Chains: Front or back?

[CobyRupert]

I'm sure this has been discussed, but couldn't find.

Are tire chains best on front or rear tires?

I use FEL to push and scoop heavy snow that falls off the roof of the barn. The way the layout is, I'm pushing or scooping on a side slope, that's usually vey icy, and turning and taking the snow down the slope to push over a bank. A downhill trap.
Today it was almost impossible to not slide sideway on the ice, or turn (especially if I had lifted FEL with heavy snow). Plus the rear is a bit light with a loaded bucket.
Yes, more ballast would of helped. Tires are loaded (I think 750lbs ea), plus a 470 lb skidding winch on 3 pth (should of bought the 795 lb next size bigger!).
But, if you have to add one set, where would they be?

Same for my four-wheeler Polaris 700 ATV with plow. Where would you put one set of chains.

In both cases it seems chains on back wouldn't be worthwhile without weight.

 

[Rustyiron]

I have "ice chains" on the front because that's what a buddy found for $300 on CL:laughing: The rear "ice chains" are $1400!! Traction wise, on packed snow/ice I'm fine. I think I'll settle for some 2 link regular "ladder" type chains for the rear, much easier on the wallet. The front chains give you good pulling & steering especially with a load in the bucket. I'd be leaning for all 4 on the ATV, they should be a lot less $$.

 

[Harvey9]

There's been loads of discussion on this topic, many let not run chains alone on the front, others do and that works for them. I run chains on the rear only, and that works for me. Rear chains will cost more and they weigh more, so more work to install. Chains make a big difference.

 

[jgayman]

I'm sure this has been discussed, but couldn't find.

Are tire chains best on front or rear tires?

Yes! (both)

 

[vtsnowedin]

Chain up the loaded rears first then add chains to the front if you still need them. The weight on the rears helps the chains bite into the ice. Even brand new not on sale rear ice chains are worth the price. You only need to slide into something you can't afford to hit once to spend way more then that.

 

[Ed of all trades]

I run chains on both because if I don't I end up with the front end not turning when I want or turning when I don't want it to. I tried plowing the last snow, about 14" and had to call a neighbor to pull me out and went down over the side of the fill because I just had chains on the rear. I don't think either would have happened if I had put the front chains on too. They are calling for more this weekend and I put the front chains on today.

 

[thatguy]

I ran into the same thing with a neighbors driveway that slopes away.. I ended up using the rear brakes to help steer, the front tire just kept sliding and had no traction

 

[vtsnowedin]

I ran into the same thing with a neighbors driveway that slopes away.. I ended up using the rear brakes to help steer, the front tire just kept sliding and had no traction

I use the split breaks to help steer quite a bit while plowing. My neighbor has a Kubota L2800 hydrostatic. Even though it has split brakes you can't use them to steer as they are on the same side and in front of the go pedal. She needs chains all around and to get her rears loaded. I told her her problem was she didn't have enough mass in her *****.

 

[RickB]

Gosh, reading all this makes me wonder how I ever plowed snow for the last 40+ years with a two wheel drive tractor. Rear chains only for me!

 

[vtsnowedin]

Gosh, reading all this makes me wonder how I ever plowed snow for the last 40+ years with a two wheel drive tractor. Rear chains only for me!

Been there and done that.
The same tractor in four wheel drive is a whole different level of ability especially when your off hard roads in the woods etc. Having had a four wheel drive tractor I would never buy another two wheeled drive unless it was a second or third machine in a line up with haying to do or the like.