making tire chains, need sizing info

cub149 · #1 01-29-2010, 07:31 PM

Well now that I have the plow working I need a set of chains. My tires are 23 x 10.50 x 12. I have some odd sized tire chains that I am going to modify to fit these tires. I need to know how many sections of chains I need that go across the tire tread and how long they are. I can figure out the length that goes around the tire if I know the width of the sections. Or if someone know this off hand that would be a big help.

Rhoderman · #2 01-29-2010, 08:06 PM

It isn't easy, but if you have a decent vise, a good prybar, a six-pack, and a lot of patience, I'd suggest adding cross links so they're on every other link (you have every 4th one I believe). This will bring them a lot closer and they will fit and look better.
I can't think of a better way than trial and error. Lots of bungee cords to hold it temporarily while you're test fitting them. It might even be handy to take the wheel off the rim to get a good fit. Your crosslink should be centered across the tread so your inner and outer chains are the same length.
Don't cut the final length until you are absolutely sure you have it right. You can't add chain easily. They make those rubber "chain tighteners" but you don't need them if your chains fit well.
Good Luck, and post pics of how it turns out!

edw · #3 01-29-2010, 08:39 PM

I have been thinking of cutting strips of rubber from a tire tread for cross "chains". Has anyone tried that before?

cub149 · #4 01-29-2010, 09:33 PM

So much for retrofitting these. The steel is brittle and when I try to open a link up the link breaks. I thought about maybe welding the links to the side chains? I'm out of acetylene so I can't try to heat them to open them. Any thoughts?
How well will just the tires work in 8 inches of snow? I have a set that is loaded and could put them on.

Yosemite Sam · #5 01-29-2010, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cub149

The steel is brittle and when I try to open a link up the link breaks. How well will just the tires work in 8 inches of snow? I have a set that is loaded and could put them on.

Some of the guys claim that they do well with loaded ags with no chains. I dunno, all mine have chains. I don't think you'll go very far with loaded turfs...

I find it odd that the hooks on your cross links are breaking, I've never had one do that.

The hooks on your cross links should be far enough around on the sidewalls of your tires so that they never touch the ground (they aren't as hard as the rest of the cross link). The shorter your cross links are the longer your side chains will be, therefore you can put more cross links on each set. 4 link chains make for a really bumpy ride especially when the cross links are too long for the tire, causing them to be spaced really far apart, I think all of mine have 22 or 23 cross links per tire and it makes no difference what width the tire is as long as the cross links are the right length for the width of the tire.

NOW, that should be about as clear as mudd!

cub149 · #6 01-29-2010, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yosemite Sam

I find it odd that the hooks on your cross links are breaking, I've never had one do that.
NOW, that should be about as clear as mudd!

Not muddy at all

I was surprised they where breaking to but they are. I took four cross links off and all but two didn't break and my guess is when I go to bend them back in place the ones that didn't break will likely break. These are very old chains and rusty at that. But I don't think the rust is the problem. I will try to find a set tomorrow, I really want to try this thing out.

Yosemite Sam · #7 01-30-2010, 01:22 AM

You can buy the hooks by themselves if that's any help.

Matt G. · #8 01-30-2010, 06:59 AM

Sometimes those hooks are hardened, too. Also, only spread it open as far as you have to...if you open it up too far, it'll probably break even if it isn't hardened.

cub149 · #9 01-30-2010, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt G.

Sometimes those hooks are hardened, too. Also, only spread it open as far as you have to...if you open it up too far, it'll probably break even if it isn't hardened.

I realize that, but they where breaking before they where wide enough to take off. I will try to buy some hooks or see if anyone here carries chains today.

cub149 · #10 01-30-2010, 10:16 AM

"We don't need no stinking chains" Well actually that would be a HUGE help but I was able to get the main part done without the chains. Yes, I gave up on them for now. This is what I managed to do to about 5 inches of snow with just loaded tires. Not to bad but I did have to get off and give it a little hand push out of the snow bank a few times. Thanks for all the help on the chain fiasco. I will figure something out, either get some end links or buy a new set.
Just curious also about hills. How steep of a drive would you take your Cub with snow chains? My front drive is fairly steep. I was thinking if I went down hill that if I lost traction the snow pile on front of the blade would stop me. Any thoughts?