locking rear wheels

[fredwood]

Would it be better to put chains on my B-10 or lock the the rear wheels? Also what might go wrong by doing either? A friend said that the axles will suffer if chains are added. Any expertise would be greatly appreciated. Fred Wood

[UCD]

Fred There is no danger to the axels in putting on chains. By locking the axels it will turn harder if not at all. Plus it is harder on the differential gears.

[CleanBee]

I put chains on, weight the tires and lock the axle. With the axle locked on the older tractors, it adds traction like posi. The twisting stress in only put on the inner solid axel and outer hubs. The differential shouldnt indure any additional stress except for what comes from the added traction.

[thedaddycat]

I can put a set of chains on or off in a minute or two per tire, but have used them year round with no ill effect. What kind of experience does your friend have that would make him think the axles would suffer from chain use? If you mount the chains with the cross chain attaching link hooked ends pointing in toward the tire, the hook ends can cause trie damage over a long period of time.

[fredwood]

Thanks for the info.Not being familiar with the quirks of A/Cs or simplicities, I figured I could get additional info in this club. Thats one of the reasons for joining. I am more knowlegeable on Wheelhorses as I have two of them and my sons have three. All pre 1970. Fred Wood

[MPH]

When I first got my B112 going I had about 30 percent stering ability, learned here the gear in diff was in backwards, had real pos traction, as long as going straight forward was all I needed to do. MPH

[jpknautz]

hey i pushed snow with an open rear with out chains and if you lock the rear you could shear the teeth off the gear in my opinion chains or bar track tires are the way to go.