DIY Tractor Tire Chains: Build for $180
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 พ.ค. 2024
- Due to the overwhelming amount of people telling me I need tire chains for my tractor when doing snow removal, I decided to build a set. I wanted to do this as economical and DIY-able as possible and purchased everything from harbor freight. If you have a welder and an angle grinder you can build these yourself! I know, it wont work as well, or last as long as a $1000 set of chains, but all in I spent $180 for these and a couple hours of my time. I can always improve upon them as years go on if I need more traction. Thanks for watching and don't be afraid to try it yourself!
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0:00 What are we doing today?
0:39 Harbor Freight Materials
1:19 Setting up for the first tire
5:20 Initial Layout
6:40 Test Fitting Initial Layout
8:05 Issues with the Initial Layout
10:25 Setting up Revised Layout
12:14 Test Fitting Revised Layout
14:12 Weld Attempt 1
17:20 Grinding off the Zinc Coating
18:09 Weld Attempt 2
19:53 Welding Table
21:20 Fully Welding Chain Set 1
25:40 Final Fitment
27:00 Prepping Set 2
28:10 Welding Set 2
29:05 Both are Done
29:57 Installed on the Tractor - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
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Hope my Sub helped drop that 98% a little. My Grandfather built his own tire chains for his big Farmall Super M back in the late 1950s and I remember seeing him put them on a few times plus he added several more ladder rungs of chain to close up those gaps. I can't remember a time that he got stuck and back then he bought his chain from one of the Hardware stores here in Northern Michigan and he mentioned that he spent close to $30.00 for all that chain which in the 50s was a lot of money for a Farmer. He passed away at 90 in 1977 and when I came back home after my Army career was over those chains were still hanging in the barn close to where the tractor parked. I helped my Aunt sell off most of the equipment no longer needed and those chains sold at Auction for over $1000 so who knows maybe yours could be worth money one day.
Always great to have a new subscriber! Welcome! If my kid can sell these at auction for 10x what I made them for I’d call that a major win! Thanks for watching!
Awesome job creating that instead of buying one. Nice knowledge to know incase it breaks.
Anywho can't wait to see how it survives this Christmas storm we are getting. Good luck bud and stay warm and safe. See a after "blizzard" video
Winter storm Elliott is incoming! Stay tuned!
nice job Elliott
Thanks for watching!
I haven't made a set from scratch, but added every other ladder bar onto a set. I used grade 70 transport chain. I think it's a harder steel, so will wear slower. Also welded fine without having to remove finish. When cutting links, I just cut one side, and twisted with two cresent wrenches. Re-bent once linked to what I needed, then welded. Not sure if this weakened it enough to matter... but that was half the welding.
Makes sense!
Awesome job Sir!
Thanks! I’m pretty happy with the way they came out Vs the cost of buying a set!
As I say. Want it done. Do it yourself. Great job. Done it many times. Just add some chain to fill in the large open spots. I always did it. In a center X. Pattern. Happy Holidays
c
Yeah I think some minor modifications are in order, but overall I’m very happy with the way they turned out
Enjoying your videos. Your much better at showing your personality and humor on video then I am.
It can feel really awkward at most times. Things seem to be a little more relaxed and easy when I do videos with other people and I actually have someone to talk to and not just a camera!
I agree it’s easier to talk to someone else on video.
Nice lookin home made chains. You should consider grooving your tires though. It’s amazing how well it works.
I’ve considered that for sure
Those turned out great. Can't wait to see how they work out for you. No doubt they'll be better than not having them.
No issues with this video running 720p. Still not sure what to think about your previous ones where I was having problems.
Glad this one worked for yah! Thanks for watching!
It does look great
Thanks! I’m happy with the way it turned out!
My older JD 4100 had industrial tires and I made my chains pretty much like you did except I used chain connectors rather than weld. They worked fine except needed a couple additional cross links. Hanging the chain from the wall or a rafter makes it work rather than crawling on the floor. I also cut down car chains for the front tires and wrecked 3 front ends before I was told by a dealer never to chain up the front end of a JD 4100. Not sure if I will try it with my Kubota.
Yeah I probably wont chain the front, you don't want to be blowing a gear box apart when one set grabs and the other is stuck.
I did mine similar, but added a ladder cross chain for every tread, and they cross at an angle over the tread. and once tensioned they stay on top of the tread all winter, no issue. They should work just fine.
I’m very happy with the way these turned out, especially for my first go at it
Scrubbing through trying to catch a shot of what size chain you went with. Is this the 25’ 5/16” bucket of chain that you bought I’m guessing?
Thanks for the vid. Building these for my set up for sure. 👊😎
you got it...sorry I didn't mention that...
Elliot chains look good your video content is interesting and your subscribers will come I just happened to find you by accident and have caught most of your videos since keep up the good work 👍
Thanks for the support!
Love your cat 🙀 is she the shop mouser
Theodore is always trying to help me out when I'm working on something!
