Chains Pros/Cons where to buy?
Forums Archive Index > Outdoor Power Equipment > Chains Pros/Cons where to buy?
Author: Toro726
Date: 21 Dec 2005 8:54 pm
What are the pros and cons of chains on a snowblower? Also, do you guys know where the best quality/price on chains can be had? I have a friend that claims that chains are the best upgrade you can do for a snowblower. I have an 1989 Toro 824 with the following numbers on the side of the tires 14x4.00-6
Thanks,
Jason
Author: snowshoveler
Date: 21 Dec 2005 8:58 pm
that there toro got snow hogg tires on it...
if so then you will need special chains for it and they aint cheep.
most times the snow hogg tire is very good without chains.
the chains will help a bit on steep driveways or areas prone to a lot of ice.
chris
Author: Termy
Date: 21 Dec 2005 8:58 pm
The chain could get rusty or frozen from the ice. :shock:
Author: Toro726
Date: 21 Dec 2005 9:20 pm
I'm not sure if it has Snow Hoggs on it... Can you tell from this picture?
Thanks,
Jason
Author: Termy
Date: 21 Dec 2005 9:24 pm
Geez, does your pic have to be so huge! :lol:
Note to everyone...Size your pics to 800 * 600 or lower before posting.
Author: Toro726
Date: 21 Dec 2005 9:27 pm
Oh, I though you would need to see the pours in the rubber to know if they were Snow Hoggs or not. :wink:
Author: Bill_D
Date: 21 Dec 2005 9:58 pm
If I were you, I would just invest in a new set of tires. Rubber compounds are made so soft these days, you really dont need chains anymore. Carlisle tire should have any size you need. Maybe call your local Toro dealer and see what they have/reccomend as well. Any tire shop should be able to dismount and mount your new ones for ya. for probably 20 bucks at best, since no balancing is required obviously, but I would change the valve stem while your in there if they are indeed tubeless ones. Have them put some bead sealer on the rim if they are not. 8)
Author: robmints
Date: 21 Dec 2005 10:30 pm
41.99 at Jacks.
http://www.jackssmallengines.com/chains.cfm
Not too bad a price for most size chains at Jacks. You can check around and see if you can beat it.
Xtracs would be nice also. I could not find your size though. A little different size might work though. Would cost about the same and give you a smoother less damaging ride.
Author: Toro726
Date: 22 Dec 2005 6:47 am
Thanks for all the info guys! I'll have to weigh tires vs chains too I guess. I'll let you know what I decide.
Jason
Author: ramit
Date: 22 Dec 2005 11:28 am
I asked the same Q to my ope dealer/owner Gary, he sells the Toros.
He said mostly the Toro's don't need them.
Toro sells them, but he also sells an aftermarket chain that fits, works just as good at 1/2 price.
He told me to try it first w/o the chains.
Your's dont look like the new Snow Hogs.
I don't know if Chris is also refering to an "old" snow hog tire.
But I would guess the chains would give better performance in the ice?
This is the "Snow Hog" on the new Toros...
I had chains on my old craftsman 5/25. They lasted the life of the machine, ~15-16years. I'm sure they were nothing great as far as pedigree.
Gary said, maybe if I was on a bad ice base I might see the need.
I never had them off of my old 5/25, and still haven't popped the cherry on the new Toro, so I have no idea yet.
I've been told they mark up the cement and blacktop as one of the negatives.
I never saw them mark up my cement sidewalks. I have seen them markup my blacktop driveway. But the marks seem to melt away on the blacktop during the summer.
With the old 5/25, I used to have the tires w/ the chains spinning on the ice on the street on my plow packed EOD, trying to get through it. But that machine hardly weighed in at 125lbs I think. I was able to lift that machine by myself into the back of my pickup with a bearhug.
So with heavy weight of the Toro, I'm wondering what the traction will be like with hogs, no chains and more then double the weight.
Author: jubol
Date: 22 Dec 2005 12:06 pm
:D Ramit,
They look just like the ones on my Husqvarna.
On the sidewall they say "X Track".
Check yours and see what they have on them!!
Fred
Author: ramit
Date: 22 Dec 2005 2:51 pm
jubol wrote:
:D Ramit,
They look just like the ones on my Husqvarna.
On the sidewall they say "X Track".
Check yours and see what they have on them!!
Fred
:oops: Yup Fred, I was mistaken, your right, they Say X Trac on them.
For some reason Snow Hog stuck in my head.
Sorry Jason.
-Bob
Author: Bill_D
Date: 22 Dec 2005 3:02 pm
I have same tires on my Toro Ramit. X's, they work GREAT!!!!
Author: Garandman
Date: 23 Dec 2005 5:21 am
Look on eBay. People who have upgraded to the new treads are getting rid of them. I have 3 sets of 4.10x6 and one 4.80x8 I'll get rid of next month.
Author: jubol
Date: 23 Dec 2005 5:40 am
Just go search "X Trac tires" on Ebay.
I found 3 sets!!
Fred
Author: dave___in___ct
Date: 23 Dec 2005 10:30 am
Hi...
Chains for snowblower tires...
I used an inexpensive home-grown solution...
Bought chain made for old-time double hung windows with the weights in the sash pockets... i.e... sash-chain instead of sash-rope...
It's a pretty much flat chain... find it in hardware stores...
The tricky part is to get it attached to the tires/rims... maybe one loop at a time around the tire/rim... with the ends wired together... it will be doable...
The machine is not very "bouncy" with flat chains... as it will be with thick chains...
Another idea... flat head, short, sheet metal screws... screwed into the thick lugs of the tire tread...
Can also get more expensive hardened screws made for motorcycle tires for ice... maybe something similar for snowmobile tracks... ?
Dave...
Author: Toro726
Date: 25 Dec 2005 9:43 am
Wow, those are some great and thrifty ideas there. I really like sheet metal screws idea. I'm not sure how good a job I could do with the flat window sash chains... My brother (tallyhoe on the board) also has a Toro 824 that he just got chains for locally. I'll probably wait to see how well they work for him before I do anything. Thanks much for all the information. This board is a great place to hang out.
Merry Christmas!
Jason
Author: dave___in___ct
Date: 25 Dec 2005 10:48 am
Thanks Jason...
My son used the sheet metal screws on his dirt bike tires... the wore out faily quick on the rear tire due to spinning the tire a lot ... bt should last a long time on a snowblower...
Stick around and enjoy the forum !
Dave...
Author: SnowPro
Date: 26 Dec 2005 1:48 pm
dave___in___ct wrote:
Hi...
Another idea... flat head, short, sheet metal screws... screwed into the thick lugs of the tire tread...
Can also get more expensive hardened screws made for motorcycle tires for ice... maybe something similar for snowmobile tracks... ?
Dave...
I really like that idea! :D
Studded tires should really bite into the snow and ice. Never thought of that, even though, the government has now allowed us to stud our tires for cars. The winter tires on my trucks and my wife's car can be studded.
I have been fussing with the chains lately, and thinking its time to toss them and the tires.
Great tip :!:
Ken
8)