tire chains

[Cougsfan]

I have some places I need to get to with my tractor, but can't due to snow and ice. So I went down and bought some of Les Schwab's heavy duty truck tire chains that would fit my front 10 x 16.5's (the only chains in town that would fit) hoping that would give me enough traction so I could get the job done. They didn't help at all! the cross chains fall between the lugs of the tires and provide no extra grip what-so-ever.


So I am thinking I need to order rear chains, but in the mean time, I am also thinking about tying each pair of cross chains together with chain repair links to make an "x" pattern across the tread. Hopefully that wont make the chains too short to fit. According to you all's experience, is that going to help me find some traction??

 

[atitus74]

From the picture it would confirm that the problem is the chains won't contact the ground as you have stated. You need a different chain configuration. Take a look at these:

tractor-tire chains-tractor chains

 

[RNeumann]

The number of chain links between the chains that go across the tread is the issue. Yours looks like 4-5. A good style for tractor tires is something like 1-2.

My fear is you are chasing a fix that won’t work. The proper set of V bar chains for the front of your machine should be under $100. I’ve had great luck with mine- but all I’m going is my frozen driveway!

 

[RNeumann]

Mahindra 1538 snow blade/plow setup - YouTube

 

[Cougsfan]

With hindsight, I am sure that I didn't buy the right style of chains, but they were all I could get immediately. Your site for helping to select tire chains is appreciated, Atitus. That will help me when I buy chains for the rear (next winter). But I am not about to do the ideal thing of throwing away a $130 set of chains and go buy a new pair for the front. I am just not that wealthy to throw money around like that. I am sure that someone can offer suggestions of a way to modify these chains to make them work better with these R4 tires. I would guess if I just went to more cross-links, even doubled the number, I would still have same problem. The cross links would just nestle between every set of lugs rather than every other set.

 

[Rustyiron]

From your pic, it looks like you have enough chain to offset or make the cross links go a little diagonally across the tire keeping the chain on at least the area where if crosses the lug. Keeping them there can be a problem.

 

[herm0016]

if they will fit after, you could put a couple links between each cross in the center, this would hold them at an angle to the tred and could get them to stay above the tred blocks. you could try it out with some quick links and get repair links to do it permanently.

 

[LouNY]

Your thought of making an X out of every two cross chains will get you a bit more traction.
It will be a grabby traction as you will have an X then a large bar spot an another X and a bare spot.
It may help in deep snow.
I would not recommend trying to get the chains to run diagonally as they will walk off the tire.

It is amazing the difference quality chains will make, in deep snow in the woods the old style double ring chains do good,
they are poor on ice and the ride on hard ground is terrible.

If you can swing them and will need them more then once every few years the studded Euro style will provide excellent traction as well as a decent ride.

 

[Jstpssng]

You may be able to work each cross link over a tread, then tighten the side chains to hold them in place. I did that every fall with a set of old heavy truck cross chains on the rear of my L275, it took some time to get them right but once they did I was good for the winter.
It looks like you have plenty of room to do your original idea though.

As an aside; I've run chains on tractors and pickups for 40 years and never used or needed side tensioners. If the chains are the right width and properly installed they aren't necessary.

 

[Cougsfan]

I think I will try making the x-pattern similar to the duo grips, tying the cross links at two places about 3" apart rather than just one in the center. As I have 13 cross links, I will have to add one to make things come out even. There are not enough lap links or any cross chains at the local hardware store so I will have to make a trip to the big city to get parts. The weather is predicted to clear :cool2: so this will probably not get done in time for this winter. I will purchase some duo-grips or some other x-style for the rear as they seem the most practical. I am now a bit worried about the effectiveness of any chains installed on R4 tires. Without better traction on ice and snow, my tractor is severely limited in value in the winter with all the hills around where I live.

 

[LouNY]

Good luck with your chain issues.
I would not recommend the duo-grips,
on any hard or frozen ground the ride is terrible,
and their traction increase is minimal.

 

[LD48750]

Keeping in mind my advice is worth just what you pay for it, to me it looks like your major problem is the length of your cross chains.
They appear to be too long.
Your idea of linking adjacent cross links together is good. It will shorten the cross links & help keep them on top of the tire.
Make the connection as short as you can.

 

[TractorNH]

I highly suggest when you buy your rear chains to get something like the Aquiline MPC chains. I have V-Bar ladder chains and MUST put them between the lugs on the R4 tires or the ride is VERY bumpy on hard ground. My regret is not spending more and buying the Aquiline chains in the first place. I don't know if I'll spend the money on them now since the rear v-bar ladder chains were about $400 and like you I'm not wealthy enough to just go buy more.

