Tire Chains

[jcmseven]

I have a John Deere 3720 tractor. In the JD forum, we have been discussing the benefits and detriments of the R1 tires v. the R4 tires. My machine currently has R4 tires, which I like. I have been thinking about changing them to R1's, though, in part to help my traction in winter weather. I have not used my tractor, save once, in the snow for plowing. It did fine, and the MFWD was helpful. If I decide to keep the R4 tires I will likely consider tire chains. The problem I have is the steepness of the terrain. The roads in my nieghborhood, some of which I plow (for me and neighbors) are very steep (20-25%) in some cases, twisty, narrow and with sheer edges and long associated falls. Recently, we have not gotten much snow, but usually get one or two 10+ inchers at my house at least yearly. I am investigating tire chains. Does any poster know of a set of rear and or front chains that are easy and quick to mount by one person (I frequently have to plow in a hurry), give a decent ride and are slim enough not to rub a rear fender when the wheel fender interface is tight? I currently have the Galaxy R4 41x19.5x15 tires on the rear of the tractor. Thanks for the help.

John M

 

[Destructo_D]

I have a John Deere 3720 tractor. In the JD forum, we have been discussing the benefits and detriments of the R1 tires v. the R4 tires. My machine currently has R4 tires, which I like. I have been thinking about changing them to R1's, though, in part to help my traction in winter weather. I have not used my tractor, save once, in the snow for plowing. It did fine, and the MFWD was helpful. If I decide to keep the R4 tires I will likely consider tire chains. The problem I have is the steepness of the terrain. The roads in my nieghborhood, some of which I plow (for me and neighbors) are very steep (20-25%) in some cases, twisty, narrow and with sheer edges and long associated falls. Recently, we have not gotten much snow, but usually get one or two 10+ inchers at my house at least yearly. I am investigating tire chains. Does any poster know of a set of rear and or front chains that are easy and quick to mount by one person (I frequently have to plow in a hurry), give a decent ride and are slim enough not to rub a rear fender when the wheel fender interface is tight? I currently have the Galaxy R4 41x19.5x15 tires on the rear of the tractor. Thanks for the help.

John M

Go to your local tractor dealer or look online for "Duo-grip". It is a h-pattern chain designed for tractor tires.

 

[dirtworksequip]

John, get me the R1's in trade for my R4's and I'll give you a set of brand new never used V-bar chains for your front tires that I just bought at tirechains.com.

 

[Boondox]

My land sounds a lot like yours except that we get a LOT of snow most years. I run R1s because of the seasonal mud, with Norse ice chains in the winter. Destructo_D is on target when he suggested something with a design that maintains continuous contact with the ground. Other designs work, but the ride is exceptionally rough on hard or frozen ground.

As for the easy part, that's a relative term. I've never found a chain that gives sufficient traction that didn't also give me a wrestling match during mount and dismount. It only takes me 15 minutes per side, but it's 15 miserable minutes. I mount mine in October and take them off in June just to avoid the trouble of trying to deal with them in inclement weather.

Pete

 

[Oleozz]

Tirechain.com sells the 4 link and 2 link. The 2 link is recommended for R1's because the chains don't have as much chance to slip down into the lugs. I just put a pair of 4 link road chains on the R1's of my Kioti 45, I put them on the front. The 2 link is twice as expensive, have a good friend who does lots of plowing with the 4 link road chains and he's never had any problems. I had rear chains for my Ferguson 30 but never bothered with them on the John Deere and they had turf tires. I think it's important to get the chain tensioners/adjusters, they really help keep the chains tight and snug.

 

[scott_vt]

Other designs work, but the ride is exceptionally rough on hard or frozen ground.


Pete

I have standard link chains on my R1 tires, and Pete is correct, on hard or frozen ground the ride is terrible ! I like the R1 tires when the fields are wet in the spring but this time of year with these chains on these tires I wouldnt reccomend these to anyone !

 

[Oleozz]

Tire chains have been a fairly hot topic on this site. There have been lots of discussion as to what tires (front or back) they should be on, two link or four, will it ruin your 4WD system, who to get from, etc. I have posted a pic of the chains I bought from Tirechain.com. They were easy to put on, no snow here so don't know if they will bump me to pieces when I go to use them.

 

[Opti-Mist]

I plowed snow in similar conditions with turf tires w/standard chains. Never had problem, even on ice.

 

[JJT]

I run double ringed chains on the rear of my L3710. Outstanding traction in the snow, ice and mud, (and being double rings they self clean). I can mount them in 10 minutes per side, I jack the rear axle up and wrap the chains around the tires. I use a ton of short rubber straps to keep the chains tight, (inside and outside). I've seen guys tear fenders off with loose chains.

 

[scott_vt]

Tire chains have been a fairly hot topic on this site. There have been lots of discussion as to what tires (front or back) they should be on, two link or four, will it ruin your 4WD system, who to get from, etc. I have posted a pic of the chains I bought from Tirechain.com. They were easy to put on, no snow here so don't know if they will bump me to pieces when I go to use them.

