Traction Chains up front

[RayCo]

For about the fifth time so far this winter, I spent most of the day removing snow from my driveway, :thumbsup:, with my BX24. Traction is acceptable with the R4 tires, but steering is another story. Would chains on the front wheels help considerably in steering? I only have experience with chains on the back of a RWD tractor, and they were fantastic. Would it be worth the effort and money to put chains on the front of my tractor to help with steering in the snow?

 

[David s Von Gieserbrechta]

In a word "YES".

 

[easygo]

Chains will transform your tractor into a whole different machine in the snow. I would say get all four chained up and be ready say WOW.

 

[RoyJackson]

If your Kubota has steering brakes, learn to use 'em.

 

[RayCo]

If your Kubota has steering brakes, learn to use 'em.

It doesn't, sadly.

 

[Country1]

A lot of people feel that chains on the front causes too much stress on the front drive line. Some say it doesn't...

I'm thinking about trying it....:thumbsup:

 

[RayCo]

I just got my driveway paved three months ago, so I'm babying it, which is what will probably make me just keep putting up with the inability to steer.

 

[escavader]

RAY ,
Ijust picked up a set for my bx ,just for the reason you said .They are atv chains ive cut them down to fit mine.Aint on yet cause i had to ordertightners ,bungees wouldnt keep them tight enough [equally]and they would hit on the inside in places.Gonna install this weekend
ALAN

 

[bstrom]

If your Kubota has steering brakes, learn to use 'em.

I've given up trying to use the steering brakes on my B2620. They are on the same side as the hydro pedal. I've tried my toe on the brake and heel on the hydro, crossing my legs, cruise control ( almost ran a mailbox over). I've got a loader mounted plow blade this year and I'm thinking of getting front chains along with my rear chains now myself because it is definitely hard to steer. More money, sigh.

 

[KBL3830]

Get the chains!!! I've had chains on all four for four years and you won't believe the difference, as for strain on the front drive I don't see how it would be any more than driving on irregular surfaces with the a fully loaded FEL. Steering brakes also help but for some reason Kubota puts them on the left where they're pretty useless. I use front chains on my old RWD Case 580 and even there they make a huge difference.

 

[RayCo]

I was flat out amazed at the difference that chains on my old RWD tractor made, so with that, and the advice here, I probably will wind up getting some front chains. I am a bit worried about my new driveway, but I have about 1000 feet of gravel that I plow as well. So, I could always just use the chains there where I need them more anyway.

 

[First one]

I've given up trying to use the steering brakes on my B2620. They are on the same side as the hydro pedal. I've tried my toe on the brake and heel on the hydro, crossing my legs, cruise control ( almost ran a mailbox over). I've got a loader mounted plow blade this year and I'm thinking of getting front chains along with my rear chains now myself because it is definitely hard to steer. More money, sigh.

Don't give up trying to steer using your brakes. You just have to learn to use your left foot for the brakes and keep your right foot on the hydro.
Once you get the hang of it you"ll use them all the time.:thumbsup:
The trick is to be able to use your left foot ( or toes )on which side of the brakes you want to go. Left side brake to go left and right side to go right. If I'd try to do both with the same foot I'd have it up a tree. You can almost spin your tractor around in the same spot by pushing down hard on one side or the other.Give it more time and save the money, or at least a few more day

 

[forby]

A friend of mine was on the phone with Kubota yesterday. He's buying a B series and had a bunch of questions. He asked about my BX and chains. The answer was that Kubota hasn't tested it with front chains and therefore can not recommend it. Rears are OK.

Also any type of front weight while a plow is on was discouraged.

Is this the accounting dept writing the rules or is this machine really that fragile?

Has anyone run front chains for a long time without problems?

 

[chopped]

There seems to be allot of independent research done on here, and the consensus is not to use front tire chains.Due to pre-mature bearing wear and possibly axle breakage.

 

[David s Von Gieserbrechta]

Not knocking Kubota here because I have one and really like it But. I don't think that Kubota does a lot of REAL field testing on their products, at least not under severe conditions, ie. Plastic fenders , hoods and lubricants at -35 or -40c. At these temps a lot of things can go wrong on any machine, like seals and such so it's a judgment call.

Some of us up here in the Great White North could teach Kubota a lot about what NOT to put on a tractor and what needs to be improved. The front end is one of them. I have chains on all fours and have not had any problems but like anything else "yuh pays your money and Yuh takes your chances".

As for chains on a paved driveway, I don't think so. When I bush my Kubota into a snowbank with FWD it just digs holes untill it finds something and those holes can be six inches deep on frozen ground, (seriously) but then again I have chains on all fours plus 550 pounds of rear wheel weights (cast iron) and 200+ pounds of front weight (lead), that coupled with the front end loader and a Farm King Buhler Allied blower something has got to give.

Most of the time it's the snow but sometimes it's the frozen driveway and the snow, but something has got to give and it ain't gonna be me.

 

[srs]

Some of us up here in the Great White North could teach Kubota a lot about what NOT to put on a tractor and what needs to be improved. The front end is one of them.

David, just curious but what suggestions do you have?

 

[wpabx2230]

It's too bad Kubota won't give a yes or no on the front chains. My friend has a MF the same size as my bx. He asked MF last year about front chains. They told him it would be fine.

Does anyone make chains that will fit without cutting the cross links?

 

[David s Von Gieserbrechta]

It's too bad Kubota won't give a yes or no on the front chains. My friend has a MF the same size as my bx. He asked MF last year about front chains. They told him it would be fine.

Does anyone make chains that will fit without cutting the cross links?

Yes Allis does market these chains for the rear wheels on their little ten horse garden tractors. Thats what I used on the front of my bx, the width was just fine and all I had to do was remove one section of side chain which included the one section of cross link to shorten it down. Perfect fit with two link spacing. The chains that I put on where well over twenty five years old and still showed very little wear unlike the four link Chinese chains that I have on the rear and I bought last fall.

 

[bstrom]

I'm just wondering on this front chain thing, with chains on all four wheels has anybody actually damaged their front axle or prematurely worn out any parts on it? I guess I'm talking using common sense and on snow or ice, maybe gravel or dirt.

Also has anybody run all 4 wheels with chains for several years on their tractor for plowing snow without a problem?

 

[bstrom]

Just ordered front chains. I'm trying to give the economy some momentum as well as the front end of my tractor. :thumbsup: