Tractor tire chain spring tensioners

[Chilly807]

Mine have the "boomers" on the inside and outside (seriously, that's what they're called). I did lockwire the shackle pins in place.

No tensioners other than that, but the chains fit like a glove, I have to say. The only noise I had from contact was the center links flapping against the front of the fender until I cut them to the right length.

Norse recommends putting them on "loose enough to easily slide a clenched fist between the tire and side chains", and that the "chain should rotate around the tire 30-50 cm in one kilometer of driving". Mine do just that, no problems so far at all.

Chilly

 

[JB4310]

Mine have the "boomers"

Norse recommends putting them on "loose enough to easily slide a clenched fist between the tire and side chains", and that the "chain should rotate around the tire 30-50 cm in one kilometer of driving". Mine do just that, no problems so far at all.

Chilly

If the side chains are so loose why even use those boomer things?
Why not just use the clevis shackles?

They look like nice hardware (the boomers) but look to me like what I understand they're designed for. Which is a high leverage camming tool to really snug the side chains up.

Awesome looking chains BTW
Personally I make mine as tight as I can get them and don't understand manufacturers recommendation to leave them so loose. But if they're to be so loose why use the extra latching hardware?

JB.

 

[Chilly807]

If the side chains are so loose why even use those boomer things?
Why not just use the clevis shackles?

They look like nice hardware (the boomers) but look to me like what I understand they're designed for. Which is a high leverage camming tool to really snug the side chains up.

Awesome looking chains BTW
Personally I make mine as tight as I can get them and don't understand manufacturers recommendation to leave them so loose. But if they're to be so loose why use the extra latching hardware?

JB.

According to Norse, having the chains too tight will cause "rapid chain wear and possible tire damage".

I also think they need to be loose enough to conform to the ground. As a tractor tire turns, the lugs hook into the chain and keep it from slipping around the tire too much.

As for the boomers, they let you put the chains on without too much straining. Once they've been on for a little while, chains naturally loosen as they find their "center" on the tire. I had to tighten mine once so far, now they're just about right. I initially took the boomers off and went with just the shackles, thinking the same thing you did. When I tightened them, I cut off some of the extra chain length, which got me to wondering how hard it would be to install them next year. That's when I replaced the levers.

If I get a chance, I'll scan in the install directions that came with them, it's interesting to try and decipher the "translated from Norwegian" information.

They say to run a piece of rope through the side chains, hook it over the tire lugs, then drive ahead and pull the chains up over the tire. I found it easier to jack up one wheel and drape the chain over it, then rotate the tire around and still use the rope. Mind you, these only weigh maybe 80 pounds per tire. With a bigger tire it'd be a real wrestling match.

Chilly

 

[Wes Obie]

Got mired snow in deep snow in the right away ditch twice last year and threw a chain both times, nearly impossible to re install the tire chain in that environment & could not get the chains tight enough to stay. I improvised a home made chain tensioner. It worked so well that it has become my standard. Easy on easy off easy to adjust. See photo.

 

[George2615]

Got mired snow in deep snow in the right away ditch twice last year and threw a chain both times, nearly impossible to re install the tire chain in that environment & could not get the chains tight enough to stay. I improvised a home made chain tensioner. It worked so well that it has become my standard. Easy on easy off easy to adjust. See photo. View attachment 397851

Go to HF and buy a package of the 12" HD black rubber bungees and keep them somewhere on the tractor for emergency chain tighteners. Quicker and Easier stretching a couple bungees than using a ratchet strap.

 

[plumbstraight]

hit on search to to tracks, rdbrumfield. On page 4 near the last of them you will see what I do for chains. I put these on all four, unstoppable.

 

[Garandman]

hit on search to to tracks, rdbrumfield. On page 4 near the last of them you will see what I do for chains. I put these on all four, unstoppable.

These?

Thread.

 

[ozob2k]

On my small tractors and off road trucks, I air down the tires and put the chains on tight then air them back up. No tighteners needed. Of course wouldn't work on a loaded tire.

 

[Wes Obie]

On my small tractors and off road trucks, I air down the tires and put the chains on tight then air them back up. No tighteners needed. Of course wouldn't work on a loaded tire.

I have done that - they can get to tight and then the chains do not move slightly on the tire and can produce unusual wear marks on the tires. On the other had if you are like just working your own property you probably do not put on enough miles to make a difference.

 

[spitter]

Dont want to be mr know it all or wise guy but wes i think u have your chains on inside out. That might explain wear marks on tire.