Tire chain tension

[rparkinson]

I have a new set of chains for my L3200- front and back- how tight should I run them on the front so they dont walk? I have never run fronts myself, but I hear that can be a problem. I think it will work good up here in maine. I am on the coast so we get alot of wet heavy snow and ice....

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Tight, One trick to use, put the chains on and tighten run it around a little to set the chains, deflate the tires down to about 5 psi, retighten 1 link air tires back up to max pressure.
Also use high quality rubber tensioners on the outside, it's always better to have a set of chains come off to the outside rather than the inside.

 

[rparkinson]

Wow, that was fast... boy thanks alot for the tip- I will do just that. I will get some good tensioners coming from my tire guy tomorrow...

 

[Orange Tractors]

I have never ran chains on the front of a tractor; but I have ran chains on several pickups, including the front of four wheel drives. I never bothered buying the actual chain tensioner, and never had a problem.

What I do is mount the chain (preferably before you are in mud and stuck) hook the inside adjuster one link shorter than the outside and use rubber tarp bungee cord to tension. Then drive on it for a short distance before tightening with the outside chain.

Rig the bungee cord in a figure four and it works very well.

Robert

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I used to do the same thing, but now I can get the "proper" chain tensioners at cheaper prices than the bungees.

 

[rparkinson]

Yeah, same here. I work at a vw garage and sell tires to the general public so I get a pretty good rake on tires, chains, etc.