Chains Tire chains for ice??

[gbick]

Hi Guys, Need a little help here. The first significant snow of the season and I did it again! Pushed the snow too far over the bank, and couldn't back out. The heavy, wet snow immediatly turned to ice under the tires and bucket pushing with diff lock were not effective, as I had ZERO traction. So, once again, dig out the Come-Along and 50' of straps,etc.. When pushing with the bucket, the front tires are up and the rears are planted, but they just zing on the ice. I think rear chains would make life so much easier. I put rear chains on my old tractor, a 1952 Farmall Super C, (great old brute) but the cross links just dropped between the lugs and were ineffective. I'm looking for chains with the cross links connected on the tread to keep the chain between the tire and the ice. The problem is that I can't seem to find them to fit the 15x19.5 R-4 tires on my JD4310. Any leads would be appreciated. Thanks, Greg.

 

[RickB]

With R-4 tires, you shouldn't have the same problem of crosslinks dropping between the lugs. Tirechains.com doesn't list double ring or Duogrip for your size, but does offer several styles of ladder chains.

15-19.5 Tractor Tire Chains

 

[Egon]

Skidder Chains, traction tire chains, loader, skidder

Some pictures of Skidder Chains. Some styles can be very aggressive.

 

[JB4310]

You wont get stuck with these, just posted these pics in another chain thread. I have a 4310 with the same tires (I assume) and yeah some of the chain falls in the lugs but even with 4 link spacing the tractor becomes a bulldozer with no tire slipping/traction problems what so ever.
Go with the 2 link spacing, even better.

You do have to flip the rims for clearance inside the fenders though.

.

 

[johnzski]

I have the exact chain set-up as jb4310 with a logging winch on in the winter. It has no problem in the woods at all. got them at the JD dealer I think about $200 for the rear set

 

[Deadman]

these work GREAT for me on ice!!!!!

 

[Nuru]

these work GREAT for me on ice!!!!!

Oh Yeah, no kidding - I would imagine they will be a bit tough on asphalt and concrete though?

 

[jcmseven]

Deadman,

Usually I plow with my UTV, but as luck would have it we got 16" of snow last night and my new blade is here but the winch is not here. So, the slow bucket and box blade combo went to work. I have a lot to plow, about 350' of steep gravel drive and about 3/4 mile of service road to the main road (myself and one other house on this road). The little 2320 did a great job when plowing, but with R4 tires, I really have a tough go sometimes getting to the top of the driveway. Once there, things go OK. This occurs with 4" or 20". Have you had good luck with your 2520 chains there??? Do you chain just the back or both front and back??? How much difference have you seen by using the chains??? Where did you purchase them, and are they hard to fit-up??? Interestingly, I bought a set of chains for my new Ranger for plowing, and they are the V-bar type. Seem pretty aggressive but they really get good traction in that application.

John M

 

[Nuru]

Well after running into a lot of slippage tonight, I think I am gonna get a set of chains for my Turf specials. I almost got stuck 5 times and lost traction at the bottom of my driveway as the grading where it intersects with the road is an issue when plowing. The heavy snow about 2 feet deep, showed me the light. I will be looking for some chains tomorrow. Anyone got any suggestions for an asphalt drive and road - i.e. to help avoid chewing it up!

 

[PILOON]

Build up a compacted snow base and chains wont harm your pavement, and besides the chains will have a better grip on the snow base.

 

[Egon]

Nuru, you might consider ordinary two link ladder chains. They should solve your problem.

 

[Duffster]

these work GREAT for me on ice!!!!!

Doesn't look like they have been used yet.

 

[Wayne_H]

these work GREAT for me on ice!!!!!

those look awesome! Where did you get them? I'll get a pair to sit in my basement another six years until we have another one of these snows in Maryland!

