Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Snow chain questions

[Pks]

We measured his tire clearance space (distance from sidewall to nearest hard object) and saw that his was smaller than mine.

Then we placed his chains on my tire and saw that there is plenty of clearance space between the chain and the frame. I think this will work without adding a wheel spacer. Swapping tires right to left won't work. I guess the only thing for me to watch for is how far down the sidewalls do the chains go. The farther down, the smaller the clearance.

I wonder if I could ask my local dealer to get the chains and if they don't fit well enough, they could take them back and sell them to someone who CAN use them?

 

[RoyJackson]

We measured his tire clearance space (distance from sidewall to nearest hard object) and saw that his was smaller than mine.

Then we placed his chains on my tire and saw that there is plenty of clearance space between the chain and the frame. I think this will work without adding a wheel spacer. Swapping tires right to left won't work. I guess the only thing for me to watch for is how far down the sidewalls do the chains go. The farther down, the smaller the clearance.

I wonder if I could ask my local dealer to get the chains and if they don't fit well enough, they could take them back and sell them to someone who CAN use them?

I really doubt your dealer would do the chains swap...can't hurt to ask though!
You should ask your neighbor where he got his chains. If those chains work for him, they should work for you.

 

[Pks]

My neighbor made his chains from a set that came off an old 1970's era school bus. He has modified them through the years to fit 3 different tractors.

I wonder if the same size chains would work if they were truck chains instead of tractor chains? That might give me more sidewall clearance...

 

[RoyJackson]

I wonder if the same size chains would work if they were truck chains instead of tractor chains? That might give me more sidewall clearance...

I don't think the links on truck chains are as thick (steel diameter) or the links are as large as those for tractors.
If you are handy (or your neighbor is willing to help), truck chains may be your best bet...