Ring type chains compared to standard.

[dmiller]

I aquired 2 sets of chains this year for a 28 inch tire (came with a ford tractor I plan to fix and resell). I plan to sell one with the tractor and keep one (to cut down and put on a 24 inch tire on my Farmall A)
Is there one type of chain that is better than the other???? Which one would you keep and why?
 

[chevytaHOE5674]

If by regular you mean ladder chains then they aren't very good on Ag tires. The single "ladder" cross links tend to fall down between the lugs and not provide much traction.

A ring chain helps keep the cross links up on top of the tire lugs giving you better traction.
 

[Ken Macfarlane]

What type of ring chains? Here ring chains means circular corks that are laid on the tread about 6" to 12" diameter with 4 cork studs per ring. They have massive traction in all conditions but destroy roads and paved surfaces. They also tear the heck out of dirt roads.

They are best used in the woods nowadays.
 

[ss55]

Could you post a picture of the chains (spread out) so we can see what two type of chains you have to choose from?

You could search online through some tire chain retailer's or manufacture's catalogs to help you identify what types you have and the best applications for each.

Three inch diameter ring chains are more expensive, but IMHO they grip and wear better than standard X or H pattern chains.
 

[JD Seller]

I believe that he is meaning these type when he talks about "ring chains".

dmiller I have had sets of the chains like those in the picture. They are usually called double ring chains here. They do seem to bite better but they are weaker because the thickness of the rings is less. I have broken them on larger tractors. On your Farmall "A" they would not have that issue. .

 

[Bret4207]

Double ring chains work way better than ladder type. Way, way, way, way better.
 

[55deere70]

I have a set of those double ring chains on my 2wd Case 680E. The only time I have broken them is on rocks. They work very good on snow, ice and mud. Self cleaning too. I just used a cold shut to connect the few cross links that I broke. Best chains for the money IMO.
 

[D7fever]

If you are talking about the "canadian ring chains", where the rings are around 10 inches in diameter, I would stick with those, unless you do a lot of road travel. I had a set on my Farmall H, drove around the woods in 24 " of snow like there was none. Why not keep both.... Use them as needed.
 

[MSS3020]

I use chains on my 3020 tractor in the winter to get around mine are not double but single BIG RING chains. RIngs are like 3" and have a warped look to them BUT I DONT GET STUCK..and I go places I prob shouldnt.. ha ha.. HOWEVER going down a road is a very bumpy and hard ride..
 

[Ken Macfarlane]

These style are what is common on older tractors here except the old ones have sharper points on the rings.

http://canadianchainsusa.com/forestry.aspx
 

[dmiller]

Thanks for the replies and for the most part common advice.

As most on here have called them I believe a double ring, would be a better name for them than what I used.

I probably don't need them at all since I hardly move the A in the winter. Usually I use a JD A with a loader on it and between the loader weight and the wheel weights I don't have problems.

Thanks again to all.
 

[RodinNS]

'Ring' chains are most generally a chain that has a 'ring' pad with cleats, about 6-8" in diameter fixed in the center of the tread. They're a great chain to bite. They're NOT a chain you want on asphalt.
I don't know what the proper term is for the chains pictuered below... mabey they are called ring or double ring chains... but in the most convention sense 'ring' chains are as I described above.

Rod
 

[Brian in MA]

We always called the ones you describe as Canadian ring chains. They are almost always seen on skidders around here. And they are just as damaging to a tractor fender as they are to asphalt.
 

[RodinNS]

LOL. The fender? Keep them tight and they're not bad. They are mostly used or were used on forestry gear around here as well... but a good many were used on farm tractors. Farm versions would use 3/8" or 1/2" side chain and connectors. Forestry chain uses at least 5/8" side... They've mostly gone the way of the dodo on forestry stuff tho... spur chain or bogie tracks are the big thing in as much as there's anything big in the woods now around here.

Rod