Rubber tire chains for dirt work

[CharlieFoxtrot]

I am curious to hear whether anyone here has used rubber tire chains over turfs during non-winter months, and how well they increase traction in dirt.

I have turf tires on my B2650. I went with turfs because I anticipate driving (and already have driven) over my manicured lawn quite a bit and I wanted to avoid tearing it up.

The past winter, my turfs worked great in the snow. This spring and summer, however, I anticipate doing lots of ground engaging work such as pulling rocks and small stumps, grading, and hauling stuff through the woods, and I am afraid that I will have a traction problem. I do not want to go with metal tire chains because I need to drive over grass and pavement to get to my tractor garage.

I am curious if rubber tire chains would help with those applications. Every review I can find of them is from people who have used them to gain traction in snow -- which I don't have a problem with. I haven't found any reviews on their ability to boost traction in warm weather. Has anyone used them outside of winter and, if so, what was your experience?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

You will just tear up a set of rubber chains if you use them on dry ground.

Your best bet for traction besides metal chains would be to have the tires filled.

 

[200mph]

I have rubber tire chains on turf tires, but only use them in the winter months mostly for snow blowing on steep inclines. I'm happy with them and how long they lasted (6 years and no issues).

My neighbor keeps his mounted all the time on his B9200 w/Turfs. This would be over rocks, in the woods and our soil is very hard and rocky. The first set lasted 6 years of pure abuse before they started to delaminate. None of the rubber straps broke, but they were coming apart where the reinforcing fabric is molded into the rubber. He's on his second set.

The rubber on these chains were made from conveyor belting. There are a few suppliers using recycled tire sidewalls for their straps. Strips are cut from old tires and ground to achieve the desired thickness. Not certain if they would be as durable or not. Just want to make you aware there are differences.

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

...

The rubber on these chains were made from conveyor belting. There are a few suppliers using recycled tire sidewalls for their straps. Strips are cut from old tires and ground to achieve the desired thickness. Not certain if they would be as durable or not. Just want to make you aware there are differences.

Thanks for your response. So it sounds like they should hold up decently if I use them in warm weather. I don't plan to beat them up too much and would probably remove them from time to time.

I did not know that there were different types of rubber chains. I have only been able to find one source online that makes them to fit my tires, which are 13.6-16 and they market them as being made of "multi-ply reinforced rubber bar . . . isn't just a piece of cut-up conveyor belt wrapped around your tire." I'm not sure which material is better but I am not finding conveyor belt chains in my size.

 

[nzzshl]

All of this on the topic is intriguing, lads. You all have prompted me to investigate them for use in mud with my BX24D with the industrials mounted. Great topic!

 

[OldeEnglish]

Your turf tires will be fine working on dry dirt, even on hard packed ground they work great. Get them loaded like wolfman said if they aren't already, it makes a huge difference all around.

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

I have 200+ pounds of Rimguard in each tire. I just haven't used the machine for the type of work that I am gearing up to do. I guess I will give it a weekend of work and see whether I need more traction.