Traction Tire Chains

[twinjayhawks]

We just had 24" of snow and my property has a lot of hills... very tough to get around. Does anyone have any experience with tire chains on their tractors?

 

[wiskydelta]

I know what you mean, I have Ag tires and still had to use my FEL to get through some of those drifts.

 

[Vtnewbie]

What kind of tires do you have, and which tractor? My place is on a mountainside. I have R-4 industrials on a Branson 4720 gear, and put V-bar chains on front and back this year. Before having the chains, my tractor slid around bad enough to worry me, in spite of or due to it's weight (with front end loader, backhoe, and ballasted tires, it is a heavy package).

With chains, it will go anywhere, and never slides or slips sideways.

I got the V-BAR DUO-GRIP chains from tirechains.com. They have been impressive in mud, ice, and every kind of snow. Nothing has challenged them yet.

 

[twinjayhawks]

I have a Century 3450 with R4 Ag Tires (17.5Lx24). Should I just get the chains for the back tires? How much were yours and how hard are they to get on?
I can't find my tire size for the front... The numbers on the tire don't make sense??? Do you know what I should be looking for on the tire?

Thanks for your help, Darin

 

[Vtnewbie]

I tried running them on the rears only, and the front end slid around more than I liked. The chains on the front have really made it steer and track better.

I plow in 2wd most of the time and occasionally get stuck, but engaging the front axle then has gotten me out each time. All in all, I am much happier with having chains all around, than if I had them only on the back. And front chains are so cheap (you can use truck chains), there is no reason not to have them.

Mine fit the 420/70 R24 rear tires. The rear chains probably weigh around 75 pounds per side. Since I have a backhoe I used the rear stabilizers to raise the back end off the ground, and so it only took me half an hour to install them. I did not install tensioners, and like the way the chains can move and stay out from between the lugs. I think they cost me almost 500 bucks with shipping.

Are you sure about the type of tire you have? R-4s are a wider, shallower lug tire (like the kind that skid loaders and backhoes use) than the "farmer john" deep lug agricultural tires. If you have ag tires, getting chains to fit right is more challenging, and may need some input from a local tractor/tire dealer.

 

[twinjayhawks]

I purchased the V Bar Duo Grip chains today for the front and the back wheels. I will let you know how they work. I will not have them for the snow storm tomorrow but for the next one I should be ready.

Will they tear up a concrete or asphalt drive? They look like they might really dig in. When I get my 1/2 mile drive concreted I was wondering if I need to change to a different chain.

 

[Vtnewbie]

I bet they would do a number on concrete and asphalt. The links are hardened steel, and V-bars are even harder than the links.

I hope I didn't influence you to get something that won't work for you. These are very aggressive chains, and I use them only on snow, ice, mud, and gravel. I don't use them on any form of pavement.

 

[twinjayhawks]

I need aggressive... My driveway goes up a hill of about 100' in elevation change toward the end. It is my dream to concrete the whole thing someday. But for now I need aggressive...

 

[sal64]

i have a very steep driveway, i bought vbar duro-ladder for my jd 990 14.9x24 ag tires payed with shipping about 700. but it makes a tremendous differance ,the only thing is they are very heavy i have a heck of a time getting them on.

 

[twinjayhawks]

the only thing is they are very heavy i have a heck of a time getting them on.

Do you have any advice or shortcuts you have found for putting on the chains? Mine should be arriving Friday and I have never put on tire chains before.

Also, do the chains damage the tires if the tractor is stored on concrete?

 

[sal64]

yes they damage the concrete i put down plywood. the way i put mine on is i lay one chain down straight flat on the plywood drive over the chain jack up the weel then put tractor in neutral grab the chain and roll it over the weel useing the weel to roll then put tractor in gear straighten it out,start at 12 aclock pull each side down,then i lay on flore clip inside of chain, then i try to clip outside using vise grips, its a big pain but its worth it it really makes a big differance.i put them on myself if you have some help you it would be little easyer.

 

[twinjayhawks]

I finally received my tire chains. It is sunny and 70 here today and all the snow is melted. Oh well... I will be ready next time.

The picture is while I was clearing my drive last week... with no chains. 43" in 10 days up that hill was not fun.

 

[Kaizer Peas]

I have a 3510I Branson with R4's and they worked well in fresh snow no matter how deep but when it froze and turned to ice I had to use chains.
My RMV8 2 link rear set from tirechains.com weigh 75# each and the best way I found to get them on was to tie a short rope through the wheel and tie it to the end of the chains and drive them right up on.
It's still a bear to get them tight . The best way seems to be is to jack the tractor. I plan this fall before snow to put the BH on and use the rope and the outriggers to get the rear off the ground so the chains meet at the bottom. It's the only way I can think of to get them tight.
Got front and rear set and they work great on ice. I have only a dirt floor barn as my tool shed so chains aren't a problem for me.

 

[beenthere]

I finally received my tire chains. It is sunny and 70 here today and all the snow is melted. Oh well... I will be ready next time.

The picture is while I was clearing my drive last week... with no chains. 43" in 10 days up that hill was not fun.

Not fun when you have to spoon it out with just a bucket either.

But then, you get a lot of seat time.