You need to add 3 ladder rungs and shorten each rung by about 4". The trick to getting chains tight is to air down the tires before installing the chains, after the chains are installed add air.
Thanks for the tips. I have my rear tires loaded so I can’t take much air out of them. They won’t “squash” much.
Can you load the rear tires? If the tires are loaded in the rear, they will also help.
They are already loaded
Looks good, A lot of man hours, U R a better man then me. lol Fort Wayne Indiana, Okay tomorrow Thursday 12.22.22 rain to snow snow around 7pm till 7am Friday. 6 to 10 inches with 50 mph winds fun fun Spent Monday and Tuesday [ days off ] getting ready We will see
Winter Storm Elliott is hitting us all. Quite a fitting name if you ask me.
@@EverythingElliott @ work Butler Indiana, but I guess I my wyze cam at home Fort Wayne Indiana 830pm 2 to 3 inches
I wish U lived closer I have made dozens of tire chains and have 2 pairs of chain pliers
Never heard of chain pliers. Gunna look those up
When I built chains for skid loader I used them connects n for the cross links used bolts with lock nuts is ideal for u to but u have welder tho
Gotta work with whatcha got. Thanks for watchin!
With my turf tires i never worry about traction
That’s great!
Loader and snow blower well balanced 30 hp jd
Hey Elliott,
Just found your channel from @dude ranch diy.
I can say that I am part of the 2% that are subscribed.
Looking forward to watching many more of your videos.
Stay safe 🪓🪵
thanks for subscribing! you wont be disappointed!
Wondering what all the insulation is for in the bay there?
Tough to hide anything from you guys. You’ll find out soon enough!
Side chains ⛓️
Look at that handsome man in HD
Ayeeeeeee new camera shows off my true beauty
Can you run one right down center to give you more traction. Good job though
I considered that but thought it being directly centered would cause it to prematurely wear down.
Yes it is galvanized
That's zink coated chain not galvanized. Still no welding fumes are good to breath.
I had that cats double, but he had one issue. He thought he had to mark everything.
Theodore is a great cat! He's trained to take care of business outside. I've never had an issue with that.
I will answer this for all, 7100 ultra dual shield all postion really great wire for deep penatration but great wire, takes high volts and high IPM inch per minute.
Gas less fluxcore wire, all postion wire, great outdoor wire, you don't need a fluxcore cup or gun just use everything you have and keep your cup as close to your contact tip, you will be so surprised on the money you save on gas, plus you will be surprised on how well it does and how strong it is, they weld bridges, buildings, etc with gasless flux core, it works Mr.
Next your 70s6 nothing better the hard wire it's just a all around wire all postion just awesome, so I will say this, don't go cheap on this wire. I buy hobart products I don't care what the reviews says about this wire its badass its simple to tune in and welds smooth. Your gas C25 or 75 25 works great, 100%C02 also if you want deeper penatration. Those are the basic wire you should use. I will get into welding rods later try those first let me know how you make out. If you where wondering I have 18yrs of welding experience and have no issue showing or helping anyone out, be safe.
Thanks for the suggestion!
I’m confused, are you making tire chains or chain ladders?
They are actually secret chain ladders that I hide in plain sight on my tractor tires.
@@EverythingElliott just in case you need to climb out of another 72 inches of snow, right?
@@DudeRanchDIY bring on the storms let’s goooo
Look up "lap link".
Will do!
They should work some chains run alot looser on the tires but anything is better than nothing
That’s the truth, thanks for watching!
Is your tractor 4wd?
It sure is
nice project. other options... bolt cut connecting links on one side and twist open in the vise, hammer closed and weld. Also, they also make C shaped connecting links that can be hammered closed for your 90 deg attachments.
Great idea! Thanks for watching
Not enough cross chains.
They work well for what they are! I can always modify them later
Those are not really snow chains. Those are more of a woods chain so mud and crap don't fill your lugs up.
Hmm…well they make a significant different in the snow as well
And how much was your time worth? Sure $180 for the chain, plus 6-8 hours of your time. This will probably be more expensive than just buying a less expensive set of chains.
The cheapest set I could find for my size tire was $800. I spent about 4 hours on this project. I essentially paid myself $155 an hour for making them myself.
That is fabulous for your time. That rate sound like changing the brakes on my VW passat. the shop wanted $1400, the complete kit cost 600 plus 60 for the tools, and 5 hours of time(included learning curve). That was about $140/hr. the second time i did the brakes it was faster. Good luck with the snow this winter. @@EverythingElliott
Plus, consider that's true for some. I have plenty of spare time and like doing fab. Saves money and is an enjoyable project
i,m
Thanks for Watching, Paul!
I do not buy anything from harbor freight I hate that Chinese junk. It always fails when you need it the most. I don't like the theory of their better than nothing.
While I agree on most of that statement, chain is pretty hard to mess up. And with the way I’m using it, I won’t be stressing the chain in anyway that it will break.
I would have agreed with you years ago, but they have stepped up their game.
@@EverythingElliott Got ya.