Traction Tire Chains

[beenthere]

I just came in from my shop. I've been working on a set of chains for the rear of my 4200 4WD. JD. There is not much clearance on the inside to the fender. I can reverse the wheels and only gain 3/4". I was given a set of chains, but they were quite wide for my tires. They wrapped around and down the sidewalls too far for clearance. I'm cutting all the cross links shorter so they will go down only about 3" on each side. I don't have a set of those chain pliers to do this and it took me 5 hrs. to do one chain with a cold chisel and hammer to seperate the connecting links. Hope to get the other one done tomorrow. I can't get up in the woods to get my fire wood and only have enough left for about 10 days. I need to go to auto pars or someplace tomorrow and get something that connects the chains and locks. What do you think about just using the cain links that have a threaded nut on one side and then a few bungys on the outside to keep them tight. I'm open for any help out there as to what i'm doing. I would have just bought the correct size chains for it, but money is really scarce right now.

Thanks all,
Clayton

simonds
You have the right idea about cutting the cross links back so the side chains ride up higher on the wheel. I did the same to better fit my 4300.

But IMO the bungies alone will likely not do the job of keeping the tension on the outside side chain. I would visit a farm store and pick up a tire chain tightener latch for the outside. There are several different types. Just a simple hook will do for the inside side chain, leaving no loose links to bang around.

Here is a pic of my 4300 chains.

 

[simonds]

Thanks for the tips on the chains.
"Beenthere", Did you reverse your wheels around, or were they ok for clearence. Your picture is exactly what mine are looking like. I'll go to TSC. this morning and see if I can get a hook for the inside and tightener latch for the outside. Today I'll try working with the vice instead of on the concrete floor. I did the floor thing yesterday so I could lay the chain out flat to make sure everything was hooked in the right directions and no twists.

Thanks
Clayton

 

[PointyHairedBoss]

Has anyone tried both chains & studs? (I don't mean at the same time). I'd like to hear how their performance compares on hilly gravel driveways.

 

[beenthere]

Thanks for the tips on the chains.
"Beenthere", Did you reverse your wheels around, or were they ok for clearence. .............Thanks
Clayton

Yes, I did switch the wheels side to side. Seems to have no problems with clearance now. Even with the cable inside the fender from the addition of the 3rd SCV which mounts to the right-side fender.