Another Chain Question

[DIXIEDOG]

Here are the chains I've got right now, there are large voids where the chains don't contact the ground. Is there an easy way to add in more chain to fill the voids? Is it possible to run a cross link diameter wise around the tire to make the chain more like a diamond chain?

Try not to drool over my custom seat cover

 

[kebo]

Actually, I'm drooling over that custom counterweight!!!

 

[DIXIEDOG]

Actually, I'm drooling over that custom counterweight!!!

Can't hide money, huh?

 

[Chilly807]

You're probably getting a "hopping" action when the wheels spin ? No problem to add more chain, all you need to do is buy a bunch of twist link chain the same size as what the existing ones are made of, then break out the hacksaw or zip-cut and welder.

It'll take a while, but I'd say a day would do it easy. All I do when adding chain is cut one side, twist the link open with a couple adjustable wrenches, add length where it's needed, twist it back and give it a shot with the welder to seal 'er up. You might not even have to take them off to do it, just loosen them a bit. Those look pretty tight anyway, have you tried running them a little bit looser?

Chilly

 

[DIXIEDOG]

Those look pretty tight anyway, have you tried running them a little bit looser?

Chilly

They are actually pretty loose, I can easily slip my fist in between the chain and the sidewall of the tire. Initially I thought more weight would be the answer but it was recommended to me to get rid of the large voids in the chain and that would cure my traction problem. I just need more go for backing up slopes. I'm looking for the cheapest and easiest ways to do it.

 

[Chilly807]

If you're satisfied with the tension, which sounds about right from what I know, then adding more chain will probably be the easiest way to get better results.
I think my Kubota is quite a bit lighter than your machine, so weight shouldn't be a huge factor.

From the looks of the way the cross chains are attached to the side chains, you may want to move them closer together a link to get enough room to add more cross chains.

Another option, and one worth looking at, is offering the old chains for sale. They should go pretty quick this time of year. Invest what you get from them towards a new set of ice chains. I think when you figure in the difference between buying more chain and your time adding them, it might be worth it.

Used chains in good shape (yours look pretty good) are selling for almost the price of new ones here.

Chilly

 

[DIXIEDOG]

Has anyone ever tried these Aquiline Talon Studded chains?

Are they pretty good?

 

[Chilly807]

They look pretty close to what I have, mine are made by Norse. According to the dealer I got mine from, Norse has a new design out with square studs, mine are the older round style, with 8 mm chain diameter.

New Norse Super Tractor Studded Ice Chains - Halifax Farming Equipment For Sale - Kijiji Halifax The last picture of the chain spread out is what I have.

If they're anything like the Norse ones, it's a good quality chain.

Chilly

 

[DIXIEDOG]

They look pretty close to what I have, mine are made by Norse. According to the dealer I got mine from, Norse has a new design out with square studs, mine are the older round style, with 8 mm chain diameter.

New Norse Super Tractor Studded Ice Chains - Halifax Farming Equipment For Sale - Kijiji Halifax The last picture of the chain spread out is what I have.

If they're anything like the Norse ones, it's a good quality chain.

Chilly

Those chains look great but I'm struggling to find a dealer for them, I've emailed Norse several times and they don't respond. The Talons are sold by the two local tractor dealers so they are easy to find.

 

[Chilly807]

I know what you mean, I had a hard time finding any info on Norse other than what I got from the dealer (Nova International). I blame it on them being a European company with a comfortable market share in the logging industry. I suspect the folks at Nova would be willing to sell to you, but the shipping cost would be horrendous.
Good chance your local dealers have a good quality product as well, they'd be foolish not to.

If you do go with something like that, I think you'll see quite a difference in traction. The studs really bite on ice and frozen ground. May be tough on pavement though.

Chilly

 

[lungdoc]

Take a look at the Duo-ladder type chain trom tirechains.com Duo Ladder Tractor Tire Chains - they are exactly what you are describing, I have them and work well. I think you could easily add the "ladder" extra side chains (which is the difference between these and your current duo-grip type chain). The studded or V-bar chains are more aggressive but harder on pavement/concrete. I run those on the front and the duo-ladders on the rear.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

Take a look at the Duo-ladder type chain trom tirechains.com Duo Ladder Tractor Tire Chains - they are exactly what you are describing, I have them and work well. I think you could easily add the "ladder" extra side chains (which is the difference between these and your current duo-grip type chain). The studded or V-bar chains are more aggressive but harder on pavement/concrete. I run those on the front and the duo-ladders on the rear.