Wayne

 

[ChuckinNH]

Deadman,

Usually I plow with my UTV, but as luck would have it we got 16" of snow last night and my new blade is here but the winch is not here. So, the slow bucket and box blade combo went to work. I have a lot to plow, about 350' of steep gravel drive and about 3/4 mile of service road to the main road (myself and one other house on this road). The little 2320 did a great job when plowing, but with R4 tires, I really have a tough go sometimes getting to the top of the driveway. Once there, things go OK. This occurs with 4" or 20". Have you had good luck with your 2520 chains there??? Do you chain just the back or both front and back??? How much difference have you seen by using the chains??? Where did you purchase them, and are they hard to fit-up??? Interestingly, I bought a set of chains for my new Ranger for plowing, and they are the V-bar type. Seem pretty aggressive but they really get good traction in that application.

John M

I just bought, and installed a set of v-bar duo grip chains from tirechains.com on my Kubota which is very close to the same size as your JD. There is about 10" of snow still on the ground from our last storm, and so I took a ride around my field to get a feel for them. The added traction is great, but the ride is really harsh, and bouncy on any kind of pavement. The pavement on my driveway is old, and needs to be replaced, but I couldn't see marks from the v-bars. If I were doing it again, I would get the two link ladder chains with, or without the v-bars. I was worried about lateral stability, but after seeing the v-bar set up, I'm sure there would have been enough with just that. With the duo grip style, there is just too much space between the chain crosslinks, and they aren't in sync, side to side so it's a pretty wobbly ride! Out in the field, or on my woods trails they are smooth, and have great traction.

 

[RalphVa]

I got stuck the same way with turfs on my 4010. First time was when I went over a 4x4 at the end of the paved area. Lowering the FEL, blade down and using the upcurl while backing popped me right out.

I cleared the turnaround area yesterday of the 18+ inches. Will attack the driveway today.

If you really get much ice or deep snow and/or have to push snow on a grade, chains are the way to go. This is what I needed on my Gravely when I used it to clear snow.

 

[Nuru]

Nuru, you might consider ordinary two link ladder chains. They should solve your problem.

Thanks Egon, any suggestions on who to order from?

 

[Kubota 2350]

Hey johnzski,

Not trying to hijack this thread, but what are the hyd fittings on the left of your 4310?

Mine only has the two on the right.

 

[thatguy]

Im in on this as well.. I also have a 2320 and really could have used chains yesterday for our 12" of snow.. I have been looking at vulcan, tirechain.com and a few other companies but cant seem to find anything close to the 31x12-16.5 needed for my R4's.... Any suggestions on alternative sizes and/or vendors?

brian

Deadman,

Usually I plow with my UTV, but as luck would have it we got 16" of snow last night and my new blade is here but the winch is not here. So, the slow bucket and box blade combo went to work. I have a lot to plow, about 350' of steep gravel drive and about 3/4 mile of service road to the main road (myself and one other house on this road). The little 2320 did a great job when plowing, but with R4 tires, I really have a tough go sometimes getting to the top of the driveway. Once there, things go OK. This occurs with 4" or 20". Have you had good luck with your 2520 chains there??? Do you chain just the back or both front and back??? How much difference have you seen by using the chains??? Where did you purchase them, and are they hard to fit-up??? Interestingly, I bought a set of chains for my new Ranger for plowing, and they are the V-bar type. Seem pretty aggressive but they really get good traction in that application.

John M

 

[Nuru]

Yeah, I am looking for chains to fit:

Fronts: 25/10.50LLx15
Rears: 41/18LLx16.1

 

[Deadman]

My chains in that picture I posted were BRAND NEW! I took the pic right after I had them on, because I was just drooling over how awesome they were.

If your driveway is Gravel, these chains will do 3 times as much as my R4's did with no chains. In my opinion these R4 tires are at their worst in snow. The chains and some rear weight, and LOOK OUT. I never run front chains, and steer with the brakes if it wants to slide.

Mine came from tirechain.com I believe. (everyone suggested them on here). I LOVE my chains. They are fairly easy to put on, but they are HEAVY. (like 100Lbs or maybe more EACH!)