[sren3749]

Anyone using these or know of anybody who has them. Just had driveway paved in the fall of 2011 and was looking for alternative to steel chains.

 

[Hydriv]

I do not have personal experience with them. What I can tell you is that the topic has come up many times in the past. The consensus of opinion on rubber chains is this.

1. They are quite expensive to buy.

2. The do work but not quite as well as steel chains do.

Like most things in life, this is a trade-off. Higher cost and reduced performance in exchange for a damage-free surface.

 

[mtbiker60]

I have never used them, but found this site.
http://www.rubbertirechains.com/rubber- ... s-c-4.html

 

[Bill.H]

I do not have personal experience with them. What I can tell you is that the topic has come up many times in the past. The consensus of opinion on rubber chains is this.

1. They are quite expensive to buy.

2. The do work but not quite as well as steel chains do.

Like most things in life, this is a trade-off. Higher cost and reduced performance in exchange for a damage-free surface.

:+1:
There were several threads on these on MTF in the past. Hilda summed up all of them in two lines. :thumbsup:

 

[1031d]

One word. DON'T!!!!!! A guy I work with bought a set, tried them, hated them, I tried them and same thing. Feels like you strapped logs to your tires.

 

[Hydriv]

I am not challenging what your experience was with them. All I will say is, that's the first time I've heard about the ride being objectionable. Did both of you have them strapped to turf tires or Ag tires?

 

[GoldenCove]

I have not used rubber chains but I have a paved driveway with a little hill and my ag tires with wheel weights work great. I intend to add a bit more weight to the axle that can be removed easily but I will rarely need it. Those that need more weight load their tires with windshield washer or beet juice (rim guard). :letitsnow:

 

[1031d]

I am not challenging what your experience was with them. All I will say is, that's the first time I've heard about the ride being objectionable. Did both of you have them strapped to turf tires or Ag tires?

I had them on a set of ag tires and he had them on turf tires. Problem is the bars are thick and do not compress. My ag tires had 200# on each side. We followed the instructions to remove the valve core, install the chains reinflate, and they were snug but rode lumpy. We then tried putting them on loose and that wasnt any better. By the way we had 23x10.50x12 chains. Tires were Carlisle turf savers and Goodyear lugs. The chain bars are about as thick as the lugs are deep. We thought they'd be a good but we both went out and bought conventional chains instead anyways. They claim to have tons of happy customers, but I'd like to see proof of that.

 

[Hydriv]

OK.... thanks for all the added information. :thumbsup:

 

[k0jdd]

they were snug but rode lumpy.

Well that makes sense as you are essentially turning a round wheel into a toothed cog.

What I would like to know is did they work well enough to put up with a lumpy ride in exchange for protecting the driveway surface? You stated that both of you bought standard chains, but it would be incorrect of me to assume whether or not protecting the driveway surface was a factor in that decision.

John

PS - I sent them a note asking if they sell a 2-link model that would have less space between the bars and possibly ride better

 

[99flhr]

FWIW, my steel chains don`t exactly give a cloud like ride. :sidelaugh:

 

[1031d]

I spent $9000 having my driveway repaved and widened and my buddy had his done in 2010. He said the bouncing around hurt his back and when I tried them it made me sick to my stomache, almost sea sick. For what damage my chains did to the old sealed driveway I could fix with a small pail of sealer and it disappears. Seriously, if you want to duplicate the ride lay out a bunch of plaster lathe strips and drive over them. It was worse than a steel wheeled farm tractor in road gear(dont ask :sidelaugh: )

 

[k0jdd]

I sent them a note asking if they sell a 2-link model that would have less space between the bars and possibly ride better

Response received:

We currently use 3-link spacing for smaller
chains and 4-link for larger ones. This is primarily to reduce cost;
however, we are planning to add a 3-link option to all chains at a slightly
higher (about 10%) cost.

When we start selling the 2-link spacing we will notify everyone VIA our
newsletter. You can sign up for the newsletter here:
http://www.rubbertirechains.com/newsletter.html

 

[1031d]

FWIW, my steel chains don`t exactly give a cloud like ride. :sidelaugh:

I have chains on 2 of my tractors, a Simplicity 3212H and a 195 and I do not even know they are there. If going from a 4 link chain to a 3 link is 10% then 2 link must be 20% more? So then you would have close to $200 in a set for a high wheel, dont seem worth it to me.

 

[Hydriv]

FWIW, my steel chains don`t exactly give a cloud like ride. :sidelaugh:

I have chains on 2 of my tractors, a Simplicity 3212H and a 195 and I do not even know they are there.

Maybe your ass is too fat. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[1031d]

Maybe your ass is too fat. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Hey hey now, I'm in shape, round is a shape!!!! :sidelaugh: :sidelaugh: :sidelaugh: I just consider myself a 230# counter weight that's all :sidelaugh: