Chains tire chains

[jdboy4410]

i am getting ready to buy tire chains for my 4410 and had a couple of questions before i buy them.trying to decide whether to go with 2 link or the 4 link type,and was going to put them on the front too.my property is all hill,and i have had some scary experiences with sliding in the snow.the only time i will be using the chains is when there is snow,otherwise,i have no issues with traction for the most part.my machine is always in 4WD even when i am mowing with it,that's a must.i was just going to put chains on the rear,my concern is if the rear gets traction,and the front don't,may cause damage from speed variation between the front and rear.i'm pretty much sold on putting them on the front just to keep the front end from sliding.if you have ever slid sideways and come up on two wheels,you know what i am talking about.not a good feeling.just want to get some other opinions from you guys,what do you think ?

 

[SteveBC16]

Using chains on the front of a 4WD tractor is a bad idea. Front wheel drive systems are designed to slip when the tractor loses traction. Slipping on a dry surface with FWD engaged can damage the front wheel drive assembly. It is for that reason JD cautions the operator not to run the tractor on a dry pavement with FWD engaged. Installing chains on the FWD will give you traction but no slippage and is a sure way to damage your tractor. My JD 2305 operators manual specifically warns the operator NOT to use chains on the front tires.

 

[jdboy4410]

just read through my operator's manual,it does say not to install chains on the front tires,the way it is written is as follows : Do not install tire chains on machine front wheels,Chains will strike and damage machine.i would have to agree that they would hit if you turned too sharp,and i agree,you would'nt want them on a dry surface,however,with being on packed snow,and given i am most always on some type of an incline when i am working with snow,and the only time the chains would be on it was when there is snow.still up in the air about it.the front end is always sliding.more so than the rear.maybe i will just put them on the rear for now and see how it goes.i have talked to 3 different guys,and they said to definitely put them on the front.

 

[Gizmo2]

i have talked to 3 different guys,and they said to definitely put them on the front.

It is not their tractor!!!

 

[RoyJackson]

I read my manual too and it says exactly the same thing as jdboy's manual...but nothing about front axle damage, which is what we were worried about. So far, all I've found while searching TBN about chains on the front tires and axle damage has been anecdotal (no personal experience cited).
There was a spurt of 790 front axle bevel gear breakages a few years back, but they were from towing heavy loads in reverse, not chains.
In my case, the drive is level and I'm mostly concerned about backing out of when I get stuck, so I reckon I'll just go with the rear chains (and using the loader to push out).
In jdboy's case, the determination between possible front axle damage and losing control of the tractor makes the decision pretty easy, I think. However, he (and I) could call the dealer and find out what their experience has been with chains on the front axles (and failures).

 

[thatguy]

I know there is about 1/2" clearance between the tires and steering components on my 2320 - which is not nearly enough the chains would have to have no slack at all..

Brian

 

[Gizmo2]

I ran chains on the front of my 1988 JD650 on rare occasions, I had to it was not an option. I never had problem although I was very careful and I never pushed the tractor. There is absolutely no room on my JD2320 for front chains, luckily I have not found the need for front chains on the 2320 as of yet.

 

[jdboy4410]

i talked to the dealer today,and they do not recommend putting chains on the front,he did say to let a little air out of the front tires to give them a little more surface on the ground.i am gonna try with just the rear chains,they will make it better for sure,if the front end still wants to slide around,i will put chains up front too.i only want the chains on when there is snow on the ground,it won't keep the front axle from slipping alltogether,so,should be no problem as long as i am carefull with it.i posted a couple of pics in my albumn of my baby if you's wanna have a look ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[RoyJackson]

i talked to the dealer today,and they do not recommend putting chains on the front,he did say to let a little air out of the front tires to give them a little more surface on the ground.i am gonna try with just the rear chains,they will make it better for sure,if the front end still wants to slide around,i will put chains up front too.i only want the chains on when there is snow on the ground,it won't keep the front axle from slipping alltogether,so,should be no problem as long as i am carefull with it.i posted a couple of pics in my albumn of my baby if you's wanna have a look ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Yeah, a little less air pressure works well...just remember to pump 'em back up before any heavy loader work (other then snow moving). Trust me, low tire pressure in the fronts when doing heavy loader work will run 'em off the rims. Makes steering tough too.
Where'd you buy your 4410, jdboy? My 790 came from a dealer in southern Virginia. My first machine, the infamous Deere 670, was bought at Southern York Turf and Tractor in Shrewsbury.

BTW, remember that 4410 (with backhoe) on White Oak Road I wrote about in your other thread? I passed by that place about an hour ago. His drive is about ¼ mile and he's stuck about halfway. At this point, I don't think lowering the pressure would help much. Maybe a bull dozer would...or the spring thaw.

 

[atgreene]

FWIW, I have run chains on the front of both of my Kubotas.

My 345 dt snapped the front drive link while bucketing snow. I did not have enough weight on the rear and was digging with the front bucket. Learned my lesson. Could have just as easily done it w/o the chains, as I later learned. Kubota dealer told me chains on the front is a no-no. I walked over to the fancy color booklet they hand out with all the fancy new tractors in it. Right there in it was pics of Kubota tractors with chains on the front in the snow. They hemmed and hawed then said I should be carrying more weight on the rear.

As faor difference in diameter, it won't mater. I have new tires on the front of mine with 50% rears and the fronts turn at slightly different speed. I don't use 4 wd unless I need it, but it's a tractor, not a toy. It is made to work not look at.

Anyway, my 4150 has had chains on the front and rear for 6 years + now. I work it hard logging, loading, run chains in the summer bushhoggin' and have yet to have an issue. In my situation I have decided I would rather break something than roll the thing over on steep ground. I try not to dig with the bucket if I have front chains on unless I have a heavy implement on the rear. There are a lot of other folks around here with chains on all 4 corners.

