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Tire Chain ID & Installation


GLPointon

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I just bought some tires with Chains attached and I saw something I have seen before...Chains attached wrong. see next 3 pics:

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I thought I would show the difference in tire chain types and how to install them snug. (without bungees) for anybody that needs the info...All 3 types below are for 23 x 8.5 x 12 tires.The 2 on the left are "2-link" which means there is a chain cross-bar for every 2 links of length.The right chain is a "4-link" set because there is a cross chain for every 4 links of length.

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This 4-link chain is also a "cleated" chain. It has big cleats on the cross bars to REALLY dig in!

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This chain on the left is a cheap 4-link chain for an MTD (kinda funny)

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These next 9 pics are to show the way 3 different types of chains connect together:

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Now I will show 2 different ways to install tire chains. 1st step always is lay them out neat/untangled

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I roll the tractor onto the chain & grab the chain and roll it up over the rolling tire...

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above; I grab the 2 sides and using a back & forth motion I pull the chain from the top of the tirethen I just "hook" the inside chain to hold it up

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then I pull the slack & connect the outter chain:

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above: once the outter is connected I go back to the inside (below) and connect it

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then using the back & forth pulling motion I work out some slack & connect it again up 1 more link tighter (see the extra link below)

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then back to the outside to do the same...(I'm holding the camera so I cant show the 2 handed back&forth pull to work out the slack very well)

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see the slack above? below I got another link of slack removed

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DONE...nice & snug

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Below is another method to install tire chains...I think its betterThe main difference is that you roll the tire and pull the chains Over the wheel...

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At this point you roll the tire back onto the chains, then connect

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Its easier to connect to the 2nd link this way (gravity helps the slack hang down)

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Then do the same on the inside...2nd link sm01

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I went back to the outter & got another link of slack!!

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DONE...nice and snug! The 1st way I got 1 extra link of slack out and the 2nd way I got 2 links...So I still believe the "over the tire" method is a better way to install your chains nice & tight...Good luck sm01

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Very nice job explaining how to do it right. Your method is exactly how I do the 14.9x28 chains on my WD. The 18.4x38 cross links that I put on dad's big loader tractor I do about the same. Only difference is I'll make a lap of the driveway and can usually get another link out of them.

B110guy

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Aaron that is a very good point...if ever I see much slack while using the tractor I will tighten up another link. Thats a good way to get slack out if needed. sm01

quote:Originally posted by B110guy

Very nice job explaining how to do it right. Your method is exactly how I do the 14.9x28 chains on my WD. The 18.4x38 cross links that I put on dad's big loader tractor I do about the same. Only difference is I'll make a lap of the driveway and can usually get another link out of them.B110guy


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Nice write-up. One other thing I would add is that my 2-link chains fit nice and tight on turfs, but on the ags they slip in between the bars so the overall chain is loose. I just run two sets of tighteners and it's fine. Maybe someday I will shorten them to alleviate the problem.

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:D Greg; instead of rolling the tractor over the chains I jack up the rear end and let the air out of the tires. Pull the chains over tires and connect links tight first time. Air up the tires and you're good to go. I don't add liquid to my tires and with a blower I find that my homemade stinger weight is all I need for traction. I used to also run wheel weights but have found they are not needed on my flat gravel driveway when blowing snow.Nice write up and pics. Thanks. DavedOd
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Dont let the long post fool you...I can have my chains on both tires nice & tight in 15 mins...I dont use fluid either, not needed for snowblowing my level drive & lot.

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quote:Originally posted by GLPointon

Dont let the long post fool you...I can have my chains on both tires nice & tight in 15 mins.


id="quote">
id="quote">I spend more than 15 minutes just swearing.
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great write up but I have to point out that your chains are on up side down the part of the links that go across the tire is supposed to be facing out where it joins the outer link chain that connects all the link chains this way it will not rub against the tires sidewall

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Thanks, I'm aware of that but trust me it doesn't matter...I've been mounting these same chains to the same tires (shown) the same way for 14 years now and there's not a mark on the tires. In fact you could rotate sides to help the chain wear more evenly on both sides... But the "Cleated Tire Chains" ARE directional...of course sm01

quote:Originally posted by sliderxc

great write up but I have to point out that your chains are on up side down the part of the links that go across the tire is supposed to be facing out where it joins the outer link chain that connects all the link chains this way it will not rub against the tires sidewall


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Hey, Greg: I know I don't have to tell you that I just love your writes and your photos and your explains and your tek know-howzz - not to mention your enthusiasm and your willingness to go beyond to help others, and share your experience.

