Tip for putting on tire chains

[Bunchgrass]

I figured I throw this out there as it was a godsend to me when trying to put heavy chains on my tractor tires. I saw the video on Youtube from a commercial tire chain place in Norway.

Lay out the chains directly behind the wheels as close as possible to the tire and with the surface you want to end up in contact with the ground facing up. Using some heavy twine tie onto the leading edge of one side chain and run the twine through/around the wheel and attach to the other side chain. Do the same for the other wheel. Then drive forward slowly and the chains will feed themselves onto the wheel. Stop once or twice as you move forward to align/adjust the chain positions on the tire and attach the connectors when the leading edge has made it just beyond the rear of the tire. Much easier than trying to lift a heavy chain and set it on a tire.

Much easier to do than to explain.

 

[383]

Thanks for the tip, seems like it should work. I'm going to try it next time.

 

[Higgins]

Try a bungee cord, they work great!

 

[WoodsTruck]

If you get on and off the tractor to help align the chain, have a block of wood for each tire to park on when you get the chain where you want it. It allows the cross links to get pulled under the lugs easier so the chains are tighter the first time.

 

[Bunchgrass]

Not the video I saw but a variation on the concept.

 

[mark#3]

I laid the chains out flat, drove the vehicle so the tire was a little past the center then stopped.pulled the chains up over the tire, then hooked them up
Then I took some #4 copper wire tied it across vertically/horizontially, took a big screwdriver, put it in the cross section, twisted the copper wire to tightened up the chains on the tire.This was while working for a power line const. contractor in the backhills of Oklahoma near Cookson.
So I was making do with what I had.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I figured I throw this out there as it was a godsend to me when trying to put heavy chains on my tractor tires. I saw the video on Youtube from a commercial tire chain place in Norway.....

Do you have a link to the video???
Thanks!

 

[juddspaintballs]

Put a jack under the axle, jack the wheel off the ground, install chain. Am I missing something here?

 

[gnpenning]

Some are confusing putting chains on a light duty vehicle with a larger vehicle. How I put chains on my pickup and my tractor with 6' tall tires are a little different or even 3 rail chains on my heavy duty trucks. Letting the vehicle put the chain on for you saves the back.

 

[juddspaintballs]

My tractor rear tires are only 5' tall but I'd still jack them up to put chains on.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you are going to leave chains on for any length of time (like on a tractor/back hoe), bungee cord/rubber straps just don't cut it for tensioning the chains. Spend the money and get all metal snow chain tensioners !



WARNING ! On the larger size tensioners, you absolutely need an installation tool !

 

[LB-1911]

Do you have a link to the video???
Thanks!

Give this one a look -
Installing Trygg Ice and Forestry Chains on the Tractor

 

[Bretny]

I have had chains on my 1957 ford for about 6yrs. The only tensioners I have used where the ones that are built into the chains. I had to tighten them up by one link a few years ago. I think they have been off once.

I always put chains on, drive a bit then re tighten them. You will almost never get them on perfect the first shot.