snow chains for PT1430

[farm23]

I have used studs in my 26x12x12 tires on my 1430 but it looks like I will need something more this winter. I tried to do a search but did not come up with an answer. Has anyone found chains that will work with our limited clearance between the tire and tub?

 

[ponytug]

Ken did the original install, and I used his brand of chains and love them. There are write ups in the forum, but also on Ken's site:
Pt1850_Chains

All the best, Peter

 

[jfh28]

I've found chains to be a necessity.....as soon as any amount of snow builds up on the plow I'll start to crab without them......My clearance problem wasn't so much from tire to body but tire to top of wheel fender......I also have bar tires which probably reduces the clearance even more......I got mine at Tire Chains-Best Snow Chains-TireChains.com sorry but its been so long ago that I don't remember the exact model but they are fairly basic with just the spring tensioners on the sides.....I only have them on the rear tires.......Jack

 

[farm23]

Thanks for the replies. I checked on the web site Ken made reference to and they told me they did not now carry Norway chains and all of their present line required at least 3" of clearance. I will check Tire Chains.com. I also have bar tires and I called Power Trac and Terry said they have never put chains on their tractors.

 

[SpringHollow]

might check this site: 24x11x8/9/1, 25x11x8/1, 25x12x9, 25x13x9, 24x11.5, 25x12x1, 25x8x12, 25x1x1, 26x8x12/14, 26x9x12/14 Super Stud Diamond Pattern ATV Tire Chains

Ken

 

[AVIVIII]

I just ordered 2 pairs of these:



At ~$85 /pair they seemed like a decent option. No spikes and no webbing, but I have used this type of chain for years on other applications and never had a problem, besides adding some springs or bungee cord to keep them tight. I am a little worried about the clearance, but we'll see. It wouldn't be too hard to make some wheel spacers either. Obviously the 1850 has stud-length to spare, but I'll let you guys know when I see them.

 

[jfh28]

those look very similar to what I have......I will warn you that with bar tires my experience has been that you can never get them tight......there's always a bar interfering right were a chain row is so I just get them as good as I can and accept that there will be a clickety-clack.......lol......I originally got the bar tires thinking they would provide more traction versus the turf tires but after having them I'm not sure it really makes a difference on these machines....especially the smaller models......I'll stall or because of the center pivot I'll crab long before I'll lose traction........Jack

 

[BobRip]

I find the bar tires are much better in snow than the turf tires.

 

[ponytug]

Just bear in mind that bar chains are great for forward drive, but are almost worse for side slip. You might consider getting a chain tool to get those puppies tight. It’s tough to get enough leverage normally.

If they don’t work out, tirechain.com has studded and non-studded net chains. They don’t seem to make the European style net chains in your tire size. (26x12-12)

All the best,

Peter

 

[MossRoad]

I think my turf tires do better in snow on flat pavement and flat ground than my bar R4s did on other machines. However, I find my turfs tend to crab sideways very easily in snow on even a slight slope. So they're good at gripping forward and backward but not holding on the sides like R4s.

 

[jfh28]

plowing snow up hill without chains the bars will crab easily too.....once the chains are on I'm fine......unless its a wet heavy snow then I'll crab even with chains.......I think its got more to do with our center pivot point and angling the blade so the weight is being applied at an angle.....if I keep the blade straight the crabbing lessens but then once the snow builds up in front of me I stall out........Jack

 

[MossRoad]

plowing snow up hill without chains the bars will crab easily too.....once the chains are on I'm fine......unless its a wet heavy snow then I'll crab even with chains.......I think its got more to do with our center pivot point and angling the blade so the weight is being applied at an angle.....if I keep the blade straight the crabbing lessens but then once the snow builds up in front of me I stall out........Jack

Good points. My driveway is laser straight and table top flat, asphalt. The neighbor's is gravel and grass, with slight bank leaning towards my driveway. I do his as well as mine because he does part of my lawn in summer. :thumbsup:

 

[MossRoad]

Anyone ever take their PT out in the snow with the blade raised up over the snow just to see how deep of snow it will go through? I take mine out through the yard and drive all the way around the 1 acre to make a cross-country ski path once in a while. I've never gotten stuck. Always been able to move forward. Most was about 22" deep. Not bad for what, about 7" of ground clearance. :laughing:

It was light, powdery snow, though.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Not to be a dck but I would sent back those chaines and get diamond pattern. Bar chains slip to easily into the grooves of the bar tires and do no good. I have had chains permanently on my PT for over 5 years now (outboard tires) and this year will be their last year. I need new ones as they are completely worn through.

 

[SpringHollow]

V-plow helps with many issues.

Worn out chains? Wow.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Some of the links are good, some are just worn thin. I can never get them tight enough so they tend to have weird wear spots. I could review them, try and cobble them together to keep going but not sure its worth the effort.

 

[AVIVIII]

Not to be a dck but I would sent back those chaines and get diamond pattern. Bar chains slip to easily into the grooves of the bar tires and do no good

Not at all. Same tire size on my JD430 (that has turf tires) so I'm really not out much if they don't work well on the PT. I have a spare set of 4 wheels for the 1850 that I considered putting HDAP style tires on for the winter too, we'll see where it goes.

 

[farm23]

We just received a years snow in 2 days [22 to 24 inches]. I got by with studs on my bar tires but they were not the best. My 1430 only have about 1" clearance between the side wall of the tire and the tractor tub. Triechain.com suggested using 1 or 2 " spacers and I thought about reversing the tires. I will have to decided if the extra work is worth the extra effort, wish I knew how severe this winter was going to be.

 

[ponytug]

FWIW: NOAA forecasts weak El Niño;


Also in the FWIW category: I have the net chains; once they are tight, I have had no issues with 1" of clearance on my 1445. I do tuck the extra two links of the chain under the "Y" fastening plate.

Don't hog the snow; I'd love some out here. :thumbsup:

All the best,

Peter

 

[SpringHollow]

One huge plus of my making the wheel adapters for the wheels I am using is that it allowed me to space the wheels out quite a bit which makes chains easy. Also, I have not had to put duals on for my slopes. On the down side, there are a few times where I would have gone into the woods if I had my duals on but the ground was too soft for singles. Swapping in the duals was not worth the hour's effort.

Ken