Tire Chains

[studor]

When you find yourself going sideways down an icy slope with a ditch that will turn you over if you hit it, the academic nature this discussion as to whether or not to use chains on all four tires may seem to become suddenly less academic and more real! I have chains for all four tires and use them at certain times of the year -- especially spring and if we have freezing rain
I believe you are far more likely to break front end parts by suddenly gaining traction than by maintaining it at some level consistently. Most times I only use four wheel drive to get me out of trouble rather than leaving it in all the time to get me really deeply in trouble -- JMHO

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I'm with the folks that say only on the back, you wouldn't run 4wd on pavement so why stress the front with chains. I've been plowing snow with rear tire chains on many different types of tractors{even a 2wd drive truck} for over 30yrs and never had a problem/situation where I needed chains on the front. Try it with just the rears 1st you may be surprised?

What makes sense to me is that if you can do just fine with chains only on the rears, you're probably in a high enough traction situation where front chains wouldn't be good. If you're still slipping around without front chains, you're in a low enough traction situation where front chains will help, but the wear will be acceptable.

I try to keep in mind that if the ultimate goal is to reduce wear, I just wouldn't use my tractor. Once I realize that, everything becomes a trade off between potential wear and utility.

 

[pat32rf]

I always remember watching a fellow 4x4 driver slide into the ditch. When I stopped to help I noticed that his front wheels weren't spinning. When I asked if he had drivetrain problems he said no, he just never uses 4wd "to save wear and get better mileage..."

 

[bpattie]

I always remember watching a fellow 4x4 driver slide into the ditch. When I stopped to help I noticed that his front wheels weren't spinning. When I asked if he had drivetrain problems he said no, he just never uses 4wd "to save wear and get better mileage..."

stupidity is an entirely different animal. I think all that most are saying is that if you need them, especially for safety then use them. if you can get by without them your machine may be better off without using them.

 

[lungdoc]

I will also point out that it is absolutely terrain dependant. Our cottage is about 1/2 mile from my in-laws where we keep the tractor. My father in law has plowed his flat lot for years with a large backhoe with R4's but won't even take it on the hill to our place. Our Deere 4320 with R4's pre-chains was frankly scary at times, with chains it was a completely different situation.
This isn't the steepest hill but gives some idea

 

[bpattie]

I will also point out that it is absolutely terrain dependant. Our cottage is about 1/2 mile from my in-laws where we keep the tractor. My father in law has plowed his flat lot for years with a large backhoe with R4's but won't even take it on the hill to our place. Our Deere 4320 with R4's pre-chains was frankly scary at times, with chains it was a completely different situation.
This isn't the steepest hill but gives some idea

exactly the point I was trying to make LungDoc. if you need them use them. if you don't then best to not use them on the front.

 

[20 20]

stupidity is an entirely different animal. I think all that most are saying is that if you need them, especially for safety then use them. if you can get by without them your machine may be better off without using them.

Thank you, it's fun pointing out the obvious.

 

[20 20]

I always remember watching a fellow 4x4 driver slide into the ditch. When I stopped to help I noticed that his front wheels weren't spinning. When I asked if he had drivetrain problems he said no, he just never uses 4wd "to save wear and get better mileage..."

Did you ask then, why he owned a 4WD?