Chains for my 140 and how I made mine

[Rob1276]

Sure does help with getting around getting wood


A lot of this process is looking twice three four times put them on take them off adjusting and looking at them drink a beer or pop look some more

I started off using two five foot sections of chain it actually to long they are realistically 31/2to 4 feet in length I wanted them to be longer in case my measurements didn't work out they wouldn't be to short and It gave me room to work with on the final fitting I did cut off if I remember right approx 1 foot during final fitting but it best to build them longer always easier to take away vs adding

The cross sections for my tires jd 140 23x10.5x12 started off being 16 links long this was cut down during the fitting process to eventually being 14 link long cross section

I cut all my cross sections to 16 link long depending on how many cross sections you want being it every four links or every two links
I opted for every 7 link as to keep cost down and it was my first set that I have made so in case I messed up it wouldn't be so costly and later after I have them in the tire and snug I can always add more then

I took the first piece of chain and counted down the chain 6 links and the sixth link was where I attached my first cross section and every 7th link there after until I ran out of Room on the I will call it the connecting chain

I then took the other connecting chain and repeated the same steps as above making sure I had some tag ends on both main connecting chains at both ends

Now for the fitting the fun part at this time it pays to be patient and look more vs cut. It makes it a lot easier with tire off tractor and up on a bench of sorts and a extra hand is nice too

It is important to let air out of your tires before final fitting thus allows you to get them tight first by you adjusting them and getting them tight in your own then when you add air it puts them good and tight so no slipping

I laid the chain out and sat the tire in the middle then took both ends of connecting chain up to top of tire and connected them in place not permanently but just with a repair link just to hold them in place while I worked out all the slack and twists in the chain

Work around the tire getting all the slack out you can and see what how many links may need removed or hopefully not added hence make them a little bigger than needed this step in removing links should only involve the cross members at this time not the connecting chains themselves leave them long

Once you sure on the amount needed to make a good fit go make your adjustments and then do another sizing and adjusting by this time you should be good width wise reconnect using something temporary to hold them in place while you adjust and eyeball them to be sure

If your satisfied with how they are fitting it's time to start making final connections and cutting the connecting chains to proper length again every thing is all just being held in place with repair shackles no permanent connecting just yet

Get them as tight as possible by hand only remember the air you put back will tighten them up more

Once your satisfied with how they fitting go ahead and make your permanent connections You may have lost a cross member in the final connecting chain cut if so go ahead and add that back before making final permanent Connections

Once all connections have been made add air back to tires install back on tractor and go try them out

 

[Skip Klassik]

I thouht you was makin on chain saw chains till I seen they were for tires. Good too know though too.

 

[Jakers]

not a bad idea. im kind of lazy an i prefer the v-bar type chains myself. i may do this anyway tho because im always bord this time of year and any chains are better than no chains. how much you got invested in them? what did you use to make your cross chains link to your side chains? how bout the insided and outside side chain hooks? more pics would be great

 

[Rob1276]

not a bad idea. im kind of lazy an i prefer the v-bar type chains myself. i may do this anyway tho because im always bord this time of year and any chains are better than no chains. how much you got invested in them? what did you use to make your cross chains link to your side chains? how bout the insided and outside side chain hooks? more pics would be great

I was wanting to try and make the v bar type myself honestly cost wise i have $70 into them plus time making which really didn't take long to make adjusting them is what takes time making sure they just right

I used repair shackles for the while process for cross members and the with the connecting chains< the chains the the cross sections attach too>. You know the ones you can slip onto the link then hammer shut I used a vice to do mine instead of hammer if you mess up you can still pry them apart and they are pretty strong

I could have ordered them off some website for $45 $15 shipping so I didn't really save any money but I think the chain I used is heavier than what I could have got pre made

I used 3/16 chain

 

[Rob1276]

I used repair links//shackles the kind you hammer shut. I wrote all this on the post above but it didn't show up for some reason They can be pryed back open if you make a mistake They are pretty strong as well I am going to make another set here soon for another mower I just got I will have better detailed pictures then

 

[Jakers]

thats pretty neat. ill have to check into that when im in town tomorrow

 

[Rob1276]

Here a pic with them on

 

[Chris-PA]

I used to run chains on the WheelHorse, but I swapped them out for ag tread tires. So far they're working nicely, but I'll admit I don't us it in any significant snow or anything (if we had any, that is). They work great hauling the cart in the woods.