Tire Chains for R4 Tires ??????????

[mcd176]

Ok guys after spinning on ice recently I have decide to look into chains for my L4200 4x4, I remember how well tire chains worked on my 8N but it had R1's on it. I need to know what you guys recommend?

1. Do I buy chains for the rear or front? I have seen alot of machines that had them on the front only, I am assuming to save $$

2. I have R4 tires and have heard that traditional "ladder" type chains do not work well with R4's because the chains fall in between the treads, I was looking into the ones that are in the attached image.

I also found this great site, and am lucky that it is close to my home so shipping would be 1 day www.tirechain.com

Thanks as always,

Mike

 

[MikeInEburg]

You may want to search a bit as there has been a lot of discussion on chains in the past two weeks. The type that you have shown are great for dirt/gravel but offer a very rough ride on paved surfaces. If pavement is a part of your world, consider 2-link type ladder chains. I'd just put chains on rear and see how it goes.
Mike

 

[mcd176]

Mike,

Thanks for the reply, I agree that the chains would be rough on the pavement, i am just concerned that the "ladder" type chains would go in between my treads on my R4 tires, My lane is a gravel road and I only clear out my parents and grandmothers driveways that are on the pavement, I am torn as of now.

I am still leaning toward this type since they should provide excellent traction in the woods for skidding out logs.

More input from all of you is appreciated.

-Mike

 

[MikeInEburg]

The 2-link ladder type have a cross-piece every two links on the end chains - as opposed to the more standard 4-link type. These are generally a bit easier when using on pavement and won't drop between the lugs. I agree that the duo-grip/tru-grip style will provide better dirt traction. It's all about priorities and needs.
Good luck!
Mike

 

[jaybrad]

I had the same question for my little Massey 2310 with R4 tires, and after talking with the dealer went with the 2 link chains on just the rear wheels.

They strongly discouraged using chains on the front wheels - I think it had to do with both tight clearances and strain on the differential in 4wd. There are several others on TBN who said the same thing.

In my case the chains haven't fallen into the tread on the tires, and having them on the rear has, so far, given me just the right amount of added traction.

I put them on tight and had to tighten them after the first time as expected, but so far they have done exactly what I was seeking.

Now if we would just get some snow instead of this freezing rain mess, I could go out and use them!

Good luck,
Jay

 

[ChuckinNH]

I bought a set of the duo grip chains for my small Kubota. They have plenty of traction, but they really ride rough on any kind of pavement, etc. If I were doing it again, I would buy the duo grip with the extra cross links, or just two link ladder chains....... with, or without the vbars depending on your needs.

 

[DHD]

For the past 4 years I've been using the 2-Link Ladder on my B7800 when I snowblow.
My first concern was not to screw up the cement floor in my garage and 2 link Ladder
work very well for that.
While snowblowing, on very rare occasions I have had to engage the differ. lock when backing up small icy hills. My B7800 is not very heavy, I have no loader and there is no liquid in my tires, but I've never got stuck, and have always been able to snowblow my
driveway and my neighbors hilly driveway.

 

[beenthere]

Mike,

Thanks for the reply, I agree that the chains would be rough on the pavement, i am just concerned that the "ladder" type chains would go in between my treads on my R4 tires, My lane is a gravel road and I only clear out my parents and grandmothers driveways that are on the pavement, I am torn as of now.

I am still leaning toward this type since they should provide excellent traction in the woods for skidding out logs.

More input from all of you is appreciated.

-Mike

The ladder type will not hide out between the treads. Especially if you don't put them on so tight they can't walk around a bit, and don't put on tighteners. But you do what makes you feel most comfortable.
I have R-4's and use the ladder type, and most of the time, leave them off. But they for certain do not stay between the treads. Mostly just need them for the slippery slush underneath a wet snow. When all is below freezing, not much need for chains.

I use chains on all fours for deep snow and working in the woods.

 

[jdgreg]

I just put a set of 2 link ladder chains on my JD, and it has R4 tires. The ladder chans are quite large and do not hide between the treads. I have chains on all 4 now, wished I done it a long time ago.

 

[jas67]

I'm looking to buy a set of (probably 2-link ladder) chains for my B7610's rear R4's (12-16.5). Tirechains.com has an installation tool for tensioning:
Snow Chains Install Tool

Is this tool necessary, or helpful?

What about spring tensioners?

Thanks,
Jay

 

[sal64]

i bought a set of vbar makes a tremendous differance on snow or ice digs into the frozen ground. when i put tractor in barn on concret i drive on plywood so it dont reck the concrete,the 2inch link chains are the best they wount get lost in the weel lug but i was afraid they would hit fender so i went whith the vbar atached in center of weel.

