I have read countless threads on forums like this, and watched countless videos of guys struggling for HOURS to put on a simple pair of tire chains.
They make the job WAY TOO HARD. Working with Dad we could put a set of chains on a tractor in 10-15 minutes. I did it myself for the first time here around New Years and I don't think it took me much, if any, longer.
Get the chain laid out flat with all the twists out of it. Back up to the chain with the tractor. Take the end of the chain and throw it up on the back of the tire as high as you can. Once you get above the axle the chain will hang on a lug by the first cross chain. Make sure the cross chain hooks are facing away from the tire, hooking "out." If not you gotta flip the chain over and do it again.
Once you have the chain hanging on the tire, get on the tractor and slowly drive forward. It helps to have someone spreading the chain over the tire as you drive, but you can jump off 1-2 times and do it yourself without losing much time. Keep going until the chain comes around under the tire.
Attach the side chains as tight as you can get them. Inside first, then outside. Try to hook them in the same link on both. They usually won't be as tight as they can possibly be, that comes next.
Get back on the tractor and drive around a bit. This will get the chain distributed over the tire evenly and you'll probably be able to gain an additional link or two of tightness in the side chains. Again, shorten the inside first and then the outside. Why? Because you can grab the outside chain and really "reef" on it to pull the slack out.
We have never felt the need for the "spiders" to tighten the chains.
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