Traction Thoughts on chains front wheels 4wd

[p0peye]

I have a JD2520 with R4s and find the front has little traction and turns hard on snow/ice. They just want to slide most of the time. Will chains hurt the front end when using 4wd. I have chains for the rear and thought I would use chains on the front without using 4wd so it will turn. What do you all do I know you can use the brakes and have tried this but would rather use the steering .

Thougths Thanks

 

[Thomas]

Over the years I read many likes and dislikes on TBN even from service tech's,but most will say try not to spin front tires or chatter tire,if so good chance in time shaft will break.

 

[gerard]

I use chains on all 4 but when in 4wd I'm always on snow or ice so there's plenty of slippage. If I'm on dry pavement, I make sure to take it out of 4wd but I see no problem with using chains on all 4. Greatly improved my steering ability while plowing. I also have some side slopes that would pull me downhill while plowing. Doesn't happen now with chains on the front.

 

[p0peye]

This was my thinking as well. If you have chains on all 4 wheels you may not need to use the 4wd much at all so what would it hurt.

 

[Deadman]

Without chains on the front, and R4 tires, you WILL need to steer with the brakes, as turning the wheel does nothing.

I don't want chains on my 2520's, front, so i just slip n slide all over the place and steer with the brakes.

 

[lungdoc]

I wouldn't use chains ONLY on the front but I use on the front. I cannot see that there isn't a whole lot less stress and more slip with chains on packed snow/ice (wouldn't use 4WD w chains on dry) than there is using loader on firm surfacewithout chains in the summer.

 

[jcmseven]

I would think chains would be fine, but agree that running them on all four is the best idea. I suppose also the choice of chain may be helpful. I do not know how people feel about 2 link v. 4 link for the front, but it seems two link style would be better for a smother ride, less slippage, and less likelihood of "catching" and causing damage under a load than would 4 link. Sadly and as always, they are nice and thusly more expensive. I would also say V bars are likely a no go for the front.

John M

 

[Marveltone]

I wonder if cable chains would be a good alternative for the front? They usually fit tight,which would be good for steering control and they don't dig in as much as a regular chain so they might help with the limited slippage the front would like. In fact on wet packed snow, I'd tend to think they would be similar to R1s in hard packed dirt or clay.

Of course, I could be totally off my rocker. Any thoughts?

Joe

 

[gerard]

Cable's on the front wouldn't hurt but I don't think you have any problem with a regular chain either. As previously stated chains in snow can't give more grip than R1's in dirt doing loader work. Would I chain ONLY the fronts? No, I think that would be a little dumb as why would I want the smaller front differential and gears to try and do most of the pulling?? You also have to consider that MOST of the time when plowing, you're going straight forward, meaning each front wheel is travelling approx. the same speed. Now if you have the wheels turned to full lock and spin the wheels, that IS putting more strain on the faster moving tires gears but why would you do that? I have regular ladder cross chains on front of R1's with a closer spacing so they lay across the tops of the lugs. I still get some slippage dragging a 7 foot blade uphill, but a lot less than without the chains and I keep my steering. Don't have to do any brake steering.

 

[Zebrafive]

I would think chains would be fine, but agree that running them on all four is the best idea. I suppose also the choice of chain may be helpful. I do not know how people feel about 2 link v. 4 link for the front, but it seems two link style would be better for a smother ride, less slippage, and less likelihood of "catching" and causing damage under a load than would 4 link. Sadly and as always, they are nice and thusly more expensive. I would also say V bars are likely a no go for the front.

John M

What is 2 link vs 4 link chains?

 

[RalphVa]

I just use the individual brakes on my 4010.

Don't think it's a good idea to put chains on the front tires, as they go at different speeds from the rears. Could put too much strain on the drive system in the front.

Ralph

 

[beenthere]

What is 2 link vs 4 link chains?

Twice as many cross chains in the 2 link (links of the side chain).

 

[Gizmo2]

What is 2 link vs 4 link chains?

ladder tire chains for farm tractors

 

[Deadman]

Its how many chain rings are on the sides between your crossbars, so basically every 2 links a crossbar is on a 2 link. Every 4 links a crossbar is on the 4 link.
So a 2 link has twice as many crossbars.

 

[AKfish]

I've used chains on all 4-wheels of my tractors - even my 2WD 9N - for years without any problems!

It makes all the difference in the world when trying to maintain steering control!

And they can mean being able to back out of a "stuck spot" without having to go hook the truck or another tractor up to pull yourself out.

Since I only use 4x4 about 10% of the time when plowing (and NEVER on DRY ground), etc. I don't feel that using chains on the fronts is any harder on my drivelines, etc. than using 4x4 to move dirt and gravel in the summer.

AKfish

 

[jimgerken]

I had chains on all fours on my 2520 when I used it for driveway clearing, and for firewood dragging in the winter. Worked GREAT !!! The thing felt like it would climb a tree. Obviously it puts more strain on the front end, since it is actually helping pull the tractor along with chains on. Didn't hurt mine any though. Sold the tractor, still have the chains, could sell them I guess... pics attached. They are very special. If laid on the floor, they form an arc like a banana shape. That makes them fit the very close 2520 front wheel without hitting the steering arm. The inner chain circle is large, and the outer is small. Maybe the pics will help.

 

[beenthere]

How many links are there in the inner chain versus how many in the outer chain? Sounds like a good idea if they don't want to walk off the tire.

I also run a set like that on my front tires but the inner and outer side chains are the same length (set of car tire chains). No problems and they don't come close to hitting the steering arm (or the front blade hyd. hoses). But they are on my JD 4300.

 

[sal64]

in my oppinion it wount help tires are to small, ofcorse it depens on the snow, i have chains on front of my jd990 and it doesnt help much i still cant stear it in heavy snow.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I have a JD2520 with R4s and find the front has little traction and turns hard on snow/ice. They just want to slide most of the time. Will chains hurt the front end when using 4wd. I have chains for the rear and thought I would use chains on the front without using 4wd so it will turn. What do you all do I know you can use the brakes and have tried this but would rather use the steering .

Thougths Thanks

put the front chains on. Rear chains w/o front are causing you trouble in slippery conditions. This is due to an inherent screw up of the front lead ratio that must be preserved to enhance directional control. With rear chains only, you are pushing the fronts causing them to be in a constant slide. For directional control you want the fronts to be pulling. In slippery conditions the best 1st move is front chains. If you find drive traction to be lacking, then put them on the rear
larry