Double Ring tire chains

dan_d · Dec 30, 2014

(not sure if this would be better off in the 'tires' forum? but anyways...)
Anyone ever used these?
double ring* tire chains for farm tractors
I'm considering them or duo-grips, which are basically the same price for my 16.9-30's
DUO-Grip tire chains for farm tractors
My biggest concern is the ring cross chain sliding into the tire treads as regular ladder chains do, and obviously the duo-grips won't... but then those rings look alot bigger than regular chain links so maybe they still stick out enough? And as a bonus would the rings would rotate to increase chain life.
I've also read some of the other threads here with people complaining about the on-off-on-off-chain behaviour with the duos causing unnecessary slippage and annoyance, so if anyone wants to chime in on that front i'm all ears

Won't be doing much if any road mileage, just pushing snow with my loader+bucket and putting big round bales out for the horses

Thanks!
Dan

oosik · Dec 30, 2014

Dan,
I've only used the kind called V-bar. They were specifically made for tractors - were VERY heavy - and expensive. They gave exceptional traction on the one area of my mile long gravel driveway where water flooded across and created a skating rink. Being heavy they - at least the rear - were a real bear to instal and made the tractor ride as if I were driving down railroad tracks. Thankfully, now I have a larger tractor with better traction and "that" area of the driveway has a much better ditch and seldom floods across the driveway. Even though the V-bars gave exceptional traction I did not like using them. Very rough ride and the bars tore everything to ribbons.

Properly installed, the chains you speak of should have no more slippage problems than any other type. I'm sure you will notice a distinct traction advantage with the duo-ring chains.

RedNeckRacin · Dec 30, 2014

I have duo v-bars on my front tires. They are alot better than no chain but even after tightening up the patterns, I'm not completely happy with them. I also looked at the double ring chains and because of my hills I immediately crossed them off my list even though they are economical. I run a set of aquiline talons on the rear and I'm very happy with them! They are a bit pricey but the peace of mind is worth it after I went for a ride 2 years ago.

Billrog · Dec 30, 2014

I've not used either stile but by looking at them there is far to much clear space for hills. When I had a 2 wd backhoe I made up a set of v bar with ice chain links in between so every other side link had a cross link for the back tires. Fairly expensive and heavy with all toughs 24" cross links but never once had a mins. trouble on any hill and my place is all hill. BTW I had spacers on the hoe so the chains would fit. Best would probably be skidder chains when all the links are connected with a cheated ring.

deerseeker001 · Dec 30, 2014

I have the double ring chains and I love them no problem with them going off center.

dan_d said:
(not sure if this would be better off in the 'tires' forum? but anyways...)
Anyone ever used these?
double ring* tire chains for farm tractors
I'm considering them or duo-grips, which are basically the same price for my 16.9-30's
DUO-Grip tire chains for farm tractors
My biggest concern is the ring cross chain sliding into the tire treads as regular ladder chains do, and obviously the duo-grips won't... but then those rings look alot bigger than regular chain links so maybe they still stick out enough? And as a bonus would the rings would rotate to increase chain life.
I've also read some of the other threads here with people complaining about the on-off-on-off-chain behaviour with the duos causing unnecessary slippage and annoyance, so if anyone wants to chime in on that front i'm all ears

Won't be doing much if any road mileage, just pushing snow with my loader+bucket and putting big round bales out for the horses

Thanks!
Dan

RickB · Dec 30, 2014

Double ring chains were the gold standard for use with R-1 tires for decades until the duo-grip and other styles came to be more readily available and "must haves". I have a set of DR chains on one tractor and DuoGrips on another because I got them cheap. The two styles are functionally interchangeable IMHO. DuoGrips may ride a little better.

RedNeckRacin · Dec 30, 2014

How are the double rings chains for lateral stability?

RickB · Dec 30, 2014

The rings are round. They don't care whether they grip fore and aft or side to side.

RWK in WI · Dec 30, 2014

I use both double ring and duro-grip chains on tractors in winter. I have modified my double rings so there is a cross chain on every second side link instead on every fourth as they are sold. This means the tractor is always on chain and not bouncing up and down. They are heavy to put on but work great. My euro-grips I have modified so the ends of the cross links are two in each attachment to the side chains making the spacing closer and avoiding the blank space. The double ring as I have them ride smoother and grip better on packed snow and ice.
Just my experience.

skyhook · Dec 31, 2014

I was thinking on welding "nipples" on my duo-grips, just arc weld "spots" on the chain using the welding rod, nothing else, just the rod, I think this would add more traction on ice. Good or bad idea.

When they wear out, re-weld some more.