Tractor Tire Chain Buying Guide
Tractor Tire Chain Buying Guide
Tractor Tire Chains provide extra traction when operating your equipment on hard packed snow, icy or even muddy conditions. The many different styles available offer varying levels of traction, durability, self cleaning and repairability. Because one size chain can fit many different tire sizes, it can be confusing to know what chain styles are available for your tire size and application. As with all the products we sell, Ken Jones Tires wants to make it EASY TO BUY TIRE CHAINS ONLINE…So we put together a tire chain buying guide that should help you choose the right tire chains and also answer most of the frequently asked questions we hear.
If you want to speak with a tire chain expert, our phones, live chat and email sales support is only answered by experienced tire chain experts.
First you need to make sure your tractor has enough clearance for the chain. Clearance requirement will vary for different types of equipment, but we generally recommend 3 inches of clearance. *Pro tip: Usually the clearance issue is on the inner tire sidewall- not usually the fender on top.
Your tire size can be located on the sidewall of the tire. *Keep in mind that one size tire chain will fit multiple different tire sizes.
Hilly, icy, woods and rough terrain may all warrant a different tire chain style. You also need to consider usage requirements. Will the chains be used every time it snows or just for an emergency situation?
Because varying chain styles will sit on the top of the lugs/treads in different ways, knowing what type of tread you are using may determine the style you choose. You can always take a photo of your tire tread and send to it us, if you are not sure.
Durable and light weight – won’t fall in between the lugs. Great for equipment with limited tire clearance. Will not tear up asphalt in driveways and parking lots.
Studded Aquiline Talon Tractor Tire Chains Are Second To None When It Comes To Performance In Severe Winter Conditions With Extreme Ice And Hard Compacted Snow. With Its Square Pattern Cross Chain Design, Talon Studded Tire Chains Provide Exceptional Stability And Prevent The Chain From Falling Down In Between The Lugs Of Your Tires.
Double Ring chains are ideal for use in mud or snow, on or off road and excellent in soft terrain. They feature case hardened double welded rings that rotate, providing extra wear and self-cleaning action.
Heavy Duty (4-LINK) RoadBoss Tractor Tire Chains are ideal for both highway and off road conditions such as general road work and farm work. More economically priced, they are an excellent choice for tractor turf tread tires or tractor tires with worn lugs. Less effective on deep lug tires since the cross chains may slip down between the lugs.
Replace cross chains in minutes while on the road WITHOUT TOOLS – Triple the chain life as the cross chain wears evenly on 4 sides instead of just one.
Designed to prevent the cross chains from dropping between the lugs of the tire tread by adding an interconnected adjacent cross chain. Sit high on the face of the tire and stay on top of the tread lug resulting in superior traction and bite.
V-Bar reinforced cross chains provide increased traction in demanding conditions. Featuring case hardened alloy steel cross chains for long life and dependable performance. 2 Link Spacing between cross chains = double the traction!