So I won't even mention all that; nor will I apologize for the things I can't find words for, here and now, in this moment. :D

However,

I would like to comment on the uncanny timeliness of THIS post, as I think I finally have some time to do some winter prep starting with tire chains. Woulda, coulda, shoulda had 'em on already, rather than getting stuck in wet muddy stuff, tearing up my lawn, etc.

Right on, bro! And this lil noob needs help - so I WILL SAY that I very much appreciate this thread.

And also thanks to others for their contributions, and constructive criticisms, and experience. There's lots of ways to make it fly. sm01

yeh, Greg, these posts with the same look of all the photos are, for me, like much welcomed meditations. It seems I am on a real spiritual cruise these days - can't explain that kind of stuff really - but it's happening in many things I do. Feel the love, eh! Ooo, yeh. Sometimes I got it; sometimes - I just don't know.

Thank you! If you have any more upcoming, let it rain on me. dOd

Always welcomed. Always appreciated. I know I'm not alone in that! 8)

Myst.

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Very informative write up. I would add, letting the tire pressure down, doing all you have said, and re-filling the tires can make installation easier, a better snug fit in the end, and eliminate at least some of the

quote:I spend more than 15 minutes just swearing.id="quote">
id="quote"> problem I too have had at times. 8D
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Nice article Greg,Here's what I have the best luck with.

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I prefer the bungee straps as tensioners. I need to use a screwdriver and a pair of pliers to hook the outer clasp. I also leave one link hanging both on the outside, and inside of the tire.

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No offense Tim, but the bungees are what I was trying to help avoid. Can't you take up another link and tighten them? That chain looks to have bigger links, I bet if you got some OEM chains you could mount 'em snug without bungees. Unless...are those the earlier narrower tires? chains may not fit those as well..?

(like I said I dont want to offend...just trying to help sm01)

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It seems alot of guys like to let air out to help "tighten up" the chains when re-inflated...I've never done that & didnt know these tires "shrunk" much when deflated but will try it. sm01

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Letting the air out of the tires definitely helps.

I also prefer to jack the tractor up and drape the chains over the top of the tire, instead of driving onto the chains and pulling them up, since gravity's working for me instead of against me. But, I think installing tire chains is like a lot of things; it just boils down to what's the most comfortable for the individual.

For people that like to drive onto the chains, I saw a trick one time that might be of interest. The guy took a piece of 2x10 and screwed pieces of 1x2 at about 2" intervals. When he laid his tire chains on the board, the links fit between the 1x2's. He laid this on the ground, then drove up on it. Then, when he started wrapping the chain over the tire, the tire wasn't sitting directly on the chain. This provided a little "give" so that he could move the chain around on the tire easier. I'd post a pic, but can't find one.

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quote:great write up but I have to point out that your chains are on up side down the part of the links that go across the tire is supposed to be facing out where it joins the outer link chain that connects all the link chains this way it will not rub against the tires sidewallid="quote">
id="quote">

Great timely post!dOd

I'd always heard the same thing, but if you're sidewalls are still looking good, then I wouldn't worry about it.

I also deflate the tire, put the chain on tight, then reinflate. Seems to help quite a bit.

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Chris that is a first. Have never seen that one...heck never even heard of it. But making our work easier is the true mother of invention. I do prefer my 2nd method; pulling the chains over the top of the tires and, like you said, let gravity help. sm01

quote:Originally posted by huffy

I was able to find a pic:


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Anything you ever wanted to know about tire chains is on this website:

http://www.tirechains.com/

I have never bought anything from them, but I've read through all of their info. They recommend the use of chain tighteners in almost all situations for longest chain life and best performance. I bought a pair of chain tighteners this year from Fleet Farm for about 5 bucks. I like them and will continue to use them in the future. Never used them in the past. I always get them installed tightly and use the jack method some of the members described here, but the chain tighteners get ALL of the slack out of the chains.

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I forgot to mention a biggie...Anyone new to tire chains; be sure to store them well or you'll be untangeling them every winter.

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I have been hanging mine up forever and have never had to unravel a pile of chains...Good luck sm01

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