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This is the time of year when Snowblowers start selling like gang busters. Everyone in New England remembers last winter’s deep snow and infamous ice storm. So as soon as the first chill hits the air and the leaves start to turn, it’s time to fix the old snowblower or buy a new one.

Over the past 10 years, some snowblower manufacturers such as Ariens and Toro have replaced the old turf tread tire with Snow Hog and X-trac tires, mostly made by Carlisle Tire. The idea was to get away from using tire chains on the old original equipment turf tread tires. But, instead, it created the need for more styles of snow blower tire chains, rather than eliminating tire chains. Why? Well, mainly because when you mix tire tread rubber and hard pack snow or ice you get a spinning tire with little traction. No wonder the commercials on tv show a nice flat driveway with light fluffy snow! Chains were needed in the past as well as on today’s machines for superior traction.

Let’s talk about the different styles available:

1. Standard 2 or 4 Link Chain:

These styles generally fit the older snowblowers with turf treaded tires. They are made in approximately 40 tires sizes which include many larger sizes that fit lawn tractors that have snowblower units mounted on the front end. Although available in 4 link cross chain spacing, most buyers want the 2 link cross chain spacing chains because you get double the traction. I’d say 80-90% of our buyers want 2 link spacing chain.

2. Snow Hog chain:

The Snow Hog chain looks looks just like the 2 link chain above, it is made with larger and thicker cross chain links which help the cross chain stand above the deep knobby tread pattern of the Snow Hog tire in the picture to the right. Snow Hog chain is too large for turf treaded tires and 2 or 4 link standard chain is too short to fit Snow Hog tires.

3. V-Bar chain:

V-bar chain are limited to a couple sizes in the lawn tractor category: 23x1050x12 and 26x1200x12. V-bar chain provide excellent traction on ice. This style is more commonly seen in ATV tire chains and Light Truck tire chains.

4. X-Trac chain:

X-Trac chains are custom made by Ken Jones Tires. The are designed to fit the Carlisle X-Trac tire which is the most recent tread design for snowblower tires. These tires are even more aggressive than the Snow Hog and require an x-pattern style chain to ensure the cross chains do not fall in between the tire lugs.

As you can see, snowblower tires chains can be confusing and complex. It’s important to talk to a tire chain professional who can guide you to the correct chain that will fit your machine properly. It’s not fun when you are readly to remove the snow piled in your driveway only to find the chains you bought don’t fit your machine!

Have a great week!

Brian

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