Tire Chains

[mike194]

I have been thinking about getting some tire chains for my tractor, I would fill the tires but in the summer when i mow the lawn i dont want to leave tracks.

I would like to chain all 4 tires, where is a good place to buy tire chains and also what type is preffered ?

 

[bpattie]

there are several posts out there that discuss this if you try a search. I know that there are folks out there that chain all 4, but a dealer told me not to chain the front as it would/could wear out the front end prematurely. one of the sites that sells chains is tractortirechains.com. the style or type that is available is or may be governed by your tire size.

 

[AndyMA]

Many discussions on this. DON't put chains on the front wheels of a FWD tractor. That is unless you like buying new front drive line parts.

Andy

 

[ovrszd]

www.tirechain.com

I have 75lb of fluid in each rear tire of my 2210 and mow with it. I mow some steep slopes and love the fluid for stability. I don't notice the weight being hard on my lawn but my tractor weighs around 1000lb so I can't mow when it's extremely soft anyway.

edit: forgot to mention I use V-bar 2-link style chains and only chain the rear.

 

[lungdoc]

I disagree - I think it's ok to use chains on the front (in slippery conditions); if you use FEL you'll have trouble without front grip. My argument is that there's not more relative grip on front end with chains than with regular tires on gravel and almost everyone uses MFWD in that scenario - actually I get more slip with chains on packed snow than R4's on gravel road.

 

[PBinWA]

Chain all four up if you will be on steep paved hills that are icy. Otherwise, the unchained end just slides around.

I like the V-Bars style but they do make a mess of asphalt. In fact all chains make a mess of asphalt. This year I'm studding my tires and going with out chains for as long as possible.

I buy most of my chains from tirechains.com and have always gotten good service and pricing.

 

[lungdoc]

+1 to the steep hills - but in midwinter it doesn't matter around our place if paved or gravel underneath since you're operating on a couple of inches of hardpack snow/ice anyway (whic is desirable for not plowing/blowing your gravel anyway)

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I run tire chains on all four of my tires. Chains make a HUGE difference.

If your tractor is small enough, you can get truck tire chains that fit for about half the cost of tractor tire chains.

This past weekend I just was looking through another pile of stuff from an auction and found a set of V-bar tire chains will just fit my tractor. I'm excited to see if they are that much better than the regular chains.

 

[bpattie]

i think the chains on front and 4wd on dry ground is the same principal. both "can" provide too much grip and with that grip when turning you can cause premature wear. Same thing they warn you about when using 4WD with a vehicle on dry ground. I would say that the slippage would be a good thing and if you are using chains on the front in snow or ice it will give you that slippage. if you are chaining the front and driving on dry pavement or where the tires are grabbing that can cause the wear on the front end.

 

[20 20]

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?

 

[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?