Tire chain questions

[IMCA38]

After spending three hours trying to move snow and spending a good share of it spinning my wheels, I'm thinking that maybe some chains would help. My BIL has chains on his farm tractor and says they make a world of difference.
I set out to start researching chains and got on tirechain.com. Oh my, I didn't realize they had "designer" chains for tractors?
Anyway, I see 2 link ladder, 4 link ladder, both with and without v-bars, duo grips, duo grips with v-bars and duo ladders.
My tractor is a Massey 1225 with loader and 3 pt blade. Tires are R-4's on the back and trencher v-bars on the front. (pic attached)
Do I need both front and rear chains, or will rear only suffice?
What design works best of moving snow on a rock driveway?
Thanks
Todd

 

[MikeInEburg]

If driveway is your only chain "need", I'd get two-link ladder type. Duo grip are more aggressive, but result in a rougher ride.
Mike

 

[Ezlivn]

If you do a search on this forum you'll find many discussions on tire chains. The site you found is probably the best place to buy chains.
As for styles, many will have different opinions. Myself, I had the same problem as you. I have a JD790 with an inclined driveway. I ordered a set of 2 link v-bar for my front tires only for now. They cost me $113 delivered. I'll get a set for the rear over the course of the summer. They aren't cheap...$380 for rears.
Hope this helps.

 

[20 20]

Even a cheap set of chains will make a difference{check graigs list}. Used chains can be altered to fit if you have some mechanal skills. There are lots of opinions on which tires to put chains on. I perfer to only use rear chains, IMO fronts apply to much stress.

 

[MiserableOldFart]

I just got a pair of 2 link v-bar chains for the front tires only on my NH TC 26 DA. I don't use the tractor a lot in the winter, and after consulting with my mechanic friend, decided that fronts were the way to go. If I were doing a lot of heavy work (log dragging, using a box blade in wet ground, etc.) I'd probably get rears or both. Some say that front chains are not good for the front drive.. again if the use is heavy or constant, I'd probably take that more seriously.

The chains appear to do the job, though I won't know for sure until we get a snow storm and I have more than the current snow base to use in my evaluation.

If you are putting chains on the rears, I would definitely get one of the X types. Even with the front tires off the ground, putting ladder type chains on the R4's was MUCH more difficult than putting chains on car or truck tires. The treads grab those crosslinks and don't want to let go. I think the X type would be a bit easier to slide over the tire and to tension properly, and additionally would provide better traction by keeping the crosslinks out of the tread channels.

Some people on these boards have complained about the spreaders from tirechains.com. I got a pair with mine, and to be honest, if the chains are put on perfectly, these really shouldn't be necessary at the speeds and amounts of time I'll be using them. I don't expect the chains to wear in anywhere near as much as they do at car speeds and distances. And, of course, they will never be used on pavement. Anyway, the spreaders could be a little heavier duty, but they seem to be fine for the safety role they play on my chains. I doubt that you could get the ladder type chain that tight on rears though, not without heavy doses of time, effort and appropriate foul language.

Lastly, take a good look at your tires and the clearances around them. On my tractor, the rear tires appear to be quite close to a lot of things, and the fronts seemed to have a little more clearance all the way around. After looking at the them on the front, I believe I could put chains on the rear without trouble, but it would be awfully close, particularly to the stabilizers (if that's what they're called) for the lower arms of the 3 pt hitch.

 

[DHD]

I talked to a Kubota dealer here in Maine that just started selling scew in studs for added traction.
He said it was more for keeping the front tires from slidding around, not a replacement for traction what chains provide.
He didn't have any feedback on how well it worked yet.

 

[beenthere]

Get all the "designer" that you want, but simple ladder chains will do everything that you need to do. If going "cross-country" in deep snow, then add chains on the front wheels too. Otherwise, no need to go more than simple, single ladder cross chains. Has worked for me for 40+ years. Don't fall for the fancy bungie or spring straps they sell. Get the chains that fit (an apparent problem with tirechain.com as they seem to sell one size fits all, take up the slop with springs and such hanging on the outside). There are inumerable photos here of tractor tire chains that don't fit the tires.

Side clearance might be important.