Chains Chains on the front and rear!

[JimMorrissey]

I just put my new chains on the BX this evening....what a pain in the &%$ It took a loooong time to get them straight and tight, which they still aren't. My initial finding is that the front tires can't keep up with the grip of the rears now. I got the two link V-bar, cuz I'm on a long dirt dive with a pretty good hill. The fronts just slide and have a hard time keeping the machine in line. I guess it's back to tirechains.com (great service) for a front set. It will be an animal with a full set of chains though Blower works fantastic. I'll use it for anything over 1/2 inch.

 

[Bob_Trevithick]

Do you have FWD? Are you using heavy rear weights that might be unloading the front tires? I would think that with a front blower, you'd have plenty of weight on the front wheels, but who knows? What are you running?

 

[Charliebrn]

One trick I learned as a kid was to partially deflate the tires before you put the chains on. After the chains are on and snug, re-inflate the tires to normal pressure, and voila! Nice, tight chains.....

Kindly let us know how much the front chains were. Are you running turfs or R4s?

 

[rbargeron]

I've run chains on both front and rear for years - ever since my sloped driveway got paved. Nothing puts a tractor out of business like a glaze of ice on smooth pavement.

I should admit that I have a two-post clear-floor auto lift in my barn - which makes everything easy, from oil changes on my fleet to putting the chains on my tractor. Don't know what I did without it. (actually I do know - rolled around in the dirt for years)

 

[gerard]

Jim, I found the easiest way to put on the chains is to jack the rear of the tractor up so both wheels are off the ground, hook the chain around a lug and spin the tire. Garvity keeps tension on the chain and it falls evenly over the tire until both ends are hanging down. Then you can make final adjustments without having the weight of the tractor keeping one secion of chain immobile and jockeying back and forth.

 

[Boondox]

I was amazed at what a difference loading the front tires made on my L3010! Last winter, when they were loaded, I had much better traction up front without chains. Had a couple of flats last summer and never bothered to get them reloaded. The front end is sliding this winter.

Pete

 

[JimMorrissey]

Bob, I've got a 52" rear blower on the back end. It lighten up the front a bit. I took off the loader because it soooo much easier to manuver in tight places. I really believe the solution is to get a second set of chains.

 

[JimMorrissey]

Pete, The front tires on the BX are pretty small. I'm not sure loading them would amount to a whole lot?....couldn't hurt though......

 

[Bob_Trevithick]

<font color=blue>...I really believe the solution is to get a second set of chains.</font color=blue>

Well, that would be one solution. I would think that hanging some weights on the front would be better, though. You can remove them when you don't need. I read somewhere that I should not use chains on my front tires.. don't have the manual with me so not sure if that's where I read this.

A light front end certainly would cause your problems.

 

[JimMorrissey]

Charlie, The chains were from tirechains.com They run around $115.00 delivered. I've got to check on the tire size for the front....they're just little guys.

BTW...I did jack the rear end of the machine up. It helped, but it was a still a big hassle. I like the idea of deflating the tire a bit, then inflating for a tight fit.

 

[Boondox]

Hmmm, I haven't seen a BX yet. But you're right. If the tires are too small the weight added would be minimal. Clementine's front shoes filled, however, weigh a lot! I think that was one reason I didn't get them refilled; empty tires are easier to handle. Looks like I'm paying the price for my laziness this winter, though.

Pete

 

[Boondox]

I had chains on all four corners when I had my little B1750. Made a world of difference on that tractor. If the owners' manual doesn't warn against it, I'd go for it.

Pete

 

[JimMorrissey]

Bob,

I was paying more attention to the dynamics of the situation last night while blowing some snow. It does appear that the front is very light due to the lack of a front end loader, loaded tires or weights of any kind. I need to figure something out.

 

[Bob_Trevithick]

<font color=blue>...It does appear that the front is very light...</font color=blue>

Do you have a handy spot on the front to hang suitcase weights? Does the manual for the blower suggest an appropriate counterweight value? I hear that such manuals often do tell you how much counterweight you need...

Let us know how you make out!