Best Chain Option for a Specialty Tractor.

[TimberXX]

I have had Italian two wheel tractors for years. They are tough machines, but I am tired of swapping tires. I would like to get a good set of chains for my machine.

Sorry I cant upload a photo from my phone, but it looks like this. Google Image Result for https://nebula.wsimg.com/5c6077efdd57c585259137c71d950593?AccessKeyId=F0C8358C393A3324DE23&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

I do about 95 percent of my work on grass, I keep Turfs on the machine. But some of my work includes work in the woods.

I have reached out to a few companies for custom double ring chains for my machine. I have the clearance for it. The tires are 20x8x10.

Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated.

 

[TimberXX]

I was hoping to bump this message. I haven't heard back from any custom tire chain guys. Does anyone know a custom chain building company.

 

[RickB]

I have used tire chains on tractors for 50+ years. I think double rings are too big for your tire size and the incredibly rough ride(for lack of a better term) would negate the benefits. I would try a pair of two link ladder chains or v bar ladder chains like these.

Tire Chains-2 8. 1

Typical double ring rings are over 2 inches in diameter and are out of scale for your tire size.

 

[compact]

I agree double ring may not be right for this tire. It痴 similar to the front tire of a small tractor, the suggestion to use a double ladder chain (2x the number of cross chains as a single) that fits the tire seems like sound advice. These are available standard for many sizes, ask Google to find vendors. This type of chain is good for forward traction, reverse they partly fall between lugs and loose some effectiveness. Putting chains on and getting them reasonably tight is a bit of a pain also, maybe easier than swapping wheels though.

 

[Smokeydog]

Unique application. Might consider getting a pair of chain pliers, used car chains cheap and then cut/add to make a custom set. Cross bar chains that fit my old Volkswagen come to mine. Doubling the cross chains for ag use.

Have several BCSs. Tough garden machines.

 

[cmyoung2]

I just use cut down car chains for my BCS. Can't remember if I added cross chains, but I don't think so. I do use rubber bungees for tighteners. I'm using them in the winter with the snow blower. My tires are ag tires, foam filled for weight. The chains make a big difference in snow/mud.

 

[BlueKnife]

Tire Chains-2 8. 1

 

[rScotty]

Tire Chains-2 8. 1

I don't think that that type of chain is appropriate for tractors. I'm so old that I go back to the time when most tractors were 2wd, and everyone who had a tractor had chains for the tires. Nobody used that type of chain. You use a diamond pattern that stands above the lugs, not a radial pattern chain that drops down between the lugs. It just doesn't work with ag (R1) or industrial tires (R4). It can't work if it it drops below the lugs.

In fairness, those type of chains are cheap, easy to put on, and easy to modify to fit a tire. I'm sure they work on smooth surface tires like turf (R3) tires or automotive tires. But they don't work on most tractor tires. Use real tractor chains instead and you'll be surprised how well they work.
rScotty

 

[RickB]

I don't think that that type of chain is appropriate for tractors. I'm so old that I go back to the time when most tractors were 2wd, and everyone who had a tractor had chains for the tires. Nobody used that type of chain. You use a diamond pattern that stands above the lugs, not a radial pattern chain that drops down between the lugs. It just doesn't work with ag (R1) or industrial tires (R4). It can't work if it it drops below the lugs.

In fairness, those type of chains are cheap, easy to put on, and easy to modify to fit a tire. I'm sure they work on smooth surface tires like turf (R3) tires or automotive tires. But they don't work on most tractor tires. Use real tractor chains instead and you'll be surprised how well they work.
rScotty

Chain options for a 20x8-10 tires are somewhat limited. 2 link ladder chains will work just fine on that shallow tread.
The tractors you are remembering probably had 28-38 inch rears, double ring chains were the industry standard for decades in that size range. We had one tractor with double ring chains and one with highway (4 link ladder) chains. 34 inch R1 tires.

 

[rScotty]

Chain options for a 20x8-10 tires are somewhat limited. 2 link ladder chains will work just fine on that shallow tread.
The tractors you are remembering probably had 28-38 inch rears, double ring chains were the industry standard for decades in that size range.

Well, I haven't put a chain on since I got 4wd.

But I well remember sizing chain and making ladder link chains into double ring diamond pattern. Doing it yourself the first time takes about an evening in the workshop. Just a couple of hours with a pry par, a vise, and some big pliers to put on extra rings. Or any tractor tire shop can do it for you.

Not exactly rocket science, and a good thing it is simple because the fit on of the chain on the tire is as important as the pattern.
rScotty

 

[BlueKnife]

I don't think that that type of chain is appropriate for tractors. I'm so old that I go back to the time when most tractors were 2wd, and everyone who had a tractor had chains for the tires. Nobody used that type of chain.

