Tire Chains

DIXIEDOG · Jan 16, 2011

In the past I attempted to put tire chains on my RTV 500, at the time I gave up on it and didn't bother with the chains. After burying my buggy in 2'+ of snow twice the other day I decided to revisit the chain idea again. :laughing: Well I did manage to get a set of studded diamond chains on my RTV 500, in order to make them fit I had to loosen the inside tensioner on the chain and over tighten the outside of the chains...by doing that I was able to bias my chains to the outside of the tire and gain clearance for brakes and the parking brake cable. They work like a charm.:thumbsup: I took my buggy back in the deep snow and the studded chains made a huge difference, I did spin but the buggy was able to dig a bit and pull itself out.

cointoss · Jan 16, 2011

Dixie, I think you posted prior about possibly useing a spacer for each wheel. Can't think who might have them but I bet it would work well. My biggest concern and I imagine yours is that your chains shift and rip off your brake lines.

DIXIEDOG · Jan 16, 2011

cointoss said:
Dixie, I think you posted prior about possibly useing a spacer for each wheel. Can't think who might have them but I bet it would work well. My biggest concern and I imagine yours is that your chains shift and rip off your brake lines.

I have tightened the outer chains to the point where if they do shift it's not possible they'll hit the lines. The only possibility would be for the outside binder to completely pop off, at that point it could cause damage but it's very unlikely.

I did consider wheel spacers but I hate the idea of setting the wheel further out, it put a lot more load on it. If I end up going for chains on the front that will be my only option that's why I'm settling for rears only for now. If I do decide to go with spacers later I can get them on Ebay.

timswi · Jan 16, 2011

Glad you got the chains to work.

I only stuck my 500 once in a 3 foot storm and it was my fault. Was backing up too fast and the plow grabbed a snow bank and spun me into a snow drift and off the edge of the road..Other than that, mine did just fine with the ATV tires on it own.

DIXIEDOG · Jan 17, 2011

timswi said:
Glad you got the chains to work.

I only stuck my 500 once in a 3 foot storm and it was my fault. Was backing up too fast and the plow grabbed a snow bank and spun me into a snow drift and off the edge of the road..Other than that, mine did just fine with the ATV tires on it own.

Mine worked well the first couple storms but after burying it twice the other night it was obvious I wouldn't be able to make it through the whole winter without chains. It's a pain getting one unstuck afterwards too...I lucked out that my father was able to take his Kubota tractor with loader to dig and pull me out. It saved me alot of shoveling and cussing at my buggy.:laughing:

The 500 works great and plows snow far better than it should, if I had the atv tires instead of the worksite tires I might have been better off but I still think chains are the way to go. The studded diamond chains work very well.

timswi · Jan 17, 2011

DIXIEDOG said:
Mine worked well the first couple storms but after burying it twice the other night it was obvious I wouldn't be able to make it through the whole winter without chains. It's a pain getting one unstuck afterwards too...I lucked out that my father was able to take his Kubota tractor with loader to dig and pull me out. It saved me alot of shoveling and cussing at my buggy.:laughing:

The 500 works great and plows snow far better than it should, if I had the atv tires instead of the worksite tires I might have been better off but I still think chains are the way to go. The studded diamond chains work very well.

Didn't know you had the worksite tires..That explains it..I had ATV's