Snow chains for plowing with a rear blade

[Runner]

I envy you guys that can get such a tight fit with your chains. As tight as I can get them, I still have to use bungee cords to make sure there is no slack.

 

[LouNY]

I envy you guys that can get such a tight fit with your chains. As tight as I can get them, I still have to use bungee cords to make sure there is no slack.
View attachment 1708860

Mine are not real tight, the Euro patterned chains tend to stay on better with less walking off then 2 link or 4 link conventional chains. It is critical that both side chains are hooked in the same links so the chains fit square.

 

[BackRoad]

All this talk of snow chains...I've had them for 3 or 4 years. I'm in Northern PA, and last year I didn't put them on.

We had one 6" snow event which I plowed naked...the very few others were 1-2" and they melted the next day.

Looking for a repeat!

 

[RjCorazza]

I wish I could just run chains and be done with it! My customer base will not tolerate marking up pavement with chains, so I make do with weight and grooved tires. I also carry a small bucket of cinder type material if I get into trouble.
I do have a set of "H" style chains (not sure what they're called), but I have yet to use them in many years.

 

[leonz]

I envy you guys that can get such a tight fit with your chains. As tight as I can get them, I still have to use bungee cords to make sure there is no slack.
View attachment 1708860

First question for you, is the inner chain as tight as it can be locked to the last useable link?

If not, you can release some air straighten the ladder chains and then reattach the locking link and tighten the outer locking
link to the same tension and then reinflate the tire and you should no longer need the bungee snakes.

 

[JJT]

I have to run my chains tight on the tractor, otherwise they slap the heck out of the fenders.... I use bungee cords. The UTV has lots more clearance but I still run them tight with rubber tensioners.

 

[Runner]

First question for you, is the inner chain as tight as it can be locked to the last useable link?

If not, you can release some air straighten the ladder chains and then reattach the locking link and tighten the outer locking
link to the same tension and then reinflate the tire and you should no longer need the bungee snakes.

Those are excellent suggestions, thanks. Pretty much have them on the last links available outside (first pic) and inside (second pic). Have also tried increasing tire pressure after mounting and it does help somewhat.

Although these chains were recommended for my tire size, I had to adjust by removing one cross link and shortening the sides a little, but this was as small as I could go.

They aren't crazy loose without the bungees, but I am pretty paranoid about having them hit the three-point arms or fenders.

 

[LouNY]

I have to run my chains tight on the tractor, otherwise they slap the heck out of the fenders.... I use bungee cords. The UTV has lots more clearance but I still run them tight with rubber tensioners.

The older style conventional chains have more of an issue with that then the patterned Euro one's do.

To the best of my knowledge no chain manufacture recommends reducing tire pressure to install tire chains and most have cautions against inflating tires to tighten the chains.

 

[fc1]

FWIW I got a full set of OFA EKO chains from Windy Ridge and found them (Windy Ridge) very easy to work with. These Scandinavian chains were not noticably more expensive than the China-made ones.
No review yet; haven't really needed them so far.

 

[oosik]

With the Ford 1700 I never needed chains until half way thru the snow season. So....there I was; out in the freezing cold and snow trying to put on those UBER heavy tractor chains.

I'm just so glad to not need chains with the Kubota M6040.

But it's beyond that. I haven't had to plow the driveway, mailbox area or yard for the last five years. We get a little snow and then it melts in the next day or so. Nothing like the good old day - 30 years ago.