BX2660 and rear chain installation

psvines · Jan 9, 2010

First time for me installing chains on the rear wheels.
Bought a pair from tirechains.com.
I laid the chains out carefully on the garage floor behind the Bota and then rolled it backwards to the middle of the chains. I attempted to then wrap the wheel with the chain, eventually got it done but it was quite difficult to get evenly spaced and there is not a lot of clearance for the arm and hand to reach the back side of the wheel.
So, for the other wheel, I jacked up the rear of the Bota so the wheel spun freely. It was MUCH easier to wrap the chains around the wheel, while slowly turning the wheel.

beenthere · Jan 9, 2010

Didn't take you long to figure out the better way to do it. Now trim the inside side chain so there are no loose links, and after cinching up the outside side chain, trim off all but two links (use those to mount the chains again).
How about a pic?

Evil the Weasel · Jan 9, 2010

On my previous tractor, I'd let some air out of the rear tires to make things easier. Yes, they fit that tight.

Usta · Jan 9, 2010

Appreciate the tip about raising the rear tires. The dealer delivered my tractor last winter with the chains installed. This winter when I put the chains on it seemed like I struggled for an hour. Sure wish there was enough room to reach over the tires.

beenthere · Jan 9, 2010

Another handy thing is to have a 3' stick with a hook in the end.
Jack the tire off the ground (so the tire will spin freely). Drape the chains over the tire with open end down. Take out the kinks and lay the cross links out smoothly. Reach under with the hook and drag the end of the inside side chain closer, then hook the inside together (if fitted right, this would be the end link).

Then use a bungie cord to bring the outside side chains as close as possible. Spin the tire to get the chains to lay evenly spaced. Take out any twists and pull the cross chains to the outside. The slack should allow the outside fastener to be hooked. Spin the tire some more and work more slack out as you go around, pulling the outside chain as you go (at the fastener). Should be able to fasten in the final link (for me, that would be leaving two links free to flop on the outside). No links free to flop on the inside.

Just the way that works good for me, for what its worth. And the chains end up tight with no further fuss (like airing up the tire or putting springs and bungies on to take up slack).

MikeInEburg · Jan 10, 2010

I drive over mine to install - however I don't try and have ends meet at the top. Instead, I have them meet halfway up the rear of the tire where there is much better access.
Mike