tractor chain installation

[KENWORTH]

need some advice on installing a set of rear tractor tire chains on a 620 jd. 13.6-38's these are used and the previous owner said they fit on a 630 jd. any tips or secrects that may aid me in the installation process. thanking you in advance. bruce

 

[johns48jdb]

lay them down and drive up middle ways and then latch on. they may fit and may not depending on the dia of the tire they were bought for. i think there is away to put them on right and it has to do with the latch facing a certain way, but going slow i doubt if it makes a difference. what ever you need the chains for, just keep that where your at and don't send it south.

 

[DONMYEIL]

I havent done this for awhile. I put the chains on the tire(make sure the hooks are facing the right way and the cross bars have the correct side up as they can dig into the tire if upside down. ) remove any tangles and the spaces are right. Then drive forward just enough to hook the inside first , then hook the outside pulling any slack out you can. You might have to rehook the inside again , tie any loose ends with wire so they dont flop. tighten every now and then as needed.Another way is to lay the chains on the ground and drive over them, then hook them.

 

[JMS/.MN]

You want the closed side of the latch to contact the ground first when going forward, since that is the way you usually drive. But since they are on the side of the tire, they normally stay closed.

 

[Bob M]

I must install chains on 3 or 4 tractors several times each winter. This method I’ve found works pretty well:

----

Sort out any tangles in the chain. Then spread them out on the ground so they are centered on and in front of the rear tires. If the cross chains have V-bars make sure all the V bars are all are facing down.

Move the tractor forward onto the chains so both tires are sitting between about the 2nd and 3rd cross chains. Now take a short length of nylon rope or a STIFF bungee, attach one end to the side chain at the first cross chain. Then loop it through the wheel and fasten the other end to the opposite side chain. Goal is to get the 1st cross pulled tight as possible across the tire tread. (Got solid center wheels? Then use a rope/bungee on both sides and fasten the free ends to the axle.)

Now move the tractor ahead about 3 cross chains. Stop and center each cross chain on the tread as required. Then move ahead another 3 cross chains, stop and re-center the cross chains as required. Repeat until the chains fully wrapped onto the tires.

If you’ve done it right the side chain ends will now mate up with their connector links with little or no tugging. Then remove the bungees or ropes and close the connector links.

Finally if you have them, attach your chain tensioners to the side chains on the outside of each wheel.

----

With a little practice (and with the aid of an assistant!) I can mount a set of chains onto 38” tires in about 10 minutes.

 

[johns48jdb]

Sometimes i jump in to fast, but i wonder if the guy who made the post is in a hurry or not, so i give things my best shot. Thanks for cleaning up after me. I'm on 02 24/7 and have a fatal lung disease and the 02 isn't gtting to my brain as it should. Hope every body will bear with me.

 

[buickanddeere]

Check, check and check again that every link is laying parallel and without twists.
If the chains are installed upside down the 1st cross chain link ends can dig into the tires.
Tighten. Drive a few feet slowly.Tighten again. Drive a few feet.Keep tightening. Try a trip down the road and you will find the chains loose and wanting to go sideways. Tighten again.
I use those threaded join links to fasten down the loose ends of the chain. #1 To keep the free end of the chain from flailing fenders,lights, loader frames,hands etc. #2 In case a factory side joiner fails, the chains will stay on.

 

[willie in mn]

My method is similar to Bob, but jack the wheel up & roll it by hand, adjusting the chain as i go.
Saves jumping up to the seat several times, & can do it inside my small shop out of the weather.
Just another method, works for me.
Willie

 

[buickanddeere]

johns48jdb

You are in the thoughts and prayers of the ytmag members.

 

[Erik B]

I have to chime in with a vote for Willie"s method of jacking up one side at a time and installing the chains. If you do that, you can putz around and get them super tight (which is the key to long chain life) way easier than if the chains are pinned to the ground.