Do I Dare??

[rScotty]

I am curious what makes putting your chains on such a hassle?

What kind of chains do you have?

I run diamond net chains and for me, on this tractor, it is a less than ten minute effort to do all four; I lay the four chains out in straight lines in front of the wheels, and drive about halfway on. (This keeps me from rolling around on cold or wet surfaces.) Then I latch the inner chain at the tightest, lace up the outside chain and the chain keeper, and then latch, repeat three times. Drive back and forth to check chain tightness and I'm done. Usually, I need to tighten one or two wheels after ten or fifteen minutes of work. I do run at pretty low tire pressures on my R4s for better traction the soils here.

When I take the chains off, I try to store them so when I grab them out of my chain bins (they aren't light), the tire side is up.

Some years, I will put the chains on four or five times in the course of the year, depending on conditions, and because I try really hard never to drive on asphalt with them.

All the best,

Peter

I was wondering the same thing....why is it even a decision to put chains on/off?

It should eventually be easy to mount chains - although I do remember that until I get a set of chains fitted well, it is a hassle to change them.

I always use diamond pattern or connected ladders. Anything to keep the links up out of the treads, or at least out of some of the treads.
On our little - under 25 hp tractors - which always need to need chains the most, I would make chain sets out of old automotive or school bus chains. Making them to fit nicely to the tire so that no rubber tensioners were required. Part of getting rid of tensioners was going to over-center connectors on the chain, so that the connector had enough leverage and tension to make the chains fit nicely as they latch the chains into position. Then a twist of tie wire to insure the over center latch stays in place.

I guess what I am saying is that this is a good time to make the chains fit better so that the mounting problem goes away.

If I am in loose dirt or sandy dirt with turf tires I'll sometimes run chains year round.
rScotty

 

[oosik]

Six winters ago I plowed snow off my mile long driveway. Three days later - BOY, did I ever feel the fool. 95% had melted. I have not had to plow snow off the driveway since.

It's been more than six years since I've had six or more inches on the ground.

I'm just not in the mood to fight chains onto the M6040. If we get more than I can move with the M6040 - Just wait it out. History shows it will be all melted in less than a week.

Besides - I have sufficient supplies to last over two months. I'm retired. No need to be any place at any time.

 

[bigtiller]

I decided to take the gamble. I pulled up all my driveway markers today in 90° weather.

I'm leaving the snowblower on just incase we have another April 9, 1973 blizzard.

 

[bdhsfz6]

We got almost a foot of snow last weekend and it got down below zero on Monday. Right now it is 76 (Sat). Go figger... I was going to say much the same thing the OP did on how heavy they are to put on. I have gone the same way and only put fronts on most years as those are much smaller/lighter and it typically works just fine. Except for snows like we just had where it was icy too. The back end was sliding around a lot which gives you that very unpleasant feeling in your gut. R4s are garbage in the snow. Putting on the rear chains is brutal so I avoid it as much as I can. But I could have used them last weekend... I'll probably pull the rotary broom and chains in the next week or so.

I have R4's on the rear as well. As you say, front only chains work most of the time but not always. For some storm conditions, when the R4's won't cut it, I put the spreader on the 3pt for ballast and I can spread anti skid if I get stuck. For severe conditions, I put the BH on for extra weight. I can always use it to crab my way out if I get stuck.

 

[Jstpssng]

I always wonder how much extra strain you put on the front differential when running chains on front only.

Yet I've never heard of anybody taking out those gears that way.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I always wonder how much extra strain you put on the front differential when running chains on front only.

Yet I've never heard of anybody taking out those gears that way.

I've often wondered the same thing.
Never had a problem though in 40 years with 7 different Kubota tractors.
No guarantee I won't bust something with the next storm though.

 

[dstig1]

Every now and then I take it out of 4wd in the winter as I think it is "not that bad" and within 5 seconds I am spinning wheels. So I put it back in 4wd (with only front chains) and back to good again. I won't leave it in 4wd on dry surfaces which could be very bad to those front gears. Been doing this without issue for several years now, though not as long as bdhsfz6

What I want to know is who these folks are that say putting chains on is no big deal. Are you Paul Bunyan? The fronts aren't too bad but the rears are so freaking heavy they are brutal to get on, which is why I avoid them now.