Time to chain up

Due to the extremely wet spring and summer we had, we were unable to get into a portion of the woods. Now is the time, I think, to get in there and get out what we need. Kicking around the idea of tire chains for the WD, we may be working well into the winter.

Any experience or advice? Reputable place to buy them? Anybody got a used set they no longer use?

I am leaning toward logging chains with the huge links, not the worthless lawnmower ones that are made from the same chain as my dog tie-out.

Pretty sure they are 14.9X28's.

Thanks in advance.

I have been fortunate to pick up some tire chains for my WD at farm sales for not a lot of money - like $55/pair.  Hope you can do the same.  Terry

had a set of bear paws on my wd 45 worked great, sorry sold them a few years ago.  I have double link chains on my d14.  they are bigger rings in the cross links so the chains don't just slide into the tread.  I always let some of the air out of my tires, put the chains on and air them back up, that keeps them tighter so they don't slip off.

Used them on the 170 plowing snow.  Found that I needed to use some wire to tie the outside latch  closed so it doesn;t come loose.  Not much fun when it lets go on the outside, and wraps around the axle a few times before getting under the tire and bringing the whole thing to a sudden stop.  

Edited by Reindeer - 21 Nov 2017 at 5:58pm

I bought a used set once and spent more time repairing them than anything. Finally bought a set to fit what I have. Don't remember where I ordered them though. Get the most aggressive ones you can.

Well, turns out the tires on the WD are 13.6-28s. Someone said they have a set off of 13.6-38s. Can't a guy just cut them to size? Then you would even have some extra cross chains on hand. Is there a known "size" for tire chains? I guess the width should be correct, but is there a certain length you can cut them to for starters, or do you just throw them on and cut to fit? This is definitely a case of " measure twice and cut once."

Thanks for the help guys. I really want a set of bear paws, but the only thing more aggressive than the chains is the price tag!

Edited by littlemarv - 23 Nov 2017 at 5:10am

Used to HAVE to put them on the Fire trucks EVERY year.  Actually ON and OFF, numerous times during the winter.  If it was snowing, we had to put em on.  After the plows came through, take them off.  I don't miss those days!!

Yes you can cut them down.  The side to side is the important part.  They outer rings should come down to the center of the tire, on both sides.  The length is something you can play with over time and get right.  ALWAYS leave some extra side links because some tires have higher tread than others and you'll be too short if you cut them exact for the tires you have.

IMPORTANT: wire up the extra side pieces and yes, as Reindeer says, wire the latch closed.  We always did both to the tires on the Fire Trucks.  We had a spring gizmo that kept the outside side links tight too.  Now I use ratchet straps.  Those cheapy ones from Harbor Freight work just fine.  You don't want them TOO tight.  Others have used Bungee straps.

I'm leaving in a couple of hours to head up to the farm for the weekend of deer hunting Ryan, so I'll measure my chains up there and send you a PM on the sizes.  That'll give you a starting place.  Got a big bolt cutters?  Also the "pliers" for working on chains is about 30-36" long.

when you cut the links your gonna need either an "add a link" or do what I do, use a link I cut and weld it shut.

Cut off wheel on a 4 1/2" grinder makes short work of cutting them to length.

When my Dad got his 5230 Duetz Allis with turf tires, I made a set of chains for him out of used road grader chains I got from a friend. Took 3 chains to make a pair.

If they are too narrow Ryan they will tend to slip off the tread and then you've got problems.  They should fit AT LEAST 1/4 of the sidewall from the tread.  I hope you get lucky!  That's a good price.  Actually not a bad price even if you had to buy come extra cross links and put em in.  Course I don't know what it costs for extra cross links to add on.

Well, I tried that set of chains, they are too narrow. When installed, the side chains are pretty close to the end of the lugs, and I'm sure they will slip off. So, I returned them to the guy and said thanks, but no thanks.

Edited by littlemarv - 07 Dec 2017 at 4:57pm

Daddy is a smart man.

Yep, shouldn't be too much work to cut a couple of the rings out and make them fit.
BUT,,,,,,,,what if in two years you find that D-17 with the 14.9s or 16.9s on it??  If it ain't broke, don't fix it......

Sometimes it is best to not over think things and just go with it.