Narrowing up tractor chains

[rockyridgefarm]

This kinda sucks. The chains are tired. I had used them on my 4640, and now they are getting demoted to my 2030, going from an 18.4 tire to a 16.9 tire, so two links needed to go.

Ellie wants to help.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

This is my jig to spread the links. And a pic to show how worn the rings are.

 

[Janicholson]

Imagine making chin mail armor, then relax into it, realizin the task is one percent of that task on rings that are big enough to handle. Good task for a cold day (assumes you are inside) Jim
ring based armor

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Woah you meant out of the WIDTH? That's a lot of work.

Those are 11-ring cross chains, which are correct for 13.6-15.5 width tires.

They should work just fine on your 16.9's as-is. I'm surprised you could keep them on the 18.4's.

18.4 width tires should have 13-ring chains, and 20.8 15-ring.

https://lacledechain.com/tire-chain-specs/

The model 0787 are for 18.4x34 or 16.9x38.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

They are now 11, but they were 13 yesterday.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

You did a heck of a job. I can't even tell they've been spliced.

 

[miangus]

I have found if you drive a punch in the edge link it can be pried open and then hammered back shut. I usually am trying to add links.

 

[Aaron SEIA]

I think I'd have just rolled them further down the sidewall and ran them.
AaronSEIA

 

[Tim in New York]

I ordered new chains for my little Kubota and they came in way too long. They were the duo chains that the cross links hooked into a big ring in the center of the chain - so 4 hooks for each cross piece. I had to cut off about 18 in the side chains, which meant removing 2 of the 6 cross pieces. I ended up ordering a long handled tool that would open the hooks and then re-close them. Made quick work of it since I ended up moving all the cross pieces closer so I could still use all 6 of them. About $80 I think for the tool, but no way I could have done it with anything I had on hand. Nice set of chains now.

https://www.zoro.com/westward-chain-repair-plier-32-4564-in-l-45ff36/i/G3112299/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=surfaces&utm_campaign=shopping%20feed&utm_content=free%20google%20shopping%20clicks&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI682R2NON_AIVB7LICh0vfwhhEAQYASABEgJPCvD_BwE


Tim