Tire chains came today

Thank you to all the folks who answered my question about ordering from tirechains.com. The chains came today, I put them on and they are a bit big but that is fine with me as I would rather have them big than small. They seem very nice and solid, each chain weighs about 90#. The only thing that I am not sure about is that each chain only has one of the locking clips on it and the other side just has an open hook. Looks like I will have to get them tighter than I am accustomed in order to keep the side from coming unhooked, or maybe replace it with something that closes.
Zach

I have never had a problem of the hook coming undone. I did try chain tightners and that only pulled the chain down in the lugs, let them flop a bit.

I believe, (stand to be corrected LOL) but you should have some tensioners, they sell those too, of course many use bungy cords, but that seems to keep them right.

I went the "whole nine yards" and bought the little load binder, TSC has the same one, as I am sure those can be sourced easily, makes it easier to pull the slack out and hook the ends so that you end up with less slack. I would get something for tensioners, run them a bit and re-tighten.

I found with the double ring type on 13.6x28 from them, that it appeared I had a slight bit of extra slack, and I could not get past the outside link hardware to get to another link and cinch them up a bit, thought hmmmm.... maybe something is off... but.... fast forward to the end of september, I was pulling logs and had my counterweight on, a heavy cast iron weight alleged from a ford aircraft tug, the tires were squashing too much, checked the pressure, it was next to nothing, cacl loaded tires too. So I got them to 14 psi or close, and noticed that this may have been what the problem was, I'll know when I put them on.

I thought I read on their site and they should have sent instructions as well, that they need to be fit right, not sure how tight or how loose, seems the cross chains flap a bit as they come up when going forward, which would self clean, but I interpreted that as being the cause of excess wear, don't really know either way. I would also think they should not be cinched so tight they don't move a bit either, but it seems in my case the fit should be just right now. Mine seem to stay centered, the chain and spring tensioners were worth the money, but you do have to make sure not to lose any pieces they come apart when off, so I used the cloth bags they sent with the order, then put them in the 50lb feed bags. I think the whole affair was a tad over $400 but if you need chains, its a must have, and I am thankful to have been able to afford a set after needing them for many years, especially given the slopes, ice hard pack snow conditions at times also working close to embankments, one has to be careful and good traction makes the difference, I used to spin at the end of the push when clearing snow in the driveway, embankment in front, bucket of course sand saw lots of use, now I don't need that much at all.

The last set I had here was on the 64 4000, and I had a set of ladder type on an IH 460 utility with turf tires, friend has those on his 640 ford, and the pair that was on the 4000 are now on the 3600 ford, same pair going back to the 70's and hardly any wear.

I always put that hook on the inside. Hook it first and hook it as tight as you can.

Then when you pull the chains to the outside it will tighten it even more.

Hook the outside as tight as possible. The inside won"t come unhooked.

I like the hooks better that the latches.

After you run them a bit take another link up on the outside.

Gary

Thank you all, I will have to wait till the ground freezes again and I am back to the woods to test the chains and see if they will stay hooked. I have a set of duo grips on the Massey 35 that have latched on both sides and I run them fairly loose, they do seem to clean fairly well that way. I have never used any kind of tensioners on it, but the circle of the side chains is a good 6" down each side of the tire so there is no way they can come off while driving.
Zach

No worry's about the hook, it won't come unhooked. I have a several sets of chains with the hooks both tractors and trucks and I have never had one come unhooked. I run in all conditions, loose, tight, slow fast.

Mine were a bit too big too, so I use long tarp straps 90 degrees apart on the inside and outside of each wheel.

I also use the rubber tarp straps on mine. I like them just tight enough so they don't hit the fenders. Works better that way.

Put the hook on the inside. I have never had one come undone. I have used the rubber canvas straps to keep them tight also. Just buy the good ones and not the Harbor Freight specials. I have put a zip tie or wire on the outside latch to keep it from coming open.

I had them pull in the lugs when using tarp straps as well. Loose is OK but too loose and they will come off. About 3" sag when they come off the ground should be OK.

They look good.
I ordered a set of those duogrips from tirechain.com 12 years ago. Used them for 3 or 4 years then sold the tractor for a larger one. So the chains went with it.
If you get your side chains tight you don't need rubber bungies. I chain up every year, don't use bungies and have never lost a chain.
My dad always scoffed at people who used bungies, coat hang wires, twine, ropes, etc on their chains. Said people didn't know how to put chains on properly.
I agree with him.

Don't worry over the hook. You want some play in the chains so they clear themselves of mud and snow.

You should have let me know you are looking, I have a set for my H I want to get rid of.

Whenever I get a new set of chains, just as a matter of principle I do a little trick that I was taught many many years ago. I take a pair of bolt cutters and cut the hooks or latches off the chains and replace them with heavy duty stainless steel screw-links. Never had one come undone yet, and I DON"T use any tensioners.

Doc