Mornin Oleozz,
My chains are quite similar to yours other than your center springs, I have a couple of rubber bungee cords on each tire and I get bounced around pretty good on frozen ground ! I kind of wish I had bought the skidder style chains.

 

[Oleozz]

Morning Scotty--To be honest I went with those kind of chains because they were the cheapest I could find. I'm sure I would have been better off with the 2 link but they were twice the price. Any snow up there in Vt.?

 

[scott_vt]

Morning Scotty--To be honest I went with those kind of chains because they were the cheapest I could find. I'm sure I would have been better off with the 2 link but they were twice the price. Any snow up there in Vt.?

Oleozz,
We have had a couple small storms, only a few inches total. Last weekend we had more ice than snow. Only a little bit on the ground but its been very cooolddd It sounds like we may pick up another couple inches on friday. Havent had to plow the driveway yet. By this time of year my 800 ft driveway is usually solid ice ! Which is great for sledding Still have a few weeks to go !

BTW Thats why I bought them too

 

[ksmmoto]

I run chains on front and back on my Kubota L3430. I feel that they still slip some and that keeps the four wheel drive from winding up. I had them on last winter with no problem.

I have several snow removal contracts with local church's and the chains do leave marks on the pavement, not deep but they are noticeable. So this winter I am leaving the chains off until we get ice or real heavy snow.

I found a very easy way to install the chains from reading different ideas here on TBN. First layout the chain with the outside UP. Then hook a logging chain on and back the tractor up to the tire chain. Run the logging chain over the tire and start it underneath. Then drive slowly ahead and the tire chain will be pulled up over the tire by the logging chain. Watch the chain to keep it centered and when the end clears the bottom it is super easy to hookup because it is pulled so tight.

I can put on a chain with springs and all in five minutes each.

ksmmoto

 

[jpm]

i put my chains on in nov when i thought it was going to freeze up,but it never happen so i took them off because they were chewing the drive and everything else because of all the rain.Comes last weekend an i'm not here so i end up with 1/2" plus of ice and zero temps.Today i tried to sand my drive and ended up sliding down 100 feet.The chains are frozen in ice,tractor sitting on a hill with no traction so i took #6 x1/2 " sheet metal screws popped a few dozen in the rear tires and up the hill i went

 

[BTDT]

i put my chains on in nov when i thought it was going to freeze up,but it never happen so i took them off because they were chewing the drive and everything else because of all the rain.Comes last weekend an i'm not here so i end up with 1/2" plus of ice and zero temps.Today i tried to sand my drive and ended up sliding down 100 feet.The chains are frozen in ice,tractor sitting on a hill with no traction so i took #6 x1/2 " sheet metal screws popped a few dozen in the rear tires and up the hill i went

That's great! I'd heard of folks doing that. Any pics. I wonder if that could go in Soundguys thread "using the wrong tool" for the job.

 

[teach]

John,
Checking out tirechains.com is the way to go. I ordered mine just last week, they arived in about four or five days, and only took about 20 minutes total to open the box, jack up the tractor, and install them on the rears of my B7100 turfs. They offer quite a variety of chains. My driveway sounds like the roads you are plowing on, steep and curvey. My chains are the most basic type, "single bar" (?) and may offfer a slightly bumpier ride, but there are configerations that are supposed to offer a less bumpy ride (I think they are called "double bar", they basically just consist of more rows of chains than the basic style that I purchased). I wished we actually had some snow now to try them in. This winter is really strange in Little Rhody this year. Good luck!
Teach

 

[lhfarm]

I found a very easy way to install the chains from reading different ideas here on TBN. First layout the chain with the outside UP. Then hook a logging chain on and back the tractor up to the tire chain. Run the logging chain over the tire and start it underneath. Then drive slowly ahead and the tire chain will be pulled up over the tire by the logging chain. Watch the chain to keep it centered and when the end clears the bottom it is super easy to hookup because it is pulled so tight.

I can put on a chain with springs and all in five minutes each.

ksmmoto

I just put chains on my TC40DA yesterday. We got a few inches of snow last night - the first of the winter. I posted my purchase last year, along with the pain of getting them on. Someone here suggested laying the chains out behind the tractor, but using a bungy cord/rubber strap through a wheel slot to hold one end of the chain against the tire. Just drive forward. It worked like a charm and I did both wheels at the same time. The hardest part was laying the chain out. This method is so easy, I won't be concerned about leaving them off till I need them next winter.

 

[jpm]

So after 5 days of working on my iced drive i can report how well the sheet metal screw "studs" work.I put about 200 in total front and rear and they will cut ice if they spin quite well . i did notice all the front studs popped out but the rears mostly stayed in.the answer to the big question do they replace chains? no. They will work short time,or down south w/o alot ice and snow on hills but long term in vt chains still are the way to go but they do ride much smoother

 

[jdgreg]

Curious, you said some of the front scres popped out. Does that mean this spring you're gonna be having a few flats from picking up those screws in your tires?

 

[jpm]

i hope not