Chains Tire Chains

[Henro]

To me, the question is not how deep the snow is, but how steep the slopes are that you will be using your tractor on.

Waiting to buy until after you find you have the need is a good policy! Frank is right on target there.

Waiting is what I did...and like I mentioned above...I did not have to wait long before I learned I needed chains. Learned even before the first snowfall... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

In my case it became more of a safety issue than a traction issue. It is a strange feeling sliding down a slope and wondering how,when and where you are going to stop... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

After I put the chains on, I tried the same slope under the same conditions and was able to stop, and even back up it. A world of difference.

Chains on the rear of my tractor do make for a less smooth ride, so if you can do without them it would be better in my opinion. You don't notice this much in the snow, but I certainly noticed the difference when I put them on this week and was moving on hard ground...not that bad, but you can feel them.

 

[CTyler]

This is for anybody....On a 4WD tractor using 4WD do the chains go on the front or rear? I'm assuming the front.

My manual is packed away, getting ready to move, so I can't readily look it up for my L3130.

 

[Deerlope]

I would put them on all 4 wheels if I need to. There is a logger in Tupper Lake NY that has several 4330's that he uses as skidder's. He's got all 4 wheels chained.

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> This is for anybody....On a 4WD tractor using 4WD do the chains go on the front or rear? I'm assuming the front.</font>

My understanding is that you would not want to put chains on the front only. The reason is that the rear drive portion is much stouter then the front drive. If you put the chains on the front, then the "weaker" components would be hog the load, and you may overwork them and cause premature failure.

Common sense tells me this is likely, but I don't know for sure. If you compare the tractor components to the size of the drive components on a 4x4 truck for example, it sure looks like the front of the truck could handle the same load as the rear...but the tractor looks disproprotionate.

I do know that the manual for a CJ7 jeep that I had once, specifically recommended that if you put chains on, to put them on the front wheels. Again, front and rear drive train sizes are about the same on a Jeep...

I might put chains on all four wheels, but I personally would not put chains only on the front wheels of most tractors.

 

[k4330]

Why couldn't you just use them on the front if you need them? Very easy to get on and off and they would cost much less. I don't think it would be wise to use them on a lighter tractor but something with a good size front axel should be fine

 

[Junkman]

When I sold snow plows this question would come up frequently..... the answer that I got from the Western Snow Plow rep was.... if you put the chains on the front, you are pulling with the front wheels to push the snow and if you put them on the rear, you are pushing the vehicle to push snow.... didn't make much sense to me then nor does it now, but the customers would always accept it and decide which wheels they wanted to put the chains on. Personally, I don't like chains on the front wheels because it makes it hard to steer and if you break a chain and it wraps around the axle, it will do a lot more damage on the front.

 

[k4330]

I don't see that push/pull thing either. On a truck I agree about the steering and more damage, Brake lines would be fun, That has happened on the back on my truck. But on a tractor there are no brake lines on the front or anything for the chains to hit if they break I know if they broke on the back they would take out tail lights and fenders ...The steering I'm not sure about you move alot slower on a tractor so I suspect it won't be as bad ... Bill

 

[Corm]

I run chains on the fronts only. Have for the last 4 winters. I have a very steep 1/4 mile drive. The difference they make is incredible. I plow with a 3 pt blade. Without the chains, I use to have a problem steering when the blade was canted off at an angle (the blade would push the front end in the opposite direction), and I would have to lift the blade slightly off of the ground to 'make the hill', because without the weight of the blade hanging on my tractor I didn't have enough traction. With the chains on the front wheels, I can steer it, and I have plenty of traction to make the hill with the blade on the ground.

Also, one tip that I've shared here before, but there may be folks that haven't seen it. I got my chains for nothing. I got used chains from the guys at our local town garage. They use them on the town plow trucks in the winter, and they wear out a couple of sets per truck per winter. They gladly gave me several sets of their old worn out chains. I took them apart, and made up a set for my tractor. They are plenty good enough for me, all it cost was a couple of hours work, and I've got spare parts enough to keep them going as long I'll be plowing snow /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

Your mileage may vary, but for me running chains on the fronts only works real well.

Corm