Chains B3200 Chains......

[Teikas Dad]

Not chains, but a cheaper option. For $60 versus $300+ it may be something that interests you.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/snow-removal/193438-cutting-groving-siping-r-4-a.html

 

[Toolguy]

AStanton,
Do you have spacers on your wheels or do the chains fit without them?

 

[AStanton]

I needed spacers. I bought the 1.5 inch ones from the Kubota Dealer. They ended up giving me a bout 2" clearance for each rear wheel. Here are the before and after pics.

 

[dcosto]

Do these spacers put any additional stress on the axle?

 

[lakeside]

Do these spacers put any additional stress on the axle?

I have a B26 and I also live in the mountains where we get up to 12 ft of snow over a normal winter. I bought V chains from tirechains.com and swear by them. I used to install the chains by laying them on the ground and driving over them. I now drive over them but jack up the tractor and turn the rear wheels pulling up the chains. I use jack stands for safety and I always use safety glasses. After having the top of a truck battery blow in my face (I was wearing safety glasses !!!) I'm religious about uses eye protection. I only have chains on the rear wheels as I've heard 4wd with chains can damage the front axle.

 

[kco]

As already mentioned...it is likely best to try rear chains and determine later if you want front chains. I use modified DUO's on the rear and light (old truck chains?) 2-link ladders on the front. I could get by with rear-only chains(and did for the first year) but front chains help steering even when not using 4WD. I don't sense the front chains cause harmful stress while blowing snow, but some will disagree. I don't use 4WD for road travelling or easy sections but most of my actual clearing does require 4WD. I believe a key is to accelerate smoothly and avoid wheel slippage as much as practical.

V-bars will demand more care than regular chains to avoid damage to pavement or concrete. My fronts are v-bars but so worn that they don't damage the pavement. I imagine v-bars are much more effective on ice and hard-packed snow.

Chains greatly improve traction in ice and snow, especially with R4(as opposed to R1) tires.