Front Tire Chains BX2230?

[Torrin]

Good afternoon from the snowy north. I am selling my BX2230 and part of the package is a complete set of chains. I recieved a note in my e-mail form someone claiming that front chains will cause excessive wear on the front clutches. Any truth to that?

I ask because the chains came from the original owner and he never used them on his flat property.

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[85Hokie]

Good afternoon from the snowy north. I am selling my BX2230 and part of the package is a complete set of chains. I recieved a note in my e-mail form someone claiming that front chains will cause excessive wear on the front clutches. Any truth to that?

I ask because the chains came from the original owner and he never used them on his flat property.

Thanks in advance for any help

There is a lot of talk here about NOT chaining the front end, but most of that comes from the question - can I chain front and back? - the consensus is not to chain front AND back, but back only!

I have seen more 4wd tractors locally with chains on the FRONT only.....and I am wondering if that is ok or not! With front only, there is wear and tear, but you have much better steering too - especially if you have a load in the bucket.

Seems to me that if you chain the rear - that is where you have the weight and the grip - not chaining the front makes sense - the reason you place a machine in 4wd is that you are loosing grip anyway - but at the same time, grip needs to slip somewhere - best to be at a tire or two rather than the drivetrain - which has no tolerance to slip!

Many here chain all the way around - and they seem to like it, on snow and ice I think it would be fine.....

 

[sheepfarmer]

I am thinking that it is an"all depends" kind of question. Depends on how much use, what kind of terrain and surface, the particular tractor and strength of its front end etc. BUT another key point is that we buy these tractors to do work for us and to keep us safe while doing it. So wearing out something that can be repaired after many years use is small price to pay for getting the drive done safely in a blizzard.

 

[countrynerd]

I needed fronts to be able to turn else would just slide when pushing snow. But have turf tires so was expected.


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[skeets]

I use to run chains front and back on the Jeep, when winter rolled around and I needed grab out in the boondocks and never had a problem. In truth I really dont see much difference. I could well be wrong, and I see where they could get you in trouble, but I cant see where they would do any harm

 

[ipz2222]

There are no " front clutches " on the bx 2230.

 

[RCW]

I haven't put front chains on my BX2360 for snowblower use, but have really considered it for a couple years.

Like other guys say, would help front end sliding around.

If only used on slick conditions, would probably be fine. Just don't want them on with too much bite in 4WD.

 

[SDMauler]

I've found that front chains help quite a bit on my BX2360, especially when using the front dozer blade. Helps keep things pointed in the right direction, and definitely has helped pull me back out of the ditch a couple of times. Since the front wheel drive is hydraulically driven, there is more play in it than if the front and rear axles were geared together, so as long as the chains don't hit the steering knuckles, it should be fine. When I put my chains on, I make sure the outboard circle of the chain ring is smaller than the inboard, so the chains don't hit the knuckle, then cinch them down with bulk elastic cord I found on Amazon, which lets me have as many cross-tensioners as I want. Use zip ties to keep the ends tied together.

 

[RCW]

Since the front wheel drive is hydraulically driven, there is more play in it than if the front and rear axles were geared together

I make sure the outboard circle of the chain ring is smaller than the inboard

Mauler - not sure I get your point with "hydraulically driven." Granted it's an HST, but the concern seems more around possible damage to the front differential or axles due to the lack of slippage in traction in 4WD, most importantly when turning. For example - using on hard ground/pavement, etc.

I definitely agree with you as far as it is fine if chains are used with discretion - just take it out of 4WD on hard surfaces.

For fitting the chains - you do exactly what I do for my rear tires. Several guys have been concerned about clearance of the chains on the inside of the wheel if you don't have spacers. Keep 'em tight - piece of cake!

 

[BWXT]

The idea that front chains are going to give you too much traction and bind the drivetrain is absurd. Chains improve traction on soft and icy surfaces. In soft conditions (snow, mud) they act as paddles. On ice the bite in, but have nowhere near the gripping strength of rubber on asphalt. As far as using them on dry asphalt. The chains will slip easier than rubber. That's why they make tires out of rubber, not steel. You could make the argument that R1 tires offer much more traction than turfs and are therefore harder on driveline parts. People still use R1s. With chains or without it is just important to use 4x4 with discretion.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

I'm looking at this myself, having just bought European diamond pattern chains for all four wheels.

On dry pavement, running in 4WD is hard on the drivetrain (at least on a BX). It makes sense there could be "too much grip" in some situations with chains on a non-compliant surface.

My thought is to run the tractor like normal: 2WD unless slipping and 4WD is needed. In theory the front chains should help with steering on slippery surfaces, and when needed 4WD will generate additional traction, and locking the differential when needed will get me out of a mess (hopefully). I could be wrong, this Winter I should know more.

 

[SDT]

There are no " front clutches " on the bx 2230.

Bingo.

 

[SDT]

The idea that front chains are going to give you too much traction and bind the drivetrain is absurd. Chains improve traction on soft and icy surfaces. In soft conditions (snow, mud) they act as paddles. On ice the bite in, but have nowhere near the gripping strength of rubber on asphalt. As far as using them on dry asphalt. The chains will slip easier than rubber. That's why they make tires out of rubber, not steel. You could make the argument that R1 tires offer much more traction than turfs and are therefore harder on driveline parts. People still use R1s. With chains or without it is just important to use 4x4 with discretion.

Agreed.

"[E]xcessive wear on the front clutches...." What nonsense.

 

[Henro]

Am I the first to notice that you guys are responding to a post made close to 8 years ago, to which the OP never returned?

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

Am I the first to notice that you guys are responding to a post made close to 8 years ago, to which the OP never returned?

You no like zombie?