That looks like a pretty good option for me. I finally got a price on the Norse chains and they are $920 +shipping for a set for the rear so I'd rather avoid that option. I could get those studded Talons for just under $400 which was the route I was going to go but nobody has them in stock.

I think I might add the ladder chains to my current duo-grips and give it a try. I might even go for a V-bar ladder chain to try to get a little more digging action.

 

[Chilly807]

I finally got a price on the Norse chains and they are $920 +shipping for a set for the rear so I'd rather avoid that option.

Holy smoke , that's pricey !! What size tires do you have? Mine are 11.2 x 24 R1's, chains were $550 plus tax to hold 'em on with...

$920 seems pretty expensive, that would choke me right up..

Chilly

 

[DIXIEDOG]

Holy smoke , that's pricey !! What size tires do you have? Mine are 11.2 x 24 R1's, chains were $550 plus tax to hold 'em on with...

$920 seems pretty expensive, that would choke me right up..

Chilly

My tires are 14.9 X 24, the price not only choked me up it ran me off

 

[Chilly807]

My tires are 14.9 X 24, the price not only choked me up it ran me off

That's desperate expensive for that size.. that was a dealer in the US? If you wanted the Norse over another brand, I'd try calling the guys at Nova International, they've been great to deal with here. Shipping might not be as bad as I thought, I'd say you're looking at about $600 CDN plus shipping. After you translate the difference in currency, you're paying about the same as I did probably. An option anyway.

Chilly

 

[Max2310]

Has anyone ever tried these Aquiline Talon Studded chains?

Are they pretty good?

This looks pretty much like the ones I have and they are great! But, expensive. Mine cost me 495$CD plus taxes for a sub-compact. It was hard to digest at first since I was expecting chains on all four wheels for that price but I got over it now and don't regret it. I got them from my MF dealer and don't know where they got them.

I was going to suggest you to try to add the missing links to have the squares connected to each other like this picture above. Even without the studs, I'm sure you would get better results for a much better price.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

That's desperate expensive for that size.. that was a dealer in the US? If you wanted the Norse over another brand, I'd try calling the guys at Nova International, they've been great to deal with here. Shipping might not be as bad as I thought, I'd say you're looking at about $600 CDN plus shipping. After you translate the difference in currency, you're paying about the same as I did probably. An option anyway.

Chilly

That price was direct from Norse

 

[Chilly807]

That price was direct from Norse

Hmm... a friend of mine was in Norway a few years ago, told me things were expensive as he** there. This may be an example of what he was getting at.

If you can find a dealer for them somewhere near you, you should be able to get them for the same or less than mine.

Chilly

 

[DIXIEDOG]

Hmm... a friend of mine was in Norway a few years ago, told me things were expensive as he** there. This may be an example of what he was getting at.

If you can find a dealer for them somewhere near you, you should be able to get them for the same or less than mine.

Chilly

Cheapest ice chains I could find with exception of the Talons which were sold out were well over $700

 

[PILOON]

Has anyone ever tried these Aquiline Talon Studded chains?

Are they pretty good?

My tractor had these installed and while traction was good as well as the ride I got fedup with the links (read S hooks) letting go and the chains flopping all over the place.

I measured the width and cut all the chain and proceeded to create a traditional ladder setup at every 3 link (generally called dual ladder).

My comments are:
Ride was much smoother,
never in 4 years have lost or broken any link/attachment
Traction was actually superior.

Since I'm retired I had the time available but would convert again in a flash.
My conversion probably cast $40-50 in links and additional studded cross sections but in my opinion wery well worth the efforts.

I have plowed on hard blue ice, like after a heavy thaw, and never had any problems with traction, even on my hilly drive.

At first I had the crosses at every 5th link and found that I'd get a 'slip then grab' kinda traction as well as a very bumpy ride.
Going to every 3d link made traction and ride just like day and night. No slip/grab as there was always one cross chain in contact with the surface. In fact hardly even marks the paved section of my drive.