Chains Won’t Fit

[HamptonT 33]

Hello all. I have a 314-8 and I use it to plow the driveway in the winter here in MN. I tried to put chains on it last year and the wouldn’t fit. The spacing between the fender and the tire was too tight and the chains rubbed on the fenders. Not good. I have two options that I can think of. One is to shim up the rear fender pan to gain more  space. The other is use a spare set of rims I have and put a dedicated set of chain tires on them. What would you do? Is there a tire that works well with chains?

Thanks. 

[ZXT 2,401]

8 minutes ago, HamptonT said:

Hello all. I have a 314-8 and I use it to plow the driveway in the winter here in MN. I tried to put chains on it last year and the wouldn’t fit. The spacing between the fender and the tire was too tight and the chains rubbed on the fenders. Not good. I have two options that I can think of. One is to shim up the rear fender pan to gain more  space. The other is use a spare set of rims I have and put a dedicated set of chain tires on them. What would you do? Is there a tire that works well with chains?

Thanks. 

What size tires do you have? That's likely where your issue lies.

[HamptonT 33]

16 minutes ago, ZXT said:

What size tires do you have? That's likely where your issue lies.

They are 23 x 9.5 Carlisle Turf Masters. That’s the stock tire size. I wonder if the turf masters run big?

Edited October 30, 2019 by HamptonT

[troutbum70 858]

I am thinking your chains have the ice cleats on them, I would opt for the larger wheels/tires and shim up the seat pan about a half inch and get out there and have fun in the snow.

[Pullstart 67,066]

9 hours ago, troutbum63 said:

I am thinking your chains have the ice cleats on them, I would opt for the larger wheels/tires and shim up the seat pan about a half inch and get out there and have fun in the snow.

 

@HamptonT I agree with @troutbum63 here.  I feel like you’d be further ahead keeping the chains and tires you have and raising the seat pan for clearance.  

 

@Lee1977 has some pictures and a description of raising his seat up if you click the link:

 

 

[Lee1977 7,224]

2 hours ago, pullstart said:

 

@HamptonT I agree with @troutbum63 here.  I feel like you’d be further ahead keeping the chains and tires you have and raising the seat pan for clearance.  

 

@Lee1977 has some pictures and a description of raising his seat up if you click the link:

 

 

There area couple of pictures . I used 1/8" x 2" flat across under the front seat and gas tank bracket with short pieces of 2" channel to raise it. I also used 1/8" x 1 1/2" supports under the shiftier plate  to reinforce it.  I used a short piece of 4" channel with some 5/16" plate on top of the transmission and added the receiver hitch to that.

 

[Pullstart 67,066]

@Lee1977  what was the pex used for in the first picture?

[Lee1977 7,224]

The winch wires run through it to the battery. It run all the way through the steering tower. Didn't trust the HF wires around moving objects with out some protection.  It has it's own breaker on the positive side, don't know if it works. I disconnect the ground wire when not in use as it will drain the battery. It pulls around 10 ma when not in use.

[HamptonT 33]

So. I made another attempt to mount the chains. It wasn’t the fenders that were rubbing. It’s the inside fender support. The rims on it must not be stock. I compared them to the other set of rims and the other set sit outward further from the hub. Now....my least favorite job. Swapping tires! I can usually do it but I always get hung up on breaking the beads....

[troutbum70 858]

Lay them down and drive on the side of tire if you have another tractor or a vehicle if no other tractor.

[tom2p 2,394]

can also break tire bead with a floor jack, tie down strap, small piece of 4x4 wood or similar  

 

or floor jack and two tie down straps 

 

[rjg854 12,256]

There's a couple easy ways to break tire beads:

 

place a piece of lumber on the tire perpendicular to the rim and drive a vehicle on the board

 

use a hydraulic jack between the tire and the bumper of a truck or something that won't give to much

 

both ways have worked well for me atleast 

 

[Lee1977 7,224]

I had a 8" 2 ply on my 520 that nothing would break it loose. It was glued in place I cut it off and use my side grinder on the tire bead to get it off. Then spent a couple of hours sanding the glue of the rim.

[andyk 83]

I went with 8.50 wide tires when it was time for replacement. There were signs of chain wear on the fender supports when i bought it,and I wanted plenty of room for installation and removal.

I didn't notice any change while mowing. 

[wallfish 18,244]

Even cheaper with a 20% off coupon.

https://www.harborfreight.com/manual-tire-changer-69686.html?_br_psugg_q=tire+changer

 

Or use spacers to offset the rims which need to be a little farther out. You'll probably need longer bolts to replace 7/16" fine thread lug bolts to make up for the spacer.

[HamptonT 33]

Well. I got the tires mounted on the other rims. The rims that were on it were can-ams. Got the chains on and they clear just fine. The chains I had were off an old Honda ATC. They have the cleats on them. Might be a little too aggressive.... it rides pretty rough. It’ll probably climb a tree.

Anyone got a source for some more appropriate chains? Maybe more cross links per revolution to smooth out the ride. I have a flat driveway so I don’t need anything real aggressive. 

[wallfish 18,244]

1 hour ago, HamptonT said:

Anyone got a source for some more appropriate chains? Maybe more cross links per revolution to smooth out the ride. I have a flat driveway so I don’t need anything real aggressive. 

Those are 4 link spaced chains which give a rough ride. Buy some 2 link chains you'll notice the difference right away. Shop around and you might find the less expensive

 

https://www.amazon.com/SUNBELT-Tire-Chain-Link-Spacing/dp/B00EIL4UZI/ref=pd_sbs_86_t_2/134-5562520-8220452?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00EIL4UZI&pd_rd_r=489170da-8b26-4469-a25c-7a8b75d3fb0d&pd_rd_w=pVBEr&pd_rd_wg=st3tN&pf_rd_p=5cfcfe89-300f-47d2-b1ad-a4e27203a02a&pf_rd_r=908GVDANRAGBEPBGRYN4&psc=1&refRID=908GVDANRAGBEPBGRYN4

Edited November 17, 2019 by wallfish

[chalupaalien 0]

On 11/17/2019 at 9:18 AM, andyk said:

I went with 8.50 wide tires when it was time for replacement. There were signs of chain wear on the fender supports when i bought it,and I wanted plenty of room for installation and removal.

I didn't notice any change while mowing. 

 

 

What tires are those?  the tread pattern looks aggressive but not like a mud tire.  I have been looking for an 8.5 wide replacement for my 314-8 so I can still run my v-0bar chains too.

[andyk 83]

On 4/23/2020 at 8:42 PM, chalupaalien said:

I picked them up from flea bay. I think they are standard turf tread.  

 

What tires are those?  the tread pattern looks aggressive but not like a mud tire.  I have been looking for an 8.5 wide replacement for my 314-8 so I can still run my v-0bar chains too.