Ladder chains are cheap but the ride is brutal. I'd go with the euro chains if I was doing it again.

I decided to experiment with studding my tires this winter, so far I'm pleased with the results. I went with low profile M6x18 studs, did all four tires for under $100. One stud in each lug on the centreline of the tire is giving me a surprising amount of traction.

Is there ever a concern that a stud could come out and pose a hazzard in the drive way?

 

[yooperdave]

I FINALLY found some snow chains to fit my front tires.

Though I have a tractor, the only chains that would fit are under the Truck Category.

Truck Tire Chains V Bar 28-8.50-15 w/Cam

Reinforced V-Bar semi/commercial truck chains provide an excellent choice. The reinforced cross members provide superior traction in mud, deep snow, and ice. V-Bar reinforced semi snow chains are manufactured to current NACM specifications. Single V-bar truck tire chains are used on light trucks and trailers.

Under $130 delivered to my door.

Thanks for all the help.

Yooper Dave

 

[fishhead]

was curious as to what they are but could not get the link to work

 

[yooperdave]

was curious as to what they are but could not get the link to work

Lets try this again - Light Truck, Ladder Style, every 4th link.

Tire Chains 'R' Us: Find Everything Tire Chains

Your tire chain experts for nearly 30 years. Shop tire chains, snow chains, and alternative traction devices for every vehicle.

www.tirechainsrus.com

Cut and paste into browser if needed.

Yooper Dave

 

[John_Mc]

Ladder chains are cheap but the ride is brutal. I'd go with the euro chains if I was doing it again.

Not to mention that lateral traction with ladder chains leaves a lot to be desired.

I started with 4- link V-bar ladder chains. They got me straight up and down my driveway, even when icy, but operating on any kind of side hill was a real challenge. After a few seasons with those, I switched to V-bar Duo-Grip chains. They had good forward and lateral traction, but the ride on hard surfaces was MUCH worse than the ladder chains. If you are operating in softer conditions, or staying at slow speeds on hard surfaces they may work OK for you.

I finally bought the chains I should have used all along. There is nothing that compares to the "Euro Style" chains. Mine are OFA Eko 8 chains.