Inside, outside, upside down

[JohnD 145]

I pulled my chains off last weekend and was surprised to see they aren't symmetric.  These are fancier than the last set I picked up. 

 

Is the top (far) view the inside (diameter)? 

 

Is the bottom (near) view the outside (diameter)? 

 

I ask because the PO had them on opposite (inside out).  Did they want to reduce the bite, or is there a reason to get better bite into the rubber? 

[echris 1,425]

31 minutes ago, JohnD said:

I pulled my chains off last weekend and was surprised to see they aren't symmetric.  These are fancier than the last set I picked up. 

 

Is the top (far) view the inside (diameter)? 

 

Is the bottom (near) view the outside (diameter)? 

 

I ask because the PO had them on opposite (inside out).  Did they want to reduce the bite, or is there a reason to get better bite into the rubber? 

The chain in the lower pic is what should be hitting the road.
Those "barbs" are intended to dig into the roadway and pull you along.

[ebinmaine 67,309]

6 hours ago, echris said:

The chain in the lower pic is what should be hitting the road.
Those "barbs" are intended to dig into the roadway and pull you along.

Nailed it. Cleats Down. 

 

Around here we refer to those as "ice chains". 

I've run both. 

They do make a bit of difference on smooth ice. 

Not noticable on snow. 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,494]

 

I would think running them with cleats against the tires would also do a number on your tires... more so then just the smooth side of the chains...

 

Edited November 12, 2020 by SylvanLakeWH

[JohnD 145]

Thanks all.  The tires still look okay for 37 year old tires.  Maybe the chains were reinstalled right before the PO sold it, and I've only put about 5-10 hours on it before I noticed this.  I'll see how they do this year while I plow uphill on salted blacktop (no chains), and maybe get tires with a more aggressive tread next year (or after the first snowfall!). 

[ebinmaine 67,309]

7 minutes ago, JohnD said:

Thanks all.  The tires still look okay for 37 year old tires.  Maybe the chains were reinstalled right before the PO sold it, and I've only put about 5-10 hours on it before I noticed this.  I'll see how they do this year while I plow uphill on salted blacktop (no chains), and maybe get tires with a more aggressive tread next year (or after the first snowfall!). 

Plowing is all about WEIGHT and traction. One without the other is greatly reducing the effectiveness. 

If you're on asphalt and don't want to damage it you can get rubber chains. 

[JohnD 145]

The plan is for my wife to be able to plow the typical 1" to 3" snowfalls we get before her students come walking down the driveway (hill).  She can plow it to the sides and then I'll finish the rest when I get home with my walk behind snowthrower.  When it is deeper the students won't come and I'll do the whole job with the snowthrower. 

 

I have the wheel weights on the back, so I'll find out how well this configuration works.  Of course with COVID-19 this winter the students might not be coming... 

 

Would a rear bracket for suitcase weights be a custom build on a C-175, or are they available (NOS, used)? 

[ebinmaine 67,309]

Not sure about the bracket but receiver hitches are available. Could put a weight box off that. 

More the better especially on a hill. 

 

You'll likely want to do something with the front tires for steering traction as well. 

 

@Ed KennellKennell

@953 nut @pfrederi all could make recommendations there. 

 

 

[953 nut 55,099]

I have added tubes and RV Antifreeze to the rear tires of my snow movers in addition to cast iron weights and chains. The liquid filled tires are the most economical way to gain traction.

     SIZE                 GALLONS Per Tire                WEIGHT in POUNDS

• 16x6.50-8               2.0                            21.4
• 18x7.00-8               3.0                            32.1 
• 18x8.50-8               3.4                            36.4 
• 18x9.50-8               4.0                            42.8
• 23x8.50-12             5.5                            58.9
• 23x10.50-12           6.8                            72.8
• 6-12                        3.6                            38.5