Ford 445C Tire Chain Fit?

I'm having a challenge fitting my Duo-Trac tire chains on my 445C with 16.9 x 24 Titan R-4 tires on one-piece rims. I have about 1 inch of clearance between the widest part of the tire body and the loader frame. There is about 2-1/4" inches of clearance between the outer part of the tire by the lugs and the loader frame.

I tried offsetting the chains to the outside, by dropping zero side links on the inside and dropping 5 links on the outside, and using 4 heavy duty bungee cords to pull any slack to the outside. Most of the inner chain rail rides on the outer part of the tire and clears the loader frame, but some parts of the chain side links ride lower on wider part of the tire body and contact the loader frame, causing wear on the side connectors.

The 15" wide rims have 9-1/2" of offset on the inside and 5" inset on the outside. If I swap the tires from side to side, I will gain about 5" of width on each side, making the tractor 10" wider, and wider than the loader bucket.

I can find hub centric 2" wheel spacers from BORA. but they are pricey at $400 per pair. My 3/4" diameter wheel lugs have regular nuts with washers, and only about 1/8" of thread beyond the nut so a ring type wheel spacer is not an option.

Any ideas?

Thank you in advance.
Guy

I had the same type of trouble with the 14.9x24's on my Oliver 2-44 (Industrial 550 ) loader tractor 10 years ago. Too little clearance on the inside against the lower loader frame. They also hit the inside of the fenders. VERY HARD on my fingers! I ordered some 8-bolt 1/2 inch spacers from my local tractor jockey parts seller. He ordered them from M&W I think. They sell them as weld in centers to strengthen puller wheels. I bought 4, 2 per side, and bought longer wheel bolts. I greases them up before installing, so when I need the wheel off it will come off. The chains work perfectly and stay on year around, since the R-4's lack some pulling power being flat lugs. Worked for me! With fixed wheel lugs, you may have to pound them out and install longer lugs. Another option might be narrower tires and rims? Good Luck! Ron

Thanks;

I have 3/4" diam. studs which are a common large truck size. Should be able to find longer studs with correct base diameter, and add spacers. May have to convert wheel holes to tapered lug nuts.