Has anyone here made there own tire chains for a tractor. I was about to buy
some but at $1100.00 a pair (studded type for ice) they seem very expensive.
I can get 3/8" for $1.69 per foot. 200+ feet of chain, a big set of bolt
cutters, my Mig welder and some time should make a decent set. Anyone have
an opinion on this idea? Above prices are Canadian.

Where are you located? Must be Canada!

I have two pairs of ice bar chains that fit the old International Scout
15 inch wheels/tires. Haven't used since about 1990. Would give to
someone, but won't ship. Too heavy.

Paul in Redmond, Oregon

My size is 16.9-14-34 and I almost couldn't get farther from you. I am on
the east coast of Canada.

wrote in message
oups.com...
Where are you located? Must be Canada!

I have two pairs of ice bar chains that fit the old International Scout
15 inch wheels/tires. Haven't used since about 1990. Would give to
someone, but won't ship. Too heavy.

Paul in Redmond, Oregon

"habbi" wrote in message
...
Has anyone here made there own tire chains for a tractor. I was about to
buy
some but at $1100.00 a pair (studded type for ice) they seem very
expensive.
I can get 3/8" for $1.69 per foot. 200+ feet of chain, a big set of bolt
cutters, my Mig welder and some time should make a decent set. Anyone have
an opinion on this idea? Above prices are Canadian.



If you make your own you may want to look at the design used for most
skidder chains, these have a ring centered on the tread and are connected to
the side chains by four cross chains, I have not driven any thing using
these (no opportunity) but the design looks like a good idea.

Jack

In article ,
"habbi" wrote:

Has anyone here made there own tire chains for a tractor. I was about to buy
some but at $1100.00 a pair (studded type for ice) they seem very expensive.
I can get 3/8" for $1.69 per foot. 200+ feet of chain, a big set of bolt
cutters, my Mig welder and some time should make a decent set. Anyone have
an opinion on this idea? Above prices are Canadian.


I looked at doing so. Haven't gone one way or the other, but note that a
_good_ set of tractor chains will be made with boron steel, and may have
studding or wear bars - all of which is not likely to be on your
homemade set. You save money, but they wear out faster, and don't work
as well as a good set. Cheap-ass commercial cains may be no better, or
worse, than your homemade ones.

--
Cats, Coffee, Chocolate...vices to live by

How does grade 30 chain compare to boron steel chain in terms of wear. Would
it make much difference when used on ice and snow. Would the ice actually
wear the grade 30 chain?
"Ecnerwal" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"habbi" wrote:

Has anyone here made there own tire chains for a tractor. I was about to
buy
some but at $1100.00 a pair (studded type for ice) they seem very
expensive.
I can get 3/8" for $1.69 per foot. 200+ feet of chain, a big set of
bolt
cutters, my Mig welder and some time should make a decent set. Anyone
have
an opinion on this idea? Above prices are Canadian.


I looked at doing so. Haven't gone one way or the other, but note that a
_good_ set of tractor chains will be made with boron steel, and may have
studding or wear bars - all of which is not likely to be on your
homemade set. You save money, but they wear out faster, and don't work
as well as a good set. Cheap-ass commercial cains may be no better, or
worse, than your homemade ones.

--
Cats, Coffee, Chocolate...vices to live by

Hi,
My Dad made a set of tractor tire chains of the style suggested by Jack in the
attached response. The rings were about 3/4 inch diameter rod if I remember
correctly. Weld some small posts on the rings and surface with hard facing
rod. The set Dad made will pull like crazy and seem to last forever.

Mill

Has anyone here made there own tire chains for a tractor. I was about to
buy
some but at $1100.00 a pair (studded type for ice) they seem very
expensive.
I can get 3/8" for $1.69 per foot. 200+ feet of chain, a big set of bolt
cutters, my Mig welder and some time should make a decent set. Anyone have
an opinion on this idea? Above prices are Canadian.



If you make your own you may want to look at the design used for most
skidder chains, these have a ring centered on the tread and are connected to
the side chains by four cross chains, I have not driven any thing using
these (no opportunity) but the design looks like a good idea.

Jack

habbi wrote:
Has anyone here made there own tire chains for a tractor. I was about to buy
some but at $1100.00 a pair (studded type for ice) they seem very expensive.
I can get 3/8" for $1.69 per foot. 200+ feet of chain, a big set of bolt
cutters, my Mig welder and some time should make a decent set. Anyone have
an opinion on this idea? Above prices are Canadian.


I have never made a set from scratch but I have extended them . Forget
reg chain . Go to an Industrial supplier and buy the right side links
and connectors . They are less money anyway . You will need ring chains
or D chains so it sits up on top of the tread bars . Reg single cross
links are useless on Ag tires . Nothing to making them other then be
sure to take out any twist in the chain as you go so . As to special
steels , well for seasonal use you will never wear them out anyway .
Have you tried asking around for old logging skidder chains ? Even if
half worn out they will out live you . Luck .
Ken Cutt