Chains tire chains

[jdboy4410]

i am getting ready to buy tire chains for my 4410 and had a couple of questions before i buy them.trying to decide whether to go with 2 link or the 4 link type,and was going to put them on the front too.my property is all hill,and i have had some scary experiences with sliding in the snow.the only time i will be using the chains is when there is snow,otherwise,i have no issues with traction for the most part.my machine is always in 4WD even when i am mowing with it,that's a must.i was just going to put chains on the rear,my concern is if the rear gets traction,and the front don't,may cause damage from speed variation between the front and rear.i'm pretty much sold on putting them on the front just to keep the front end from sliding.if you have ever slid sideways and come up on two wheels,you know what i am talking about.not a good feeling.just want to get some other opinions from you guys,what do you think ?

 

[SteveBC16]

Using chains on the front of a 4WD tractor is a bad idea. Front wheel drive systems are designed to slip when the tractor loses traction. Slipping on a dry surface with FWD engaged can damage the front wheel drive assembly. It is for that reason JD cautions the operator not to run the tractor on a dry pavement with FWD engaged. Installing chains on the FWD will give you traction but no slippage and is a sure way to damage your tractor. My JD 2305 operators manual specifically warns the operator NOT to use chains on the front tires.

 

[jdboy4410]

just read through my operator's manual,it does say not to install chains on the front tires,the way it is written is as follows : Do not install tire chains on machine front wheels,Chains will strike and damage machine.i would have to agree that they would hit if you turned too sharp,and i agree,you would'nt want them on a dry surface,however,with being on packed snow,and given i am most always on some type of an incline when i am working with snow,and the only time the chains would be on it was when there is snow.still up in the air about it.the front end is always sliding.more so than the rear.maybe i will just put them on the rear for now and see how it goes.i have talked to 3 different guys,and they said to definitely put them on the front.

 

[Gizmo2]

i have talked to 3 different guys,and they said to definitely put them on the front.

It is not their tractor!!!

 

[RoyJackson]

I read my manual too and it says exactly the same thing as jdboy's manual...but nothing about front axle damage, which is what we were worried about. So far, all I've found while searching TBN about chains on the front tires and axle damage has been anecdotal (no personal experience cited).
There was a spurt of 790 front axle bevel gear breakages a few years back, but they were from towing heavy loads in reverse, not chains.
In my case, the drive is level and I'm mostly concerned about backing out of when I get stuck, so I reckon I'll just go with the rear chains (and using the loader to push out).
In jdboy's case, the determination between possible front axle damage and losing control of the tractor makes the decision pretty easy, I think. However, he (and I) could call the dealer and find out what their experience has been with chains on the front axles (and failures).

 

[thatguy]

I know there is about 1/2" clearance between the tires and steering components on my 2320 - which is not nearly enough the chains would have to have no slack at all..

Brian

 

[Gizmo2]

I ran chains on the front of my 1988 JD650 on rare occasions, I had to it was not an option. I never had problem although I was very careful and I never pushed the tractor. There is absolutely no room on my JD2320 for front chains, luckily I have not found the need for front chains on the 2320 as of yet.

 

[jdboy4410]

i talked to the dealer today,and they do not recommend putting chains on the front,he did say to let a little air out of the front tires to give them a little more surface on the ground.i am gonna try with just the rear chains,they will make it better for sure,if the front end still wants to slide around,i will put chains up front too.i only want the chains on when there is snow on the ground,it won't keep the front axle from slipping alltogether,so,should be no problem as long as i am carefull with it.i posted a couple of pics in my albumn of my baby if you's wanna have a look ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[RoyJackson]

i talked to the dealer today,and they do not recommend putting chains on the front,he did say to let a little air out of the front tires to give them a little more surface on the ground.i am gonna try with just the rear chains,they will make it better for sure,if the front end still wants to slide around,i will put chains up front too.i only want the chains on when there is snow on the ground,it won't keep the front axle from slipping alltogether,so,should be no problem as long as i am carefull with it.i posted a couple of pics in my albumn of my baby if you's wanna have a look ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Yeah, a little less air pressure works well...just remember to pump 'em back up before any heavy loader work (other then snow moving). Trust me, low tire pressure in the fronts when doing heavy loader work will run 'em off the rims. Makes steering tough too.
Where'd you buy your 4410, jdboy? My 790 came from a dealer in southern Virginia. My first machine, the infamous Deere 670, was bought at Southern York Turf and Tractor in Shrewsbury.

BTW, remember that 4410 (with backhoe) on White Oak Road I wrote about in your other thread? I passed by that place about an hour ago. His drive is about ¼ mile and he's stuck about halfway. At this point, I don't think lowering the pressure would help much. Maybe a bull dozer would...or the spring thaw.

 

[atgreene]

FWIW, I have run chains on the front of both of my Kubotas.

My 345 dt snapped the front drive link while bucketing snow. I did not have enough weight on the rear and was digging with the front bucket. Learned my lesson. Could have just as easily done it w/o the chains, as I later learned. Kubota dealer told me chains on the front is a no-no. I walked over to the fancy color booklet they hand out with all the fancy new tractors in it. Right there in it was pics of Kubota tractors with chains on the front in the snow. They hemmed and hawed then said I should be carrying more weight on the rear.

As faor difference in diameter, it won't mater. I have new tires on the front of mine with 50% rears and the fronts turn at slightly different speed. I don't use 4 wd unless I need it, but it's a tractor, not a toy. It is made to work not look at.

Anyway, my 4150 has had chains on the front and rear for 6 years + now. I work it hard logging, loading, run chains in the summer bushhoggin' and have yet to have an issue. In my situation I have decided I would rather break something than roll the thing over on steep ground. I try not to dig with the bucket if I have front chains on unless I have a heavy implement on the rear. There are a lot of other folks around here with chains on all 4 corners.

Front chains are there to keep you out of trouble, not to dig harder.

I just bought these 2 weeks ago. I'm buying a second set for the front. Here's a link of some pics where I've been working. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/photos/163398-my-little-logging-operation.html