Chains What chains to buy for snow?

[keony]

Piston,
Yes, I have a front end loader and a driveway with challenges similar to oosik. I've made my order and went with 2 link ladder style with v-bars front and back.
Probably never snow here again, .

 

[oosik]

The front chains were much easier than the rear to install. Even though they were HD, they were smaller, lighter and easier to handle. Actually, I should clarify the "leaving a mark on the asphalt" bit. They would leave scuff marks on frozen driveway or asphalt if I went side/side with the front tires when not moving. When the tractor was moving the chains only left marks if the ground was soft - same as the tire itself.

And unless your woods area is hard frozen ground, like clay, you will hardly notice that you have chains on. It never bothered that much off my driveway. I had to learn to be somewhat careful when rooting around in the woods. With the chains on the rears, the tires do not slip - i.e. - you can be climbing a tree before you realize it. The V-bars I had gave truly amazing added traction.

 

[oosik]

Hey keony - if that "new chains, no snow" - works for you, let me know.

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

On my gravel drive and road.... I use 2 link ladder chains, without V bars... My tractor has loaded, 33" turf tires....

Your road surface, tires, and other equipment differences may require something different than the next poster...

Good luck

 

[keony]

Hey keony - if that "new chains, no snow" - works for you, let me know.

Ha ha, yes, what a waste of money, tractor, chains, etc.
I imagine the snow and ice will come again all too soon!

 

[Piston]

Keony,
Good job ordering the chains! Could you post a link to the ones you ordered?

The front chains were much easier than the rear to install. Even though they were HD, they were smaller, lighter and easier to handle. Actually, I should clarify the "leaving a mark on the asphalt" bit. They would leave scuff marks on frozen driveway or asphalt if I went side/side with the front tires when not moving. When the tractor was moving the chains only left marks if the ground was soft - same as the tire itself. And unless your woods area is hard frozen ground, like clay, you will hardly notice that you have chains on. It never bothered that much off my driveway. I had to learn to be somewhat careful when rooting around in the woods. With the chains on the rears, the tires do not slip - i.e. - you can be climbing a tree before you realize it. The V-bars I had gave truly amazing added traction.

Just to clarify, because I'm a little confused (wife complains that she has to talk to me like she talks to our 2 yr old ) are you saying that the front v-bar chains DID help a lot in the woods, or DID NOT help much in the woods?

 

[keony]

Piston,
I used Tire Chains by TireChains.com, 2 link ladder chain with v-bars.

 

[The Fred]

The V bar chains are great on the front. My local Napa store has them in stock. Chinese made about 120 bux for the pair. They make a mess of the concrete garage floor, ok with me because they work.

Didn't matter what weight I had on the frond end, FEL or snow plow or nothing. The duo ladders on the rear stunk but keep in mind we had 2 inches of ice and 2 feet of snow on top. The ice was the killer underneath.

Regards, Fred

 

[arrow]

Keony,
Good job ordering the chains! Could you post a link to the ones you ordered?




Just to clarify, because I'm a little confused (wife complains that she has to talk to me like she talks to our 2 yr old ) are you saying that the front v-bar chains DID help a lot in the woods, or DID NOT help much in the woods?

Chains are a great asset in the woods whether the forest floor is leaf strewn, snowed on or mudded up. In deeper snow in the forest, they are especially good. I just use 2 link (non studded) in front and 4 link out back.

 

[IXLR8]

When you say "mark" how bad of a mark are we talkin here?

I went to take pictures of any marks in my driveway, can't find any to speak of, never mind any that would show up in a picture. My driveway is rough enough so any marks made by the V-bar's on the chains don't show up. I saw them last spring when I made them, but I can't find them now. I do have some marks where I ran into an snow bank and stopped, but the tractor kept driving after I took my foot of the HST go pedal and it spun the wheels on the driveway. I took pics of that... but I left my camera at home and I am now out of town on business.