Might want to go back and read the OP carefully. He's wanting to put chains on turf tires for winter use. Those chains would work fine for that.

 

[rScotty]

Might want to go back and read the OP carefully. He's wanting to put chains on turf tires for winter use. Those chains would work fine for that.

Well... maybe. I admit to some confusion. The photos he posted show a lugged tire on his tractor, so I assumed those are the tires he is using.

What I was referring to is that adv. that shows the discount ladder chains on a variety of lugged tires. It would be nice if the chains stayed in a nice straight line across the tire lugs as shown in the advertising photo, but they don't stay that way. Ladders bend around until they fall into the lug spaces. For small tractor tires an "X" shape rather than a simple ladder works better. The center of the "X" is a larger link or a round ring - both available at hardware stores.

The trick with chains is to make up a pair that fits tightly, and then use one of the various spider bungees to draw them even tighter against the tire. It would be nice if there were still tire shops that made them up for you as used to be common. But not anymore. If you want a good set, I'm afraid you'll have to find an old timer or make them up yourself. Luckily it's simple to do, and one pair lasts a long, long time.
rScotty

 

[BlueKnife]

Well... maybe. I admit to some confusion. The photos he posted show a lugged tire on his tractor, so I assumed those are the tires he is using.

The photos he posted weren't of his tractor. That's why he said,

Sorry I cant upload a photo from my phone, but it looks like this. Google Image Result for https://nebula.wsimg.com/5c6077efdd57c585259137c71d950593?AccessKeyId=F0C8358C393A3324DE23&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

I do about 95 percent of my work on grass, I keep Turfs on the machine. But some of my work includes work in the woods.

 

[rScotty]

Sometimes a thread just drifts as does any conversation. Hopefully some of the value is in the drift - especially when the OP is not following closely. When the thread needs to be specific, we often see the OP continually involved. I think that at this point the OP probably has enough information now to answer his original question. And maybe we have raised some associated tire chain thoughts that we can explore as well.
rScotty

 

[BrokenTrack]

Ring chains can be problematic because they can get too much of a grip. i had a skidder where the guys ran the chains too lose on ring chains, and the tire spun inside the chains that were getting too much bite. That can really damage your tires!

 

[CoyPatton]

I don't think that that type of chain is appropriate for tractors. I'm so old that I go back to the time when most tractors were 2wd, and everyone who had a tractor had chains for the tires. Nobody used that type of chain. You use a diamond pattern that stands above the lugs, not a radial pattern chain that drops down between the lugs. It just doesn't work with ag (R1) or industrial tires (R4). It can't work if it it drops below the lugs.

In fairness, those type of chains are cheap, easy to put on, and easy to modify to fit a tire. I'm sure they work on smooth surface tires like turf (R3) tires or automotive tires. But they don't work on most tractor tires. Use real tractor chains instead and you'll be surprised how well they work.
rScotty

Note the OP stated he primarily uses turf tires and wants to avoid changing to AG tires. Thus using turf tires auto chains might be cheaper solution!

 

[TimberXX]

Note the OP stated he primarily uses turf tires and wants to avoid changing to AG tires. Thus using turf tires auto chains might be cheaper solution!

thanks guys for the responses! I would have never considered a rough ride. I will check out some auto chains.

 

[LouNY]

No where did I see a mention of your tire size,
I did see that you are running turf tires.
Have you looked at atv tire chains in the correct diameter and width.
I would recommend the diamond pattern chains;
ATV Tire Chains | UTV Tire Chains | Free US Shipping
The diamond pattern studded or not will provide the most uniform traction with out the grab-slip of 2 or 4 link spaced chains.
Also most chains in low speed applications do not need to be super tight.
I have not used chains on a walk behind tractor, but I have used them on 2wd, 4wd trucks and tractors and cars and side by sides.

And I have used the old big double ring, 2 and 4 link spaced twisted street chains with and without V bar reinforcement, now I have gone with the square or diamond pattern studded chain for normal everyday use of chains nothing will come close to the traction they provide with a high ride comfort. No one that I know of that has tried them has any desire to go back to conventional chains.

 

[oosik]

When I had a smaller 4WD tractor I used V-bar ladder chains. They provided more than adequate traction on ice & snow. I got front & rear tractor chains at the local tire store - Les Schwab. They were exceedingly heavy chains and not a whole lot of fun to instal. As I remember - both pair together, less than $500.

 

[Ford850]

We used chains on our Gravely year round because it had turf-like tires. The chains were very similar to the 2-Link HD Twisted listed in the links above. They helped a lot for garden work and mud.