Inspired by this thread http://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/viewtopic.php?t=1181599 I decided to pull the chains that came with my 850 out of the buckets I brought them home in and see about getting them on to my tractor. I was pleased to find that they were not the regular ladder chains I had expected but the "Duo Grip" type where each pair of cross chains is tied together by a couple of straight links on either side of the centerline of the tire. Unfortunately one of the set had both fasteners broken and the other had a broken (missing) cross link where one of the "bridge" links connected to a cross chain. I came in and ordered some replacement parts online, then remembered I had some 3/8" rod in the barn and decided to try making a cross chain repair link myself, like this one:
I cut a 6" section of rod and bent the two loops with the help of a torch and hammer. After a bit more hammering to get the 3 links from the cross chain and "bridge" chain in place and get the repair link closed up, this is what it looked like (sorry, bad lighting. It's the one centered on the face of the angle iron):
[/img]
The overlap of the two ends gives it a natural twist that helps it lie smooth with the other twisted cross links. Not sure it was worth it versus the cost of buying the link, but it was instant gratification and I got to feel like I accomplished something today. Unfortunately I have to widen my wheels to get these on without trashing my fenders, so the new link (along with some very temporary end fasteners made of 8.5 gauge brace wire) is all the gratification I get.
I cut a 6" section of rod and bent the two loops with the help of a torch and hammer. After a bit more hammering to get the 3 links from the cross chain and "bridge" chain in place and get the repair link closed up, this is what it looked like (sorry, bad lighting. It's the one centered on the face of the angle iron):
[/img]
The overlap of the two ends gives it a natural twist that helps it lie smooth with the other twisted cross links. Not sure it was worth it versus the cost of buying the link, but it was instant gratification and I got to feel like I accomplished something today. Unfortunately I have to widen my wheels to get these on without trashing my fenders, so the new link (along with some very temporary end fasteners made of 8.5 gauge brace wire) is all the gratification I get.
