lifting advice

[mtd49 0]

Hey all

I recently bought a 18 automatic.Real good shape (nervous about trans Reputation)but I'm gonna use and enjoy the old gal. Question is gonna need Chains for winter and not sure best method of jacking the tractor up. Don't want to break things

[Molon_Labe 731]

The best method I know is to lay out the chains and drive halfway over them, pull the ends together and secure. It's always worked for me. No need to jack.

Edited September 3, 2014 by M_Bailey

[AMC RULES 37,196]

             

[Hodge71 665]

You can do as you feel but I have the same tractor and for my 2 cents. I did both. Last year when I got my chains did the drive over and meet in the middle trick...it worked for a couple storms.....After a HUGE snowfall and tons of plowing feet of snow from my 1/2 mile long drive numerous times over 2 days they were starting to slide awry a bit. Once I got the drive cleared for the last time in that storm I took them off, jacked the tractor up and installed each side over the tire then tensioned them. and reinstalled the tension springs.... I was able to get them much tinter than the drive over method and they never moved again for the remainder of the winter. I will be using option 2 when I get the ole girl ready for the white stuff in November

[Ed Kennell 41,920]

I guess I use a combination of the two methods. I don't jack mine up. I lay the chain out beside the wheel  ,then  pick it up in the middle of the inside chain and position it on the top of the tire.

After centering and adjusting all the cross chains, I roll the tractor forward over the bottom 2-3 cross chains and then fasten the side chains, hooking the inside first.

I don't, but I know some members deflate tires before installing chains, then air up to tighten them.

 

If you do jack up the rear of the tractor, set the jack under one side of the axle housing.  Do not attempt to lift both rear wheels with a jack at the center of the housing.  You may not damage the tractor, but  It will probably fall off the jack as the tractor pivots on the front axle.

Edited September 3, 2014 by ekennell

[mtd49 0]

Thanks always glad for your advice. I prefer to lift the tire off the ground, but, with an Automatic 18 reputation for the trans. I am leerey of doing any external damage. This is regarding the bolts inside not being strong enough. So I will lift it on underside axle housing. Also previous owner chose J.D. Hy Gard trans & hydraulic fluid instead of 10W30 so going to stay with this I suppose. Thanks to some of the best fellas.