Here's a link to the best prices I've found on the Aquiline chains.
Tractor Tire Chains - Aquiline MPC | Free US Shipping

You should also confirm you have enough clearance for rear chains. My rear tires run close on the inside so I had to also buy wheel spacers.



Here is a pic of the v-bar ladder chains on the front...

 

[Cougsfan]

Wow, this shouldn't be so difficult! It looks to me like any chain style, including the Aquiline MPC chains will have a high percentage of the cross links falling between the R4 tire lugs. I would bet that turf tires with any old set of chains would work better in ice and snow that R-4's with even the best chains (whatever they are!).

 

[LouNY]

The Aquiline Talons chains stay up on the tires good even on R1's.
I would like to see a set of them or the OFA's on turf tires, I think that would be excellent on the smaller tractors.
View attachment snow bank 5 jan 18.jpg
Even a 2wd on wore out R1's with the talons can push a heck of a lot of snow with no problem.

 

[Cougsfan]

Today I decided to do an experiment just to get an idea on how I should modify the chains, and to see if it would be worth while. This experiment was something meant to be cheap, fast, and very temporary. I doubted it would last more than a few minutes before it broke. I took clothes line rope and tied the cross links together. On the left side I tied the cross links together in two places, about 4" apart and towards the outside of the tire.
On the right side I tied them about 2 inches apart much closer to the center.

I then took the tractor out in the snow. I found that the right side worked fairly well, but the left side didn't. The cross links on the left side worked around and went back inside the lugs. So I went back and tied the left side together tighter with a third rope on each cross link.

They chains actually worked admirably. The front tires slipped and grabbed while the rear just slipped. Much to my surprise was able to do the much needed task that I needed to have done (Carrying 6 stock panels across a pasture about 100 yards up a hill through 18" deep unplowed snow.) After that I then went over and cleared the uphill road that needed cleared at the neighbor's place. The ride wasn't excessively bumpy. The ropes are still in place after a couple of hours of work!

So I will tie the cross links together in two places Making about a 2 inch square in the middle using 2 lap links for each connection (4 ea lap links per pair of cross-links). I think that will work fine.

Those Aquiline Talons look great! Now that see them on your tractor, Lou, I doubt if either the Talons or the MPC's will fall into the lugs of my r-4's. But boy are they expensive! $850 for the Talons for my tractor and $588 for the MPC's. That is a lot more than I planned to spend, but I know now that being cheap on chains is a waste of money. I guess I am still a bit cheap because I will order the MPC's for the rear, as I think they will work adequately.

By the way Lou, I watched your video on how to put on tire chains on a tractor. Great video. That technique works well on my truck too!

Thanks to everyone for their input!

 

[John_Mc]

Here is a link to my chain experience posted in another thread. I've tried a variety: Ladder style with v-bars, then went to Duo Grip with v-bars, and finally OFO EKO 8 (studded, European style).

The OFA EKO8 chains was night and day difference in terms of traction.

 

[mikester]

I have some places I need to get to with my tractor, but can't due to snow and ice. So I went down and bought some of Les Schwab's heavy duty truck tire chains that would fit my front 10 x 16.5's (the only chains in town that would fit) hoping that would give me enough traction so I could get the job done. They didn't help at all! the cross chains fall between the lugs of the tires and provide no extra grip what-so-ever.
View attachment 595827

So I am thinking I need to order rear chains, but in the mean time, I am also thinking about tying each pair of cross chains together with chain repair links to make an "x" pattern across the tread. Hopefully that wont make the chains too short to fit. According to you all's experience, is that going to help me find some traction??

It looks like you need bigger chains. Those look like 1/4 inch where you might need 5/16 or 3/8. Your chains are sitting inside the R4 lugs so you arent getting the added traction. Im running 5/16 chains and they sit proud of the tire and they give tons of traction up front.

 

[boomer1025]

Wow, this shouldn't be so difficult! It looks to me like any chain style, including the Aquiline MPC chains will have a high percentage of the cross links falling between the R4 tire lugs. I would bet that turf tires with any old set of chains would work better in ice and snow that R-4's with even the best chains (whatever they are!).

:thumbsup:

 

[Gordon Gould]

Great idea to experiment with rope :thumbsup: Boy if it worked that well I would be temped to try heavy wire and see how long the holds up. Might get you thru the season.

gg