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Select Size10-16.5 10-16.5 SkidSteer 10-17.5 10-22.5 10.00-15 10.00-15TR 10.00-16.5 10.00-20 10.00-22 10.25x3.25 10.5/80-18 10/10.5x2.75 10x3.50 11-17.5 11-22.5 11-24.5 11.00-15 11.00-15TR 11.00-16 11.00-20 11.00-22 11.2-16 11.2-20 11.2-24 11.2-28 11.2-32 11.2-34 11.2-36 11.2-38 11.2-44 11L-16 12-22.5 12-24.5 12.00-15 12.00-16.5 12.00-16.5 Skidsteer 12.00-20 12.00-24 12.25x3.50x6 12.4-16 12.4-20 12.4-24 12.4-28 12.4-36 12.4-38 12. 4-40 12.4-42 12.5-20 12.5-22.5 12.5/80-18 12x12 12x3 12x3.50x6 13.00-24 13.00-25 13.50-16.1 13.6-16 13.6-24 13.6-26 13.6-28 13.6-36 13.6-38 13.9-36 13/80-20 13x4.00-6 13x5x6 13x6.50-6 14-17.5 14-17.5 Skidsteer 14.00-20 14.00-21 14.00-24 14.00-25 14.9-24 14.9-26 14.9-28 14.9-30 14.9-38 14.9-46 14/80-20 14x4.00x6 14x4.50-6 15-19.5 15-22.5 15.5-25 15.5-38 15x5.00-6 15x6.00-6 16.00-20 16.00-21 16.00-24 16.00-25 16.5-22.5 16.9-24 16.9-26 16.9-28 16.9-30 16.9-32 16.9-34 16.9-38 16x4.80x8 16x4.8x8 16x6.50x8 16x7.50-8 17.5-24 17.5-25 17.5L-24 18.4-16.1 18.4-24 18.4-26 18.4-28 18.4-30 18.4-34 18.4-38 18.4-42 18.4-46 185-14 18x6.50x8 18x8.5-10 18x8.50x8 18x9.50x8 19.5L-24 195/75-14 195/75-15 20.5-25 20.8-34 20.8-38 205-15 205-16 205/50-17 205/60-17.5 205/65-16 205/70-16 205/75-14 205/75-16 205/80-12 205/80-14 205/80-15 20x10-9 20x10.00-10 20x10.00-8 20x10x8 20x8.00x10 20x8x8 20x9x8 21.5L-16.1 215-14 215/40-18 215/45-18 215/50-17 215/55-17 215/55-18 215/60-17 215/65-15 215/65-16 215/70-15 215/70-16 215/70-17. 5 215/75-14 215/75-15 215/75-17.5 215/80-14 215/80-16 215/85-16 21L-24 21x11.00-8 22.5x10.00-8 220/60-16 220/65-390 225-14 225/35-20 225/40-18 225/45-18 225/45-19 225/55-16 225/55-17 225/55-17.5 225/55-18 225/60-16 225/60-17 225/65-15 225/65-16 225/65-18 225/70-14 225/70-15 225/70-16 225/70-17.5 225/70-19.5 225/70-22.5 225/75-14 225/75-15 225/75-16 225/75-17 22x10-12 22x10-8 22x10x10 22x10x9 22x11.00-8 22x11x10 22x11x8 22x11x9 22x12-8 22x8x11 22x9.00-8 22x9.50-12 23.1-26 23.1-30 23.1-34 23.5-25 23.5x8-11 235/35-19 235/45-17 235/50-17 235/50-18 235/55-16 235/55-17 235/60-15 235/60-17 235/60-18 235/65-17 235/65-18 235/70-14 235/70-15 235/70-16 235/70-17 235/75-15 235/75-16 235/75-17 235/75-17.5 235/80-16 235/80-17 235/80-22.5 235/85-16 23x10-12 23x10.50-12 23x10x10 23x11-10 23x7.50x12 23x8-10 23x8-11 23x8.50-12 23x8.50-14 23x9.50x12 24.5-32 240/45-15 245/35-20 245/40-17 245/40-18 245/45-16 245/45-17 245/50-15 245/50-16 245/50-17 245/55-16 245/55-17 245/60-14 245/65-15 245/65-17 245/70-15 245/70-16 245/70-17 245/70-17. 5 245/70-19.5 245/75-15 245/75-16 245/75-17 245/75-22.5 245/85-16 24x10.50-12 24x10x11 24x11-11 24x11.00-12 24x11.5x10 24x11x10 24x11x8 24x11x9 24x12-10 24x12-12 24x13x12 24x13x9 24x8-11 24x8.00-12 24x8.00-14 24x8.50-12 24x8.50-14 24x9.50-12 24x9x11 24x9x12 250-15 255/40-17 255/40-18 255/45-15 255/45-18 255/55-14 255/55-17 255/55-18 255/60-14 255/60-17 255/60-18 255/65-15 255/65-16 255/65-17 255/70-15 255/70-16 255/70-17 255/70-18 255/70-22.5 255/75-15 255/75-16 255/75-17 255/80-22.5 255/85-16 25x10-8 25x10x10 25x10x12 25x11x10 25x11x12 25x11x8 25x12x10 25x12x9 25x13-9 25x13.50-9 25x13.5x12 25x7.50-15 25x8-10 25x8-11 25x8.50-14 25x8x12 26.5-25 26.5-29 265/50-16 265/50-20 265/60-16 265/60-18 265/65-17 265/70-15 265/70-16 265/70-17 265/70-18 265/70-19.5 265/75-15 265/75-16 265/75-22.5 265/80-16 26x10-12 26x10-14 26x10.5x12 26x11-12 26x11-14 26x12-14 26x12.00-12 26x8-12 26x9-12 26x9-14 26x9.5-12 270/60-12 270/95-36 275/45-20 275/55-17 275/55-18 275/55-20 275/60-15 275/60-16 275/60-17 275/60-18 275/60-20 275/60HR17 275/65-16 275/65-17 275/65-18 275/70-16 275/70-17 275/70-18 275/70-22. 