Tire chains that don't work!

[PBinWA]

Gizmo - I had the same problem as you with the same chain and tire combo.

I just ordered some duogrip cross chain sections from Tire Chains.com:

Tire Chains Cross Chains

My chains will end up looking like the chains that davitk posted.

The new cross chains will be cheaper than buying a whole new set of chains.

 

[AndyMA]

I never could understand why anyone would buy a tractor for use on a farm that has industrial tires on it.

I agree with that. People buy industrial tires mostly for appearance, not for performance. I tried to buy a set once and my dealer aggressively talked me out of it. I have never had to run chains on R1's on my farm.

Andy

 

[joe48]

Gizmo - I had the same problem as you with the same chain and tire combo.

I just ordered some duogrip cross chain sections from Tire Chains.com:

Tire Chains Cross Chains

My chains will end up looking like the chains that davitk posted.

The new cross chains will be cheaper than buying a whole new set of chains.

Even quicker than davitks post, if you can't weld the links together in the center then ,go to TSC or Harbor Frt, or any good hardware and get a bunch of "hammer shut" repair links. They look a lot like a keyring thats been spread open,they were originally designed to repair crosschains that broke and needed a quick fix. We used to build our own chains, by putting together old busted ones with repair links. You slip them into two cross links in the center like davtiks pics and hammer them shut.(got to be on a hard surface). They will last forever on a tractor.

 

[LBrown59]

I never could understand why anyone would buy a tractor for use on a farm that has industrial tires on it.

AGS for ag work.

 

[pat32rf]

I guess it depends on what kind of a farm it is. My Kubota had ags but when I moved to a bigger JD the dealer had trouble getting me a machine with ag tires so we finally split the price difference and I got R4s. Our "farming" involves mostly raising rocks and hardwood trees for firewood, with some snow clearing and backhoe work as well. I now have about 3000hrs on the R4s and wouldn't have anything else. There is no comparison when it comes to floatation in gravel or muck.(not to mention the lawn) I needed chains on the ags anyway so they go on the R4s as well, just had to make them bigger. I just wish that they came with addjustable width rims....

 

[Gizmo2]

Gizmo - I had the same problem as you with the same chain and tire combo.

I just ordered some duogrip cross chain sections from Tire Chains.com:

Tire Chains Cross Chains

My chains will end up looking like the chains that davitk posted.

The new cross chains will be cheaper than buying a whole new set of chains.

I had a long chat with the boys at TireChain.com and they do not recommend the Duogrip chains for my use. Since my venture with the horse manure the chains and tires have cleared packed in manure and the chains are back to riding more on top. TireChain.com boys said I will be fine come winter and pushing snow. I guess the problem comes with not enough tire on the ground when on hard surfaces. (too much chain).

 

[midstatetiresystemstx]

Converting to R-1 Tires would eliminate the need for chains versus the Industrial R-4 Tread u are having traction problems with.

 

[djradz]

Truth be known I do own a small farm/horse ranch or whatever you would call it and I am very pleased with the R4 tires. I could not see limiting the tractor's duties by having R1 tires. I would ask why on earth would anyone get R1 tires on a tractor the size of a JD 2320? I would also state that JD does not offer R1 tires on said tractor. All and all I guess you need to own a small farm to understand the duties and the need to rely on a tractor that is used for a multitude of tasks. If I had R1 tires on during this last venture I probably would have buried this little tractor.

No offense, but farmers have been using R1s on farms for 70+ years, long before R4s ever were available. The only limiting of the duties is that they tend to tear up the lawns more and have a slightly less load-bearing capability, which at worst, slightly reduces FEL capability.

The picture of the R4s all slicked/loaded up is exactly why they are much more "limiting" IMHO in both dirt and snow.

 

[rScotty]

I guess the problem comes with not enough tire on the ground when on hard surfaces. (too much chain).

It looks like the tire guys made yours just right to be wrong for your tires. BTW, I disagree with the tire guys. I think you will have the same problem with snow, and I have some experience as we've got 4 tractors on the place - all with chains. I don't care for lugs myself unless I'm farming. Industrials or turfs with good chains give you the option of traction when you need it and floatation when you don't want to tear up things or compact the soil.

Your chains are not a big problem. Either add more cross chains or connect the ones you have into an X pattern. Either one is easily done; you've already done the hard part. Or you could just use them as is and hope the rubber part wears down faster than the chain part.
rScotty

 

[JoeL4330]

if you're thinking of adding more cross links, as suggested, V-bars would be my choice ...but that's gonna make the chains mighty heavy.

Still, if you choose to do so, you should investigate: Large Repair Pliar

Also, if you use 4wd, note that you don't have chains on the front, which I find quite useful for enhancing engine braking as well as go-power...and, steering. I you decide you might want front chains, get V-bar and see if that doesn't fix your current problem...otherwise, with your tires in the manure, 4wd wouldn't seem of much use.