Tire Chains: The Solution for Your Snow, Ice, and Mud Woes

If you’ve ever performed an uncontrolled slide on ice with your vehicle or gotten stuck in mud or snow with your wheels spinning fruitlessly, you’re probably not eager to repeat the experience.

That’s where tire chains come in.

“But what are those?” you might be wondering.

We’re glad you asked. Take a read through our quick primer to learn the basics of tire chains and how they can help you and your equipment.

You’ll find that giving yourself that extra grip can not only prevent you from experiencing the hassle and worry of getting in sticky situations but can also change the way you use your equipment.

For example, they can be used on an ATV, which will be handy during your off-roading adventures, but they’re also helpful if you’d like to plow snow with your ATV come wintertime.

However, if you want to use them for a vehicle you’re taking onto the road, you’ll want to check local laws, as tire chain regulations vary by state.

What tire chains do I need?

Tire chains come in a variety of sizes and types to fit many different wheels.

For example, The ROP Shop offers tire chains specifically for turf tires. These chains have simple horizontal cross-chains, sometimes called “ladder pattern” or “ladder style.”

However, if you have lug, ag, or bar tires that you’re looking to give better grip to, then you’ll want diamond-style chains. If you used turf chains in these cases, they could fall in between the treads, rendering them pointless as they won’t be making much contact with the ground.

Once you know what style of tire chain you need, you’ll want to consider sizing. Tire chains are not one size fits all. Even a slight miscalculation can result in chains that don’t fit correctly.

To determine the proper tire chain size for your equipment, you’ll want to know the outer diameter, width, and rim diameter of the wheels.

Where can I use tire chains?

Tire chains can be used on a variety of applications.

Local regulations permitting, they can be used on your car or truck. In addition to this, you could use tire chains for your lawnmower, lawn tractor, snowblower, ATV, UTV, and more. Given that you likely do encounter some slippery conditions with such types of equipment, be it mud or snow, you probably see the logic of keeping a pair of chains (or two) handy.

How much do tire chains cost?

Pricing can vary depending on the size, material, and complexity of the tire chains you purchase.

For example, our tire chains are available for tires ranging from 13” to 29” in diameter, and prices run from approximately $20-$50 per tire.

However, tire chains for a truck could cost $50-$200 per tire, and if you want to outfit your tractor with some tire chains, be prepared to spend a few hundred dollars per tire.

Are there drawbacks to using tire chains?

Tire chains may seem pretty great, and there’s no doubt that they can be massively helpful.

However, that doesn’t mean you need to install them immediately on every wheel you own or that you should leave them on your equipment all year round.

There are some potential issues with using tire chains that you’ll want to be aware of before you start using them.

For example:

• If installed incorrectly, tire chains can damage your equipment.
• They reduce your equipment’s fuel efficiency.¹
• It’s recommended that you keep your speed to a maximum of 30 mph while using tire chains.¹ (i.e., they’re not an excuse to drive quickly in dangerous conditions.)
• If used on roads without snow or ice, tire chains can damage the roads as well as your wheels.²

None of the above means that you should never use tire chains in any circumstance. Rather, it simply means that you should take care with when and how you use them.

How do you use tire chains?

Conclusion

When used properly, tire chains can be a great tool to prevent you from slipping or getting stuck. If you’re ready to give your equipment that extra boost of traction, go ahead and browse our selection of turf tire chains.

Need some help with your purchase? Contact us, and we’ll help you out.