(Fwd) RE: (ET) tire chains

["David Roden (Akron OH USA)" <roden ald net>]

------- Forwarded message follows -------
From:                   "Pieter Litchfield" <plitch attglobal net>

I have some wide spaced (4 link?) chains.  I have a front loader attached, 
and 
use a rear weight box full of patio blocks as well as a set of chains even 
in 
summer to improve traction.  Even so, sometimes its not enough.  

Wheel weights would be nice as they are kinder to the tractor chassis than 
weights in a box - the load is entirely on the wheels, not transmitted via 
bearings, and also the center of gravity is much lower - a real plus with 
a full 
bucket!.   However, the rear mounted box gives more leverage so less 
weight is 
necessary to achieve the same balance as wheel weights.  Maybe I should do 
both.  

It is easy to make a weight box.  Mine sits on a steel frame that slides 
into the 
rear frame sockets (just like the mower support slides in the front 
sockets), and 
attaches with 1 bolt thru the tractor tow bar.  The bos itself I 
constructed out of 
3/4 plywood with steel slotted "l" angles to reinforce the corners.  No 
problems 
with it to date.