Front chains are there to keep you out of trouble, not to dig harder.

I just bought these 2 weeks ago. I'm buying a second set for the front. Here's a link of some pics where I've been working. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/photos/163398-my-little-logging-operation.html

 

[beenthere]

I've run chains on the rear for many years - simple single ladder chains. This is the first winter I've put them on the front and wasn't because of steering (that is what the individual wheel brakes are for, IMO). But I needed to go in the deep snow in the woods and the extra traction was great. I left just the fronts on for awhile. Then decided having a lot of traction just on the front wheels, without any help from the rears was not the best idea (although have not heard of a Deere having problems, and was told by a Deere engineer that they were designed to take the load).
Here are a couple pics of the rears and the fronts only.

 

[AKfish]

Anyway, my 4150 has had chains on the front and rear for 6 years + now. I work it hard logging, loading, run chains in the summer bushhoggin' and have yet to have an issue. In my situation I have decided I would rather break something than roll the thing over on steep ground. I try not to dig with the bucket if I have front chains on unless I have a heavy implement on the rear. There are a lot of other folks around here with chains on all 4 corners.

Front chains are there to keep you out of trouble, not to dig harder.

I just bought these 2 weeks ago. I'm buying a second set for the front. Here's a link of some pics where I've been working. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/photos/163398-my-little-logging-operation.html

Those chains have some "meat" to 'em!

I used chains on my JD970 for 4 years and have had chains on all 4 wheels of my 110 for 2 winters now. No problems at all.

If you'll notice - most DOT road graders and many plow trucks (both 2WD) have chains on the front wheels when the conditions are bad. Reason: they dramatically help with steering control and stopping (truck).

If you have concerns regarding clearance - look for some lighter chains that are smaller diameter. Like the ones for a small car. Or go with a cable chain.

I have found that many times while plowing and clearing snow; my front wheels are just slightly off the ground and don't do much in 4WD, anyway. But for steering control --- gotta have 'em!!! And for those times when you drop the front end off the edge of the road or just over a dip where the piles are... and you can't back up or go forward - thank God for chains!

Lot's of ice and deep, hard packed snow are normal operating conditions up here. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone without chains on all 4 wheels.

Use common sense - don't keep it in 4WD unless necessary, steer gradually and in wider arcs (no crabbing or binding). Go slower...

Using chains for 3 months in the winter (6-7 up here) shouldn't be any more of a concern to your front driveline than digging and dirt work with the loader in the warmer months.

AKfish

 

[AKfish]

This is the first winter I've put them on the front and wasn't because of steering (that is what the individual wheel brakes are for, IMO).

I guess you've never had the unenviable situation of having the entire front end of the tractor swing out of control when you just "tapped" on one of the rear brakes to steer the tractor!!

On ice, or the "glazy" hard-packed surface that's frequent on snow - without chains on the front - it can be nearly impossible to navigate or keep the front of the tractor where you want it. Especially on slopes or curvy roads.

I wouldn't EVEN consider using my tractor for an entire winter without chains on all 4 wheels!

AKfish

 

[beenthere]

I guess you've never had the unenviable situation of having the entire front end of the tractor swing out of control when you just "tapped" on one of the rear brakes to steer the tractor!!
AKfish

Not in the 50 years I've been driving tractors, and 40+ have been plowing snow and driving on icy, snow-packed, slippery slush conditions on hills and curves. Nothing even close to what you describe. Doesn't sound like "just tapped" on a brake to me.
More like "locked one wheel, causing the other to spin twice as fast, and then spinning out of control". I don't do that.

But whatever works good for you is what you should do. I'm not advocating doing what I do, just passing on the information for whatever good it might be.

 

[Gizmo2]

Front chains are there to keep you out of trouble, not to dig harder.

Not true, I have been known to get into trouble anyway.

 

[kennyd]

I won't get into the front or no-front chains debate-but you definitely want 2-link ladders for the rear, not the 4-linkers.

 

[Gizmo2]

I won't get into the front or no-front chains debate-but you definitely want 2-link ladders for the rear, not the 4-linkers.

Without question, IMO, I have been wrong before...

 

[AKfish]

Not in the 50 years I've been driving tractors, and 40+ have been plowing snow and driving on icy, snow-packed, slippery slush conditions on hills and curves. Nothing even close to what you describe. Doesn't sound like "just tapped" on a brake to me.
More like "locked one wheel, causing the other to spin twice as fast, and then spinning out of control". I don't do that.

Nope... just "tapped". If you've really been on ice and had a sheen of water or rain on top... you'd know that - "all it takes is just a tap".

And if it's a banked curve or a slope - you can just be sitting still; not moving, and the front end (sometimes the whole tractor) will just "drift"... usually where you don't want to go!

Ice is certainly the worst; but, I've had the front end wander quite a bit on glazed snow, too.

After the 3rd or 4th time of having the bucket or the loader arm slide into the side of a tree; it's a good thing to have a set of chains on the front tires.

AKfish

 

[AKfish]

You've seen those YouTube videos of cars-trucks on icey roads in urban areas? I think there's a really good one of a snow storm and then rain-ice on top of that in Seattle.

Like a slo-motion arcade game: with real people and real machines!! Scary - but funny at the same time!

We get that up here; in this area. Without chains - on a level surface - parked. I could move my front tires by pushing on the side of the bucket on the loader. A little water on top of a hard layer of ice. You can BARELY stand up on it! Let alone walk..

I use those rubber, strap-on cleats for my boots, too.

AKfish