Tire chains for Kubota 3130HST - R4 tires?

penokee · Sep 24, 2004

Plan to do some work in a wooded area w/wet areas and early snow possible. Tractor has beeen ordered, but not yet delivered. Thinking of getting a set of chains for rear tires incase needed. Is this feasable? What type chains, where can they be purchase? All comments appreciated.

penokee /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Henro · Sep 24, 2004

Nixon has a set of chains he is real happy with on this L3130. Maybe he will chime in with the details if he reads this thread... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

You can also look at www.tirechains.com to get some idea of price and available type. I think the ones Nixon got are better maybe than what they offer, but also more expensive...

I have found that chains on the R4 tires do make a difference. Better to get something that does not fall in between the lugs though. On my B2910 Kubota half of each cross link on my 2-link ladder type chains falls between the lugs and is useless. They still make a huge difference though.

MadReferee · Sep 25, 2004

( Better to get something that does not fall in between the lugs though. On my B2910 Kubota half of each cross link on my 2-link ladder type chains falls between the lugs and is useless. )

Not as useless as you would think. I do notice that the marks made in the packed snow by the chains are always a full tire width. I think it has to do with compression when the tire meets the surface. I do have R4's loaded with Rim Guard on my B2710.

NIXON · Sep 25, 2004

Penokee . I got a set of double ring chains from St Pierre's .
Like Bill said I like them a lot as the double rings don't get lost between the lugs of the R4's . (they're about 2 .5 " in diameter . ) You will have to dish out the tires to allow them to fit . Ask your dealer to do it before He delivers your machine if you go with them .
I don't recall the price I paid right of hand but they were more than the tire chains . com chains .
thier site is www.stpierreusa.com . John

Henro · Sep 25, 2004

Not as useless as you would think. I do notice that the marks made in the packed snow by the chains are always a full tire width. 

Mad,

I don't know how to quantify it, but looking at two extremes, Ice and mud, in my experience the part of the cross chain that falls between the lugs does little. On Ice, only the part that is above the lugs contacts the ice. In mud, the lugs fill with mud and the chain that is between the lugs is hidden in there somewhere.

In between, in snow where the tires are not spinning, it could be that the chains are not really doing much, and the tire without the chains might do the job just fine...

Like I said, I don't really know. But if I were to bet, I would bet that chain sticking above the tire surface does a lot more for traction than chain that finds itself down between the lugs... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

frank_f15 · Sep 25, 2004

( But if I were to bet, I would bet that chain sticking above the tire surface does a lot more for traction than chain that finds itself down between the lugs...
)
BINGO! best set of chains i ever saw were on one of my uncles old ford tractors, think he called them bull chains, kind of like a double link and loose enough that they never clogged. not really sure if the newer tractors would allow u to use such a lose chain.

JJT · Sep 25, 2004

I'll second the vote for a set of double ring chains. I have a set for my L3710, it's like night and day. I did a little test last winter, we had about 12 inches of hard snow in the yard, I drove the tractor off the drive and went about 15 feet before I got stuck, had to use the diff lock to back out. I put the chains on, left it in 2 wheel drive and did a couple of 1 acres loops without loosing traction. I also have r4's, the double rings don't get lost in the tire lugs.

1 negative on the chains, I blow out my neighbors drive and this requires a 1000 foot run on the road, the chains make me slow down to a crawl to prevent being shaken apart.

NIXON · Sep 25, 2004

penokee , I took a few pictures of the chains , You'll see how they clear the lugs by a good bit . (Yes Bill I got a dig. camera /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ) But You'll have to wait until I can get the wife to post them /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif John

Junkman · Sep 29, 2004

penokee .... I am the one that recommended St. Pierre to Nixon because I am familiar with their product and manufacturing process & facility. They are first class product that will give service long after the inexpensive import units have fallen apart. I have a set of St. Pierre chains for my truck that have over 20 years use on them. My neighbor has a large log skidder and that is all that he purchases. He has told me many times that they will outlast the competition 3 to 1. Spend a little more and only buy it once. There is no substitute for quality. I know that there are others on TBN that are also happy St. Pierre chain owners such as LarryRB.

Henro · Sep 29, 2004

(Yes Bill I got a dig. camera ) But You'll have to wait until I can get the wife to post them John 

John, since you got a dig camera sounds like it is time to give you a dig...well...I mean it sounds like your wife got the digital camera... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

OK...now let's see those pictures! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif