Home-made tire chains...

Sprockmonster · Mar 18, 2014

I was wondering if anyone has made their own tire chains, and/or if they ended up being cheaper than real chains. Would they even work well??

George2615 · Mar 18, 2014

If I had not found a set of chains on clearance at Tractor Supply store I was considering buying the material (mainly the cross links) and making my own chains. Side chain is available by the foot in most box stores. I've made my own before but at the time I worked in a shop that had the proper tool. You can use a hammer and chisel to spread the cross link ends and then hammer them closed but a 33" chain crimper / spreader tool would speed the process and that would have added about $100 to the cost. Check your local Tractor Supply Store for clearance items. Three TSC stores within 40 miles of me all had chains on clearance sale. The one I went to had two sets of different size tractor chains. I bought a set made for 13.6x28 or 14.9x24. My tires are 43x16.00-20 so I had to cut off 3 cross links with a set of bolt cutters to shorten them to the right size. Now I have 6 spare cross links in case one breaks. I got my set of Peerless chains for under $175.00. The cross links are at least 3/8" or larger. To answer your question, if you can buy the side chain in bulk and cross links you want at the right price then it would be cheaper to build your own.

Sprockmonster · Mar 18, 2014

George2615 said:
If I had not found a set of chains on clearance at Tractor Supply store I was considering buying the material (mainly the cross links) and making my own chains. Side chain is available by the foot in most box stores. I've made my own before but at the time I worked in a shop that had the proper tool. You can use a hammer and chisel to spread the cross link ends and then hammer them closed but a 33" chain crimper / spreader tool would speed the process and that would have added about $100 to the cost. Check your local Tractor Supply Store for clearance items. Three TSC stores within 40 miles of me all had chains on clearance sale. The one I went to had two sets of different size tractor chains. I bought a set made for 13.6x28 or 14.9x24. My tires are 43x16.00-20 so I had to cut off 3 cross links with a set of bolt cutters to shorten them to the right size. Now I have 6 spare cross links in case one breaks. I got my set of Peerless chains for under $175.00. The cross links are at least 3/8" or larger. To answer your question, if you can buy the side chain in bulk and cross links you want at the right price then it would be cheaper to build your own.

Could a welder and plasma cutter help speed this process?

I'll check my local TSCs...

deerseeker001 · Mar 18, 2014

I bought my 14.9x 24 on Craigslist.they are the double ring Chains.they were 150.00

George2615 · Mar 18, 2014

I have two welders and no plasma cutter but these tools are not too useful making chains. You need to be able to spread the cross bar hooks apart to get them on the side chain then crimp them down so they don't come off. Ready made cross links are available online. You just need to measure across the width of you tires and down the sides. If I were to buy ready made cross chains I'd measure the tire width and add 6" (3" down on each side of the tire) for tractor rear tires. Then you need to figure how many cross links you need for each tire. That number will vary depending if you want 2 or 4 link spacing. Making your own chains is very cost effective if you are using V bar cross links since they cost more. What may cost 600-800 a set (depending on brand / make of chains) could be built for under 400. The ones I got at TSC are not V bar but are what is called road chains. Most road chain sets can be bought over counter or ordered for about 350 a set depending on tire size. Some states won't let you use V bar chains on the highways.
You should be able to check TSC on line for chains. That's how I found mine.

George2615 · Mar 18, 2014

deerseeker001 said:
I bought my 14.9x 24 on Craigslist.they are the double ring Chains.they were 150.00

I've been watching CL for a while. There were a few sets listed but when I'd call they couldn't recall the size tire or tractor they were on. The ones that did list what they fit had a size that was too small. The ones I did go to look at were real thin chain. I think they were for tractor trailer tires and not for tractors. Your 14.9 x 24's are big tires. I had to cut off about 2 feet of the chains I bought to fit my 43 x 16-20's

deerseeker001 · Mar 18, 2014

I bought my tractor on Craigslist a International 2500 with loader.I checked Craigslist all day long for months till i found the tractor I wanted and called right away and got directions and went to pick it up.lots of people wanted it but I got there first,have to move quick.

chopped · Mar 18, 2014

Not sure if this helps but i found this site to be good for a few crosslinks I added.
Ive selected the size tire and rim thta was mentioned above. but it might be different.
Also I have the double ring one. since 1980 and no troubles with them I paid just under 200 back then from a dealer. So the prices really aren't that bad.
14.9-24 Tractor Tire Chains

George2615 · Mar 18, 2014

chopped said:
Not sure if this helps but i found this site to be good for a few crosslinks I added.
Ive selected the size tire and rim thta was mentioned above. but it might be different.
Also I have the double ring one. since 1980 and no troubles with them I paid just under 200 back then from a dealer. So the prices really aren't that bad.
14.9-24 Tractor Tire Chains

That's where I'd have bought mine if TSC didn't have what I could use.