Tire chain question.

springsyeti

New member

Equipment
BX2680 Grand L3560 LA805 PFL 1242 BB2572 SA20 RCR1872 Worksaver Grapple L4479
Mar 7, 2022
7
17
3
Colorado Springs
Picked up a Grand L3560 with a cab this spring and the L4479 front snowblower. The tractor has industrial tires and I will be blowing a dirt driveway that is just over 1/4 min long with some steep parts. I was just at the dealer to get the wonky fuel gauge fixed and asked about chains. They only recommend the rear. Most of what I have seen recommended front and rear. What is the recommendation here? The property is N Central CO with quite a bit of snow and below zero temps. Thank you.
 

jimh406

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
Kubota L2501 with R4 tires
Jan 29, 2021
2,154
1,557
113
Western MT
I've used only fronts and fronts and rears. I like having both axles chained up better. I find the steering is a little better. Btw, I just have ladder style chains, but they work well on my setup.
 
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top gnome

Active member

Equipment
b2301 w bh fel grapple back blade snow plow forks
Dec 12, 2021
458
213
43
Fundy shore nova scotia

Skidude108

New member

Equipment
L3240 HST
Oct 20, 2022
17
4
3
Maine
I studded all 4 tires and am happy to leave my chains hanging on the wall.
Do you leave the studs in all summer too? Are there any down-sides? I haven't had my tractor through a winter yet but I assume I will need more traction for snow blowing than my R4s will provide without chains or studs.
 

WoodKutter

Member

Equipment
L4600 John Deere 750, John Deere 420
Apr 15, 2022
95
54
18
Vermont and Northern Maine
I think it depends on your conditions. Studs sound interesting and I may try them. In extreme conditions I can't see them replacing chains. On my plow truck my studded snows stay chained up front and rear all winter.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
28,286
4,851
113
Sandpoint, ID
Mine are studded all the time.
They work great all winter.
I don't have hard or solid surfaces, we have all sand.
 

mikester

Well-known member

Equipment
M59 TLB
Oct 21, 2017
3,121
1,606
113
Canada
www.divergentstuff.ca
Do you leave the studs in all summer too? Are there any down-sides? I haven't had my tractor through a winter yet but I assume I will need more traction for snow blowing than my R4s will provide without chains or studs.
Yes I left my studs in all year around. I only did a single row down the mid-line of the tread.

The only downside I see so far is that studded tires leave rosette marks on your concrete/asphalt/pavers if you do a lot of turning on the spot. I am a happy camper with them so far.
 

Tropical Jack

Active member

Equipment
Kubota L3301 w/ FEL & BH, tilt and trim, chipper, box blade, grading blade
I live in the mountains in western North Carolina. I don’t use a blower because my driveway and community roads are gravel. I use a blade on the 3 pt with a 2x8 board bolted on and extending 2’ past the blade. This keeps me from having to get too close to the edge (ditches or steep banks), and minimizes pushing the gravel off.

I have used chains on the front and chains on all 4 wheels. If I could only put chains on 1 axle, I would chain the front. Increased traction and most important for me - better steering control.

Jack
 

BAP

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
2012 Kubota 2920, 60MMM, FEL, BH65 48" Bush Hog, 60"Backblade, B2782B Snowblower
Dec 31, 2012
2,513
657
113
New Hampshire
Picked up a Grand L3560 with a cab this spring and the L4479 front snowblower. The tractor has industrial tires and I will be blowing a dirt driveway that is just over 1/4 min long with some steep parts. I was just at the dealer to get the wonky fuel gauge fixed and asked about chains. They only recommend the rear. Most of what I have seen recommended front and rear. What is the recommendation here? The property is N Central CO with quite a bit of snow and below zero temps. Thank you.
The reason they recommended rear chains is that most manufacturers don’t recommend front chains because of the fear they will damage the front axle internal components. Most people recommend using rears or front and rear combined but not front only. I run chains on all 4 wheels on my tractor to help steering along with the necessary traction.
 
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mikester

Well-known member

Equipment
M59 TLB
Oct 21, 2017
3,121
1,606
113
Canada
www.divergentstuff.ca
Try the studs, they are relatively cheap and you can always chain up later. If traction is critical I'd get the euro style chains with cleats and put them on all four tires.
 

woodman55

Well-known member

Equipment
L6060HSTC, RTV 1100
May 15, 2022
724
516
93
canada
I chain up all four. Not only do you get more traction, the front chains keep the front/rear ratio matched up better.
 

RCW

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Equipment
BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Apr 28, 2013
8,282
3,865
113
Chenango County, NY
I have front chains, but so far have only used rears. With care, I don’t see an issue chaining all 4.

Just need to pay attention.