Chains?

[Bill in the U.P.]

I did a couple of searches on here about chains. I have a hilly mile of dirt and gravel drive to keep open here in Northern Michigan. We had a heavy and dense 12" drop last Saturday. I pulled the trigger on a 7' blade for the front that is scheduled to arrive mid-January. I have a snow pusher on the front now and a 7' blower on the rear of my L4630 GST. I couldn't make it up one of my hills Saturday and got stuck a couple of times. I want to order some rear chains and could use some advice about getting a set of duo H grip chains or the more aggressive (and expensive) doo H grip with V bar? I have not used chains before. Will the "standard" chains do or does it sound like I need more aggressive V bar chains. Thanks for any feedback.

https://www.tractortirechains.com/Tractor-Tire-Chain-DUO-p/duo263.htm

Duo Grip H-Pattern V-Bar Tractor Tire Chains | Tire Chains 'R' Us

Shop Duo Grip H-Pattern V-Bar Tractor Tire Chains. Free shipping on orders over $75. Image is for reference only, tire/wheel/rubber tensioners not included. Chains only. Chains are sold in pairs (2 chains) and will cover two tires..

www.tirechainsrus.com

 

[ranger danger]

In my opiniun, "v" bar chains are for ice and heavily packed wet snow. If that's not the issue for you then, the regular chains will work just fine.

 

[i7win7]

You may need wheel spacers if fenders are too close

 

[GBJeffOH]

On my L3540 and L4060 I could put the right wheel on the left and the left on the right and it spaces it out about 2 inches for chain clearance.

Take out the bolts at the rim.

 

[Bill in the U.P.]

On my L3540 and L4060 I could put the right wheel on the left and the left on the right and it spaces it out about 2 inches for chain clearance.

Take out the bolts at the rim.

I've got barely 1 1/2" (used a 2 x 4 and it was tight). Would I be cutting it too tight?

 

[ranger danger]

Thats close but I think you should be ok. If it were me, I would gets some chains and try it. If they rub, you need more space. If not, your good to go.

 

[Bill in the U.P.]

Thats close but I think you should be ok. If it were me, I would gets some chains and try it. If they rub, you need more space. If not, your good to go.

Good advice, thank you. I think I will call the chain place next week and ask about clearances before I order. I'm leaning toward the V-Bar chains which likely need more clearance .

 

[ranger danger]

If you have a old set of chains hanging around, that would give you the info you need. Maybe even a neibour has an old set to try?

 

[Henro]

Thats close but I think you should be ok. If it were me, I would gets some chains and try it. If they rub, you need more space. If not, your good to go.

I think this is the practical answer. You can ask and get a reply that will not necessarily be correct in your situation.

My chains on my R4 tires just clear my fenders until they shift, then they hit.

The proof is in the pudding, as the old expression goes. Never understood what it meant though...but seems to be true...

 

[Bill in the U.P.]

I was reading on another chain thread here about someone adding spacers. Where would I get those? Through the dealer?

 

[Henro]

I was reading on another chain thread here about someone adding spacers. Where would I get those? Through the dealer?

The dealer is one option. There are aftermarket suppliers as well.

The aftermarket people can supply thicker spacers than the dealer. Thicker spacers are more for side stability than chain clearance.

 

[Bill in the U.P.]

Is reversing the rear tires an option to increase width? I haven't found a good video on it yet.

 

[ranger danger]

Is reversing the rear tires an option to increase width? I haven't found a good video on it yet.

Depends! If your wheels are already at there widest position then no. Otherwise, you could get a fair bit wider depending on your wheels.

 

[Clementine21]

Thats close but I think you should be ok. If it were me, I would gets some chains and try it. If they rub, you need more space. If not, your good to go.

always use chain tighteners!

 

[mikester]

I recommend getting the euro style chains over ladder chains.

 

[Bill in the U.P.]

Looks like I can widen it with the tire/wheel reconfiguration. A buddy offered to help and has done it before (in reality I’ll be helping him!). The chains I’m going to order are the studded (euro?) style. Plan to pull the trigger on them today.

 

[JerryMT]

I did a couple of searches on here about chains. I have a hilly mile of dirt and gravel drive to keep open here in Northern Michigan. We had a heavy and dense 12" drop last Saturday. I pulled the trigger on a 7' blade for the front that is scheduled to arrive mid-January. I have a snow pusher on the front now and a 7' blower on the rear of my L4630 GST. I couldn't make it up one of my hills Saturday and got stuck a couple of times. I want to order some rear chains and could use some advice about getting a set of duo H grip chains or the more aggressive (and expensive) doo H grip with V bar? I have not used chains before. Will the "standard" chains do or does it sound like I need more aggressive V bar chains. Thanks for any feedback.

https://www.tractortirechains.com/Tractor-Tire-Chain-DUO-p/duo263.htm

Duo Grip H-Pattern V-Bar Tractor Tire Chains | Tire Chains 'R' Us

Shop Duo Grip H-Pattern V-Bar Tractor Tire Chains. Free shipping on orders over $75. Image is for reference only, tire/wheel/rubber tensioners not included. Chains only. Chains are sold in pairs (2 chains) and will cover two tires..

www.tirechainsrus.com

If you have R-1 ag tires, don't get ladder chains. they fall between the lugs and a e useless. Get the Duo-Trac. Whether to get them with V-bars or not depends on the conditions you are operating in. V-bars are generally used for icy conditions. You maybe able to put spacers under your fender mounts to raise them for clearance issues.

 

[Dave_eng]

If you get studded chains invest in the TRYGG tensioning tool, aka a jack.

For two years I did without and when I got it I felt I had a gorilla helping me.

Chains are snug fit when installed as manufacturer recommends.

There are actually three similar jacks as shown below.

TRYGG
Dave

 

[Henro]

If you get studded chains invest in the TRYGG tensioning tool, aka a jack.

For two years I did without and when I got it I felt I had a gorilla helping me.

Chains are snug fit when installed as manufacturer recommends.

There are actually three similar jacks as shown below.

Edit: I don't recall for sure, but think he used ladder chains...

View attachment 72324
TRYGG
Dave

You know, I keep thinking about my neighbor, who passed away a while ago. He had a tractor with ample clearance for chains.

He ran his chains loose. They would fall on the ground in front of his tires, as the tires turned. This did two things. It caused impacted snow to fall off his ag tires, and laid fresh chain on the ground for the tires to ride over, before lifting that chain off the ground for a repeat of the sequence.

I never concluded which way is better. But he had a 2WD tractor and never got stuck.

Edit: I believe he used ladder chains...

 

[Bill in the U.P.]

Tractortirechains.com

part #ST14928-08

How do these look to you folks with experience? Under $700 for the pair. They are made in China.