5 275/80-22.5 275/80-24.5 27x10-14 27x10.50-15 27x10x12 27x11-12 27x11-14 27x12-14 27x12x12 27x8.50-14 27x8.50-15 27x9-12 27x9-14 27x9.50-15 28-Dec 28-Nov 280/85-24 285/40-15 285/45-19 285/50-20 285/60-16 285/60-17 285/60-18 285/65-17 285/65-18 285/70-16 285/70-17 285/70-19.5 285/75-16 285/75-24.5 28L-26 28l26 28x10-14 28x12-15 28x8.50x14 28x9-14 28x9-15 29.5-25 29.5-29 290/95-34 295/45-20 295/50-16 295/70-17 295/70-22.5 295/75-16 295/75-22.5 295/75-24.5 295/80-22.5 29x11-14 29x12-15 29x12.50-15 29x8-15 29x9-14 29x9.50-15 3.40/3.00X5 30.5L-32 300/70-20 300/80-24 305/45-17 305/50-15 305/50-20 305/55-20 305/60-18 305/70-16 305/70-17 305/70-22.5 305/75-24.5 305/85-16 305/85-22.5 30x10-14 30x9.50-15 30x9.50-16 315/45-22.5 315/70-15 315/70-17 315/70-22.5 315/75-15 315/75-16 315/75-22.5 315/75-24.5 315/80-22.5 31x10.50-15 31x10.50-16.5 31x11.50-15 31x11.50-16 31x12.50-16 31x13.5-15 31x15.50-15 320/70-20 320/70-24 320/80-18 320/85-24 320/85-34 320/90-46 325/60-15 325/60-18 325/60-20 325/65-18 325/80-16 32x10-16 32x11. 50-15 32x11.50-16 32x12.50-15 32x12.50-16.5 32x9-16 33x10.50x15 33x12.50-15 33x12.50-16.5 33x13.50-15 33x13.50-16 33x14.50-15 33x14x15 33x15.5-16.5 33x9.50-15 340/80-18 340/85-24 340/85-28 345/55-16 345/55-17 34x9.50-15 34x9x16 35.5-32 355/60-20 355/65-18 355/80-20 35x12.5-16 35x12.50-15 35x12.50-16.5 35x12.50-17 35x12.50-20 35x13.50-15 35x13.50-16 35x14-15 35x14-16 360/70-24 360/80-20 365/60-22.5 365/65-16 36x12.50-15 36x12.50-16.5 36x13x16 36x14-16.5 37x12.50-16.5 37x12.50-17 37x12.50-20 37x12.50x16 37x13.50-17 37x13.50-20 38.5x15-16.5 380/70-24 380/85-24 380/85-28 380/85-30 385/95R24 38x12.50x16.50 38x13x16 38x15.50R16.5 395/85-20 4.00x4.80x8 4.10/3.50x4 4.10/3.50x5 4.10/3.50x6 4.10x3.50x6 400/70-20 400/80-24 400/80-28 405/70-20 40x19-19.5 41x14.00-20 420/70-24 420/70-28 420/70-30 420/80-46 420/85-24 420/90-30 425/65-22.5 43/16.00x20 440/65-24 440/65-28 440/80-24 440/80-28 440/80-30 440/80-34 445/65-19.5 445/65-22.5 445/70-24 44x18.00-20 455/55R22.5 460/65-24 465/65-24 480/65-24 480/65-28 480/70-24 480/80-30 5. 00/5.70x8 5.30/4.50x6 550/65-25 555/70-25 6.00-14 6.00-16 6.50-10 6.50-16 6.50-20 6.70-15 600/50-22.5 600/55-26.5 600/65-34 6x12 7-17.5 7.00-12 7.00-14 7.00-15 7.00-15TR 7.00-16 7.00-17 7.00-18 7.00-20 7.2-24 7.50-10 7.50-14 7.50-15 7.50-15TR 7.50-16 7.50-17 7.50-18 7.50-20 700/45-22.5 700/50-26.5 700/50-34 700/55-34 700/70-34 705/70-25 710/45-26.5 710/55-34 73/44.00-32 750/55-26.5 750/65-25 755/70-25 8-17.5 8-19.5 8-22.5 8.00-16.5 8.15x15 8.25-15 8.25-15TR 8.25-20 8.3-24 8.50-17.5 8.75-16.5 8x12 8x15 8x16 9-14.5MH 9-17.5 9-22.5 9.00-15 9.00-15TR 9.00-16 9.00-20 9.5-16 9.5-24 9.5-28 9.5-32 9.5-36 9.5-38 9.50-16.5 FR78-15 GR78-15 H70-14ST H78-14ST H78-15 H78-15ST L78-16 LR78-15 LR78-16 Nov-36 Nov-38 NR78-15 Oct-32 Oct-38 PR78-15 PR78-16 QR78-15 QR78-16 Skidsteer |
Let’s face it, one of the most confusion things about buying tire chains is figuring out your tire size so you know what size chain to buy.
