Tire Chain Pliers

[zionview]

I have a set that was purchased by my grandfather, and given to me by my Dad. They were originally purchased for 20" truck tire chains, but were used on farm tractors, pickups, lawn tractors-you name it. We've widened, lenghtened and repaired chains from 12" to 38". Every time the milk tanker got stuck, we had chains to repair the next morning. Wouldn't want to be without them.

 

[jmanatee2]

Has anyone bought the large 33.5" tire chain pliers from Tirechains.com? Do they really work on 3/8" tire chains?

I got my chains in, and the small pliers I got won't budge the big 3/8" chain for the rear tires. Unfortunately, my rear tires must be way at the bottom of the size range for the chains they sent me, and I have to remove a cross chain.

Spent a couple hours with a sledge hammer and some steel breakers just trying to get one side of a cross chain off. Don't really feel like go through all that 3 more times if those heavy duty pliers will do the trick in 5 minutes. I may hit up the hardware store looking for a cold chisel tomorrow, but wanted to see what folks think about the chain specific pliers.

My neighbor bought a set from tirechains.com.... They work both for spreading and re-clamping then cross link hooks. classic made in China tool

They work FAR better then chisel and vise.

I will say that I borrowed another set from someone else, Very old American made that worked better. The old ones would clamp both legs of the hook at the same time. The tirechains.com ones you would have to turn the pliers around to get both sides all the way down.

I think it is because the spacing when the jaws would close was a little tight and the inside part would run out of room before the outer hook was all the way down. It was not a big deal and we got very fast with them.

 

[Sumpter]

I know I am late to the conversation, but I bought those pliers and they work excellent on 3/8. I modified my front chains with those and didn't even skin a knuckle. I recommend them.

 

[L3700SU]

Ok, you've convinced me. I'll have to order a set. I had good idea what kind of job it was going to be with a hammer, chisel, prybar and a vise and as many crossovers as I plan on moving, the pliers are the way to go.
The good thing is, I'll probably have untill next winter now to get it done. You know, winter's over, the groundhog didn't see his shadow. Spring is just around the corner;-D

 

[JoeL4330]

Too late to second the motion, but I have a pair and they can't be beat ...seem to recall that I got them from Bailey's

 

[L3700SU]

I went through my tool box and found a pair of ceramic tile trimming pliers ($8-$10) Haven't used them in 15 years
and an 8" straight screw driver.
The trimming pliers fit the rung end perfectly and with the screw driver placed underneath, I'd pry a little, reposition, pry a little until I got it open enough to remove.
Oh yea, I put an old blanket on the floor and laid the chain on that to work.
Believe me, it saved my knuckles numerous times.
From start to finish it took an hour and 15 minutes to take off 14 crossover chains.
The lengthening process should be easy.
The tire chain pliers would have been easier but hey, I did it. Thanks guys.

 

[Jeff Lary]

Plowed snow for the state of Maine 14 years ,trust me when you need em NOTHING else works better.

 

[jmanatee2]

when you need em NOTHING else works better.

AMEN!

 

[JB4310]

I would like to get a pair of those chain pliars as well.

A couple of years ago I found a place selling surplus chain, it was an old auto parts warehouse. I could of bought the whole lot (3 pallets) for little money. but I didn't want it at the time, so I just bought a few sets cheap, had to mod all of them so we made a crude tool of our own.

I'm still kicking myself for not taking the whole lot

JB.

 

[richard libbey]

If you are going to build several sets of chains, go ahead and buy them but the Chain pliers are very expensive..... close to $100 I intend to buy a pair since I have 3 sets of single railers, 22.5 from my Peterbilt that I'm going to make some heavy duty GT chain sets.