 

[Plow Jockey]

mcd176,
I got the same chains for my 1715 and they work ok
They do slip down in the treads,but still provide good bite.
I have a good supply of cross chains and have thought of adding more cross links like sal64 has done.
They ride rough on frozen gravel roads too!
I ran a set of chains on the front last year, but I might try going without this year and see what happens. I added some extra weight on the front in hopes that will help.

jas67,
I've had good luck using a 18" pry bar and a set on channel lock pliers
to adjust my chains. put them on,run them a while and then readjust.

 

[DHD]

I'm looking to buy a set of (probably 2-link ladder) chains for my B7610's rear R4's (12-16.5). Tirechains.com has an installation tool for tensioning:
Snow Chains Install Tool

Is this tool necessary, or helpful?

What about spring tensioners?

Thanks,
Jay

My B7800's rear are R-4 (12.4-16) with 2-Link Ladder

I think that Snow Chain Install Tool would help on chain installation.

The biggest problem I have with installing chains is getting out the slack in order to make the connection. So having something to hold both ends of the chain assy. together, while working the ladders around the tire threads, and being able to adjust the tension as you progress around the tire, should make the job alot easier, and it looks like that tool would work.
I don't have liquid in my tires so on chain installation, both tires are off the ground
(jack stands) all the air is let out of both rear tires, install the chains, then air the tires back up(about 16 psi rather than 20 psi). Chains are nice and tight and they don't move
so I don't use spring tensioners.

Thanks you Jay for pointing out that Snow Chain Install Tool.

Bill

 

[Bedlam]

I don't think the tool is a necessity myself.I will get them as tight as possible and put on some tensions,(bungy cords) then let then find their spot, And might have to shorten them up a link or two.I use a floor jack to jack up one side at a time works real slick. Good luck, and I had great results with that chain site...

 

[jaybrad]

I'm looking to buy a set of (probably 2-link ladder) chains for my B7610's rear R4's (12-16.5). Tirechains.com has an installation tool for tensioning:
Snow Chains Install Tool

Is this tool necessary, or helpful?

What about spring tensioners?

Thanks,
Jay

(great name)

The only tool I needed to install my chains was to cut off the extra links. Maybe on a big rig a chain tension tool is necessary, but I just spread out the chain on the garage floor, drove the tractor over them, wrapped them around the wheel, hooked the inside, and used the lever link on the outside.

I got it as tight as I could and had to remove a few links along the way, then ran in for an hour or so and re-tightened (and removed a couple more links.

Now it's sitting on there just fine without any springs, bungy cord, or tensioner needed. It may be different for bigger machines and for on road use, but for clearing my yard, this has worked out very well so far.

Good luck,
Jay

 

[JB4310]

I'm looking to buy a set of (probably 2-link ladder) chains for my B7610's rear R4's (12-16.5). Tirechains.com has an installation tool for tensioning:
Snow Chains Install Tool

Is this tool necessary, or helpful?

What about spring tensioners?

Thanks,
Jay

Install tool not necessary, if you want to buy a useful tool get this one, then you can repair, mod or make your own chains.

Large Repair Pliar

By spring tensioners do you mean to take up the slack in the side chains. If so then IMO yes you do need them, you can use springs or bungees etc. Recently I've heard some say they don't use tensioners and prefer a little slop in their chains, not me, I make mine as tight as possible so you can't even hear them, and on some CUTs there is not much clearance for loose chains.

JB.

 

[beenthere]

i bought a set of vbar makes a tremendous differance on snow or ice digs into the frozen ground. when i put tractor in barn on concret i drive on plywood so it dont reck the concrete,the 2inch link chains are the best they wount get lost in the weel lug but i was afraid they would hit fender so i went whith the vbar atached in center of weel.View attachment 150355

View attachment 150356

View attachment 150357

These pics show a good example of chains that don't fit the tires (one clue is all the chain tighteners pulling the slack out).

Cutting the side chains to the right length, first to fit the inside of the tire, and then the outside (with a couple extra links for tightening/adjustment) would be the first order of business. Think of it as putting clothes on that are too large. They don't look good and don't perform the job well.

Fitted chains do not need tighteners (which get torn off from ice and sticks and rocks) that just cause frustrations. Those frustrations we don't need, and can save a lot of money.

My opinion.

 

[jaybrad]

Well, if we are sharing family pictures. here are a couple of mine.

Looking at them I realized that I could tinker with them a bit more to get them straight(er) and tight(er) - and may do that if/when it warms up a bit.

The weekend forecast is calling for 1-2' of snow, starting on Friday. Sounds like fun!

Jay

 

[NSBound]

....
The weekend forecast is calling for 1-2' of snow, starting on Friday. Sounds like fun! Jay

Enjoy the snow, sounds like you are still going get what WAS coming here too. They have downgraded our forecast from 30 cm to 5-10 cm.

 

[beenthere]

jaybrad
Enjoy the snow.
And yes, I think you need to straighten those cross chains out.

Nice to see a pic of chains that fit