Metric SizingMost tires sold today are sized by the “metric” system. This sizing can be represented with no letter before the size, P-metric, LT-metric and ST-metric. Common examples of this are as follows: 235/75R15, P235/75R15, and LT235/75R15.
In these examples the first set of 3 digits is the width of the tire, measured from sidewall to sidewall, in millimeters, NOT the tread width.
The second group of digits is the “aspect ratio”. The Aspect Ratio is the height of sidewall from the wheel to the top of the tread. The height of the sidewall is a percent of the tire width ...the aspect ratio. In our example, 265/75, the sidewall height is 75% of the 265mm width, or 198mm.
The third set of digits is the rim diameter in inches.
Flotation sizing is used for some cars and truck, and used for small tires such as the ones used on trailers, tractors, and ATVs ie. .. 22x10x10, 18x9.5x8. All of the measurements are in inches. The first number is for the height. The second number is the sidewall width. The last digits are the rim diameter.
Numeric sizing is used light truck, 205-16, commercial truck, 11-22.5, and agricultural, 9.5-24, applications. The first digits are the width, sidewall to sidewall. The second digits represent the rim size. If your tire size happens to have three sets of numbers, 31x15.50-15, the first number is the height, the second number is the width, and the third number is the rim diameter.
Snow chains must be correctly fitted to the wheel and tensioned. Otherwise, the service life of the product will be significantly reduced, the risk of injury during use will increase, and the manufacturer's warranty will be void.
We unpack new chains, spread them on a flat surface, remove twisted knots. The fastening rings of the jumpers of the ladder (honeycomb or rhombus) must be directed into the inside of the chain. Tension "G" - we have a shaped lock on the outside of the wheel, a hook or a screw carabiner inside.
If the chain is twisted, the sidewall becomes shorter, incorrect wear and damage to the bar may occur during operation.
Option 1: we run on the straightened chain with a wheel, then we put the chain on the tire, evenly distributing and aligning the chain bridges along the tread.
Option 2: put on and straighten the chain on the tire, slowly move the vehicle so that the chain passes under the wheel and it becomes possible to connect the side chains.
Option 3: hang the wheel, put the chain on the wheel and evenly distribute it on the tread.
When the vehicle runs over the chains, make sure that the tension lock and the hook (screw carabiner) that connect the side chains do not get under the wheel! They can deform and damage the tire.
We bring the ends of the side chains together to determine the most suitable links to connect and evenly tension the inner and outer side chains.
We connect the ends of the inner side chain with a hook or a screw carabiner (depending on the configuration) into links that are optimal for the required tension, fix the hook (carabiner).
We thread the tension “L” - shaped lock into the chain link, which is in the same parallel with the lock. With the effort of the hand, we stretch the chains and fix the lock in a special ring. We check the tension of the chains, if necessary, move the lock to the next link and again tighten and fix.
We pass a chain through the rings located outside the wheel for additional tension, having previously removed the screw carabiner from it. Next, we make a control tension and fix it with a carabiner on any link of the side chain.
The additional tension chain is not available in all configurations.
We drive with the chains installed for 100~200 meters and check the tension of the chains, if necessary, we re-tension, repeating the operations indicated in paragraphs 4-6.
