Chains Tire Chains on GT3235

Vernonator · Jan 16, 2007

I have a GT 3235 with a 42" blade - after slipping around last year with just tire weights I got a set of chains from my dealer. This past weekend was my first opportunity to use them. They did give me very good traction - when they stayed on the tire!!!! I had to put them back on twice!!! How do you who use chains keep them tight?

As a side - I did a search for chains here and saw several pictures - they all showed the chains wrapping around so that the connetion chain was even with the rim - mine dont even come close to that - did my dealer give me the wrong sized chaines?

Oleozz · Jan 16, 2007

You need a pair of tire chain tensioners/adjuster. They fit on the outside of your tire, have 5 springs connected to an inner circle of chain and keep your chains tight. You can find them at Tire Chains by Tirechains.com. and cost $30.00 for a pair. They have pics of them that show you how they fit on your tire.
Be sure to take all the slack out of your chains when you put them on, draw them up as tight as you can and then put the tensioners on the outside. Your chains should almost go to the edge of the rubber, be sure you have the right size.

ducati996 · Jan 17, 2007

actually you dont need tensioners at all. What you need to do is take the wheels off the axle, let all the air out of the rim (the bead wont break because no weight is on it), fit the chains as tight as you can then air it up. You will find the chains will be incredibly snug and will not move after that.

Vernonator · Jan 17, 2007

All the sites I have hit say NOT to do that ducati.....I did order a set of tensioners - for $19.00 shipped it seems like a pretty good thing to try. I am still not convinced I have the right sized chains though. When they are on they do not come close to wrapping all the way down to the rim.

ducati996 · Jan 19, 2007

Vernonator said:
All the sites I have hit say NOT to do that ducati.....I did order a set of tensioners - for $19.00 shipped it seems like a pretty good thing to try. I am still not convinced I have the right sized chains though. When they are on they do not come close to wrapping all the way down to the rim.

Not sure why since its already a proven method as well as safe...I guess they want to sell tensioners....they arent supposed to go all the way to the rim

I have been airing down and back up for 35 plus years on my Cubs with zero problems.

Best of luck either way

ducati996 · Jan 19, 2007

Just to show you how its supposed to look . I have 23 x 9.5 x 12 tires but they are carlisle 4ply

Snug fit with V-bar chains. They dont move and its as safe as as things can be

Vernonator · Jan 19, 2007

I did order the tensioners (as I noted above) but they will not be here by this weekends forcast snow. My chains only come down the wall of the tires (24x10.5x12) about half as far as yours. I will give the "dismount,deflate, mount, inflate" a try...it does sound like a good idea.

thanks for the help - and the picture

I still think my dealer gave me the wrong size chains, even more so looking at how yours are mounted. If the tensioners don't work I will order a new set form tirechains.com...AND call my dealer and give him what for.....

Dave01 · Jan 19, 2007

Be careful - if your chains are the wrong size to start with, the tensioner will pull the outside together nicely but when you stress them while plowing the inside may roll off the edge of the tire. I've had this happen and if you don't notice and stop quickly the chains can get caught and do some damage.

ducati996 · Jan 19, 2007

Vernonator,

I hate putting chains on so much I got anthor set of tires and rims, and left one pair with chains on them all the time. I typically dont bother anymore because I use AG's with a ton of weight. But if its an icey day, I just switch out the tires that are already with chains.

Bring your tires and have your dealer figure it out - should be fun for him

Vernonator · Jan 22, 2007

D -
I tried your remove, deflate, install, inflate method and it worked perfectly. It was a lot easier to put the chains on with the tires off. Plowed for 1 1/2 hrs Sunday and they were rock solid in 6" of snow.

Thanks!!!

Mark