Tire Chains

Tom Bond

Member
Any recommendations on how the chains should set on the tires? Over the top of the treads like in the 1st. picture or in between them like in the 2nd. picture? I know... Your all makin' fun of my crude weight setup for some extra traction but hey....It's 260# of old air handler motor sheaves that I've changed out over the last few jobs. Otherwise they were going to the scrap yard. They still clear the top link while in the lowered position so I think I'm OK.
10897.jpg
10898.jpg
 
They will find their own position, some will be in the cavity and some not. Dont worry they still will grab on the bottom and sides. they make a world of difference, put some shock cords on the side to keep them tight.
 
The chains will move on you anyway Tom,
they won't stay where you put them, specially if you spin a tire.
Drive it around a little, slowly, and see what they do.
You want them as tight as you can get them, and then
add some bungie cords across the outside of your wheels to take up slack.
Otherwise they may swing/slap your fenders.

P.S. chains don't just scratch paint when they hit fenders, they bend sheet metal!
As long as the weights don't move, any weight is better than none.
I can't remember if you said you loaded your tires or not, but more weight
seems to be better when it comes to plowing snow here in Michigan.

10900.jpg
 
correct me if i"m wrong but that link that connects the side chain to the chains that run over the tread should be turned the other way to be correct.
 
I agree with the other poster. Your chains are on inside-out. The cross-link fastener ends need to face outward.

Also, with a 4-link chain on R1 tires don't worry where the cross links start out. They will ALL likely end up between the lugs after just a couple uses.

The only solution is 2-link or even better Duo-Grip or similar that make a X-pattern over the lugs.
 
The way he has them is the way I have always installed them. Maybe I have always been wrong, my wife would certainly agree with that.
 
Well if you think about it what good are they when they are like the #2 picture they never get out and hit the ice or snow and that is why you have them one isn't it. #1 is the way you want them but keeping them that way is hard to do unless you have the X link type chains or a center chain running all the way around the tire. So #1 is the correct way. As for the weights if you move them back to and one the 3 point equipment they will do you a lot more good
 
By the way I meant to answer Tom not you but the to respond areas where real close on this one and I hit the wrong one LOL
 
Don't waste time worrying about or trying to get them to lie on top or between the lugs, they will lay where they want to. But by all means get a bunch of bungee cords or rubber tarp straps and snug them down tight against the tire. We always used about 3 or 4 on the outside of the tire and even put a few tarp straps on the inside of the tire. They always worked better for us when snugged down tight, and they don't flop around and damage something.
 
(quoted from post at 16:55:30 09/21/12) Don't waste time worrying about or trying to get them to lie on top or between the lugs, they will lay where they want to. But by all means get a bunch of bungee cords or rubber tarp straps and snug them down tight against the tire. We always used about 3 or 4 on the outside of the tire and even put a few tarp straps on the inside of the tire. They always worked better for us when snugged down tight, and they don't flop around and damage something.
That's what I was pointing out with my picture last night too Dan.
I noticed today that the post doesn't show up at all on Classic View. Not sure why.
 
That"s what I was pointing out with my picture last night too Dan.
I noticed today that the post doesn"t show up at all on Classic View. Not sure why.
I submitted this post from both views just to see what happens.
 
I have Never had to use bungees or coat hang wires to keep my chains on. If the truth be known I would be embarassed to have them on my tractor. (comes from my dad who would ridicule people who he saw with them)
Get your side chains snugged up good and you don't need them. I have never dropped a chain.
 
We didn't do it to keep the chains on. We saw that it worked better. We often kept the chains on through the spring mud season, often had short trips down a paved road. Tractor rode better and didn't sling mud near as bad. Dad thought it reduced wear on the chains, but I can' t say for sure that was true.
 
Have to give you a hard time. If your where your handle indicates your from you people go into the ditches when you get a 1/2 inch of snow and can not drive over 10mph in the stuff. People like Ultra know what snow is as in feet of the stuff. Me here in Missouri almost NEVER use the chains I have. Yep got to say something to give you a hard time and mean nothing bad to you just in Texas you do not get any real snow or ice. If that is where you are
 
I grew up in the hills of West Virginia, near Elkins. Had to lock in the hubs a lot of mornings just to get out of the driveway. Had to contend with snow, occasional deep snow, ice from the freeze/thaw cycles, and spring mud. We chained up each year in November or December to feed the cattle over the winter, and left the chains on until March or so. I think I know a thing or two about running tractors with chains.
 
Ladder chains on tires with good ag tread are almost useless. And yes, in the first post they are inside out. You want the cut ends of the cross links facing out to avoid damaging the tire.

Something that may help is to join to sets of cross chains with lighter chain to make what some makers call Duo Grip, as shown in this link- http://tirechains.com/TractorChainmenu.htm They still won't work as good as double ring chains in ice, snow and mud.

I come from the great frozen north where we measure snow in feet, not inches and winter lasts 6 months. Trust me, you're wasting your time with ladder chains on ag tread. Either get some better cross chain type or get some bald tractor tires.
 
(quoted from post at 04:42:47 09/22/12)Either get some better cross chain type or get some bald tractor tires.


Since you already have the chains I would just take a bunch of bolts and bolt the center of the cross bars to one another making them into an X pattern. This will keep the chains UP on top of the lugs.
 
Ah so sort of like me. I was Born in Alabama but spent a good many years in MN and CT and NE and other such states so learn how to drive and even ride as in motorcycle in snow and ice
 
I agree with Ultra!
If you learn to put them on good and tight, you don't need anything else!
The last few years, the snow does not come as much as in previous years, but mine stay on all winter without any issues.
I hang mine on the tire, fasten the inside at the bottom first, as short as possible, then set the outside, usually have to re-adjust the outside once. I do tie the free ends with wire to prevent loose ends flopping about.
Regards
Brian
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top