During operation, we regularly check the condition of the chains, if the chains become loose, we re-tension them.
The chain must be moved by hand on the wheel tread. Excessive tension will lead to rapid wear of the tire, stretching and increased contamination of the chains during operation.
Remove chains in reverse order.
Removed snow chains must be cleaned of snow or dirt, dried well and treated with special agents to prevent rust. Damaged chain links, if this is not a warranty case, should be replaced or repaired.
Chains must be stored in a dry place.
on snow chains is not applicable in the following cases:
Snow chains are a valuable addition to your forklift. Snow chains are a device to be used in an emergency situation and, therefore, when using them, it is necessary to observe the precautions and the attached rules of use in order to obtain the expected results, as well as to avoid possible problems arising from incorrect use of the chains.
Anti-skid chains are designed to prevent wheel slippage and increase the passability of the loader when driving on difficult road sections - ice, rolled snow, virgin snow.
Before using snow chains, it is necessary to determine the possibility of their installation on the vehicle. Recommended minimum clearances between the wheel and various parts of the loader required for installation:
Anti-skid chains are mounted on the drive wheels of the loader. Installation of anti-skid chains must be carried out before entering a difficult road section.
For different manufacturers of wheels for loaders with the same wheel marking, the actual dimensions can vary significantly.
To take into account the difference in wheel sizes, an additional jumper (pos. 7) is provided in the anti-skid chains. It is attached with staples to the end links of the tail chain (pos.6).
The need for an additional jumper is determined during the first installation. If the anti-skid chain hangs freely on the wheel during tension, warps on its side and further tension does not give the chain a snug fit to the wheel, then the additional jumper should be disconnected.
1. Carefully straighten the snow chain (chain links must not be twisted). Lay snow chains on the road surface and run the drive wheels over them. The locking hook (pos.2) with the locking ring (pos.3) must be located on the outside of the loader. Secure the loader in a position that prevents spontaneous movement on the road.
2. Throw the free part of the chain on the wheel. Spread the transverse branches of the chain (pos.4) evenly around the circumference of the wheel.
3. On the inner side of the wheel, hook the locking hook (pos.1) to one of the links of the tail branch (pos.6). Hook hook only on odd tail chain links 1, 3, 5, etc. (for loaders with a small distance between the wheel and other parts).
4. From the outer side of the wheel, thread the locking hook (pos.2) into one of the end links of the tail branch (pos.6) and turn the locking hook towards the locking ring (pos.3).
5. Insert the locking ring into the groove of the locking hook. If necessary, make an additional tension of the chain (reattach the locking hook and the hook for the following tail links). Longitudinal and transverse branches should grip the tire tightly.
6. After passing a small area, make an additional tension of the chain by hooking the hook (pos.2) on one of the following links of the tail chain.
After the first installation, the extra tail links (not used) must be cut off or tied so that they do not touch the body or other parts of the loader during movement.
Removing the tool from the wheel is carried out in the reverse order.
Anti-skid chains are mounted on the drive wheels of the loader. It is advisable to install snow chains before entering a difficult road section.
For different manufacturers of wheels for loaders with the same wheel marking, the actual dimensions can vary significantly.
To take into account the difference in wheel sizes, an additional jumper (pos. 5) is provided in the anti-skid chains.
It is attached with staples to the end links of the tail chain (pos. 4). The need for an additional jumper is determined during the first installation. If the anti-skid chain hangs freely on the wheel during tension, warps on its side and further tension does not give the chain a snug fit to the wheel, then the additional jumper should be disconnected.
1. Secure the vehicle in a position that prevents spontaneous movement on the road. Throw the snow chain over the wheel so that the tensioning rings (pos.6) are on the outside of the wheel, and the locking hooks (pos.1) and tail links (pos.4) are at the bottom of the wheel. Spread the transverse branches (pos.2) evenly around the circumference of the wheel.
2. Hook the locking hook (pos.1) on the inner side of the wheel for one of the links of the tail branch (pos.4), or for the ring, i.e. as close as possible to the other half of the snow chain.
3. Hook the locking hook (pos.1) on the outer part of the side of the wheel for one of the links of the tail branch (pos.4), or for the ring, i.e. as close as possible to the other half of the snow chain.