Tire Chain question for Allen and the group

I gave up on getting the auction chains to fit the Farmall M. They weren't quite wide enough to make me comfortable. I ordered a new $et from tirechains.com, and put them on today (It's 25 F today, figured I'd get them on before it gets cold).

I'm not real happy with how tight I'm getting them, but I've used up all the extra chain (any tighter I'll be hooking inside the first cross chain). The tires are 15.5-38s, I'm guessing that they don't make a different size for every tire, and mine is at the small side of the range?

If I hook them outside the first cross chain, I can make them tight enough that they won't fall off (by stretching pulling the slop to the outside with chain stretchers and tarp straps). Then they sound and feel looser than I'd expect (but I know nothing about tractor chains, on a car/truck they'd be way too loose). I can pull out on the side chain and get my whole hand inside (between side and tire) anywhere I try--isn't that too loose? They sound much looser than car chains, but I'm closer to them and I guess (do to tread design) they need to be a little looser to work right. Am I way off base?

If I were to hook inside of the cross chain (these are the duo-grip, with a square on the tread and 4 corner chains going to the side chains--thissquare is also to the outside, but still on the tread as installed now), I guess I could just start to wrap them around again and hook the extra, but I expected with "custom" chains to not have to do this.

Also, what's the best way to put them on? I run over the end of the chain, the throw the rest over the tire and hook it. Easy on a car/truck, lots of chain to hunch over with a tractor. Throw it up, pin it to the tire with my chest, grab another handful and throw it higher. On a warm day with brand new chains, no problem. With the old chains on a cold day I'd get covered with rust and colder. Is this the best way? No big deal really, it's not that hard and I only figure to do it once a year, but if there's a better (and/or easier) way I'd be glad to hear it.

Are there other options to lapping the cross-chain over? Like use a couple of temporary links to shorten the side chain between 2-3 of the cross links around the tire (same place on both sides)? any other wisdom?

I like the way these fit much better than the auction chains. I already put time and money into making the auction chains long enough before I chickened out on the width. They were barely as wide as the tread, so (If I cut all of the tarp straps) I could probably work them off of the tire w/out unlatching the side chains. I figured with no fenders I didn't want them flying off.

Thanks all for the advice on installing them also. I'll try jacking it up and spinning the tire next time--I'll let you know which was easier.

Thanks again,

Bob

Heck, I didn't know there was a right or wrong way to put the dudes on. :>)

I just 'back-lapped' the darned things and cinched 'em down. I think one size probably fits 3 or 4 tire sizes.

I know one thing, livin' up in these hills sure made a believer outta me. Between the live hydraulics, power steering, the chains and calcium chloride, it made an absolute little "badger" outta this old tractor! It goes like a darned mountain goat. :>)

I’ve got a neighbor over across the west ridge who just leaves his chains on year around.

Allan

I have no idea what is right, but ours were always loose & sloppy, so the chain would lay down on the ice first and then the tire would drive on the chain. Tight was not a good idea on a tractor with the deep lugs - the chain would just settle in the lugs & be pointless.

--->Paul

Seems like you could cut the first cross chain off and solve your problem. However, I am anxious to hear advice from others.

As for putting the chains on, you have two choices, drive over like you did or jack it up.

Dug

I ran chains on this tractor for 20 years. I bought themused and they were way to big. I always used just the nylon rope and tightend it 1 a year. Never had any problems. If you are useing new chains they are going to get loose more and more as you drive. Just keep tightening until you are happy.