Best chains for DK40SE

[finspop]

Hello everyone,

I recently purchased a gently used DK40SE. I love the tractor, but will be needing chains by the time the snow falls. Living in the hills of northern VT and spending a lot of time in the woods pulling saw logs, I really want a pair of the Aquiline studded ice chains for ultimate traction. However, I've been warned by the manufacturer that I don't have quite enough fender clearance; they say I need 3" and I've got about 2.5.

Does anyone have experience with this tractor these chains on this tractor (r4 tires)? Do I really need the full 3-inches of clearance? Or is there another brand that doesn't require as much clearance?

Any insight much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[toddbiss]

I have those chains on my CK20 and they are the best chains I have bought. Not sure about the 3 inches though that seems like a lot. With the binders on both sides they don't move very much.

 

[krazsk]

Can't you adjust the wheel width by unbolting the wheel and either flipping them or moving the mounting plate? (I can on my DK50SE) Or are you talking about clearance to the top and not to the side?

 

[finspop]

Sorry, should have been more clear. I'm talking about top of tire to edge of fender. It does seem as if 3-inches is a bit excessive, but I know these chains are supposed to work best with some slack, which would necessitate a bit more clearance.

What other chains are folks using with these machines? Any other recommendations?

Thanks

 

[bullopa]

Hey Finspop, I have a DK40SE too so I wanted to get in on this thread to see what the answers might be. Had chains on my old tractor and couldn't believe how much difference it made. Hope we find out.

 

[whistlepig]

I have Aquiline Talons on my Kubota. It has 3 1/4" clearance between the top of the tire and fender. I don't have any issues with clearance. But I do like my chains snug on the tire and have spring tensioners on my chains.

 

[Coyote machine]

I'm in VT too. Hope we see some snow next winter. I'd get, in addition to a set of chains a winch and possibly a log grapple too. Both mine are Igland: Mod 4001 winch, and GR-20 log grapple, from Finlandia, or some place in that neck of the woods. I do a fair amount of woods work too, and believe you will find these tools very useful on a DK-40. I know I have.:cool2: I've debated chains, but will probably get some this coming winter too.
Let us know what you decide to get.

 

[finspop]

Hey there, Coyote Machine. Yeah, we need a real winter again. I have the Igland 4501 winch; perhaps a size too big for the DK40, but it's a left over from my old tractor and the DK seems to handle it just fine, anyway. No grapple yet, just using forks to load my sawmill. Works pretty good, but I would love a grapple someday.

I have a set of double ring chains from my old tractor, but they would need to be cut down, and I'm pretty sure there definitely is NOT enough clearance for them on the DK. I'm leaning toward the Aquiline chains and risking that I might not have quite enough clearance and ding up the fenders.

Still would love to hear from others who have more experience with chains on this little brute of a tractor.

 

[Coyote machine]

Hey there, Coyote Machine. Yeah, we need a real winter again. I have the Igland 4501 winch; perhaps a size too big for the DK40, but it's a left over from my old tractor and the DK seems to handle it just fine, anyway. No grapple yet, just using forks to load my sawmill. Works pretty good, but I would love a grapple someday.

I have a set of double ring chains from my old tractor, but they would need to be cut down, and I'm pretty sure there definitely is NOT enough clearance for them on the DK. I'm leaning toward the Aquiline chains and risking that I might not have quite enough clearance and ding up the fenders.

Still would love to hear from others who have more experience with chains on this little brute of a tractor.

Can you contact the company and discuss the concerns you have about fitment on your DK? Maybe they can come up with a solution or tell you its not going to be a problem?

 

[vtsnowedin]

Is there any possibility of moving the fenders up further away from the axle centers? Perhaps a two inch piece of steel drilled both sides with whatever pattern the fenders are attached now.

 

[finspop]

Coyote Machine, I did ask, but they were very non-committal. They don't want me blaming them if there's any damage.

Vtsnowedin, good idea. I'll see what that would take. I don't want to push 'em out too much, because I'm in the woods a lot and the further they're hanging out, the more likely they'll get damaged... I put a small crease in one of them yesterday, actually. Of course, they are just fenders, and it is just a tractor, after all.

 

[Kioti Tom]

Don't have to move tires out, raise the fender I think he was saying. I did that on my 8N to give me a little more clearance when I had a larger tire on the rears. Got tired of the lugs hitting my fingers, I usually grabbed the fender edge when I turned around to check behind me. It worked!:thumbsup: It never hurts to check at least.

Tom

 

[finspop]

Right, now I see that he did say "up."

Makes sense. I'll check on that. Moving them out, so that the fender lip is beyond the outer edge of the tire, definitely won't work. I have my wheels set wide (essential for our hilly property), and I'd have to move them out about 6-inches. Ain't gonna happen.

But up... up might work.

 

[whistlepig]

I called Aquiline before I ordered my chains. They recommend 5" clearance between the top of the tire and fender for their chains. I only have 3 1/4". I like my chains snug. Some folks like their chains a little loose. I think if I did a lot of travelling in high gear on the road my 3 1/4" clearance would be a problem. But I only use the chains when clearing our 800' gravel driveway and around the outbuildings. Not saying the Aquiline's would work on your tractor cause tractors are different. Just sharing my experience.

 

[vtsnowedin]

Yes I did say "up". It would be very hard if not impossible to move a tire out far enough so the inside side chain was not directly under the the flat top of the fender. Not my original idea, I got it from one of the JD dealers I shopped with that said they often set fenders higher to get clearance for both chains and over-sized tires. Just passing that on to you here.

 

[finspop]

I did look at the possibility of moving them up; it would require a lot of modifying. Many holes to be drilled, etc, etc. Probably more than I want to get into.

Still looking at options, still seeking advice. Any dealers have experience with chains on this tractor?

Thanks to everyone for all the help.

 

[vtsnowedin]

I was looking at my new tractor today at the dealers shop. They are still hooking up the third function hoses to the second rear scv and haven't moved the tires out or loaded them yet. I have about four inches between the top of the new R1s and the flat top of the fender and an inch less on the curled down edge that will be over the middle of the tire as I'm going to have them set it. If it bothers I'll get that edge cut off cleanly and add a rubber extension. Reading the owners manual online from a link given to me by a member here I find that they say not to put chains on the front of a 5045E as they will strike and damage the tractor. I checked out that possibility today. As the tractor now sets with narrow (as shipped) front end if you turned the wheels sharp and dropped the loader bucket into a hole you might get the arm pistons to rest on the front tire tread. With chains on and a turning tire that would not be good. As I'm having them set out and don't plan on digging any deep holes with chains on I think I can avoid any such clashes but I'll have to try it out to learn what limitations I have.

 

[finspop]

vtsnowedin, that's what I'm starting to think... I'm gonna cut the fenders and put some sort of rubber gasket/strip along the cut edge. That way, I can run whatever chains I want without having to worry about it.