Chains on non drive tires???

JB4310 · Jan 3, 2012

Any thought on light chains or cables on the non drive front tires of my garden tractor? I have good traction due to weights and chains on the rear, but the front end gets pushed around when plowing.

I even thought of putting suitcase weights on the front to help, haven't tried it in snow yet.

Also just made a supplemental rear weight that slips in a receiver hitch.

???

Sorry for cell phone pix quality.

JB

RoyJackson · Jan 3, 2012

JB4310 said:
Any thought on light chains or cables on the non drive front tires of my garden tractor? I have good traction due to weights and chains on the rear, but the front end gets pushed around when plowing.

I even thought of putting suitcase weights on the front to help, haven't tried it in snow yet.

Also just made a supplemental rear weight that slips in a receiver hitch.

???

Sorry for cell phone pix quality.

JB

I'd try the weights added to the plow first and see if that helps.

slowzuki · Jan 3, 2012

I used to run front chains on a garden tractor with a plow. Helped a bunch for steering.

JB4310 · Jan 3, 2012

slowzuki said:
I used to run front chains on a garden tractor with a plow. Helped a bunch for steering.

Good to hear.
Not sure if this subject has been discussed before or not.
But I thought it might be a nutty idea, don't remember seeing chains on non drive tires before.

I will leave those weights on as well, just have to find some cheap light chains.

JB

preacher01 · Jan 10, 2012

I agree with Slowzuki. The chains on your fronts definitely help with the steering. Your frontend doesn't push sideways so easy with them on. It can't hurt to put them on and try.:thumbsup: Good luck!

Jay4200 · Jan 13, 2012

JB4310 said:
Any thought on light chains or cables on the non drive front tires of my garden tractor? I have good traction due to weights and chains on the rear, but the front end gets pushed around when plowing.

I don't use front chains on mine when running a blower, and it doesn't steer worth a dang. I would think a tractor would be useless for plowing without something on the fronts.

I've seen some setups with a single piece of chain that wraps around the circumference of the tire, making a center rib out of chain.

JayC