Homemade Tire Chain Installer

2022 - Volume #46, Issue #2, Page #04

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FARM SHOW contributor Tony Bunniss has invented a tool to streamline the process of putting tractor chains on his Deere 60 and 3010.
“Putting chains on my tractors for winter used to be a job and a half,” says Bunniss. “Now, I let the tractor and the tools do all the work.”
He found inspiration for his project at a sale featuring milling machines, lathes, and tooling, along with new and used repair parts. Bunniss purchased several cutters and the lead screw from a milling machine, which is a long bolt that moves the table of a milling machine. With these supplies, he created his custom chain installer.
The chain installer consists of two tools: the puller and a latching device.
“Setup is simple,” explains Bunniss. “I lay the chains on the ground, stretched out nice and straight. Then I drive the tractor onto the chains and tie one end to the tire. I then drive the tractor forward, pulling the chain up and over the wheel. When the end is on the top of the tire, I hook the inside chains together without clinching them tight and install my chain installer on the outside chain by hooking onto each end of the chain. Then I pull the ends of the chain together by tightening the lead screw with my impact wrench. When it gets close enough together, I then hook up the outside link. Then I put the installer on the inside chain and tighten that.”
The latch tool is made from a piece of flat steel with two bolts, drilled and tapped, with the heads cut off, that stick through it. He positioned it so the bolts stick through to ensure the device works on both sides of the tire. The latches on his chains did not have a hook initially, so he welded a small hook onto the latch.
Bunniss always starts the latching process with the inside chain because latching the last lock can be a challenge, depending on the tension on the chain. Any pressure will ease once you drive the tractor and let the chain cross links find their placement, but the process can be disconcerting in the middle of installation when it seems the chains won’t come together correctly.
You can learn more about this project by contacting Bunniss directly.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Tony Bunniss, Webster, Minn. (glennlee1964@gofast.am).

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Homemade Tire Chain Installer FARM SHOW contributor Tony Bunniss has invented a tool to streamline the process of putting tractor chains on his Deere 60 and 3010 “Putting chains on my tractors for winter used to be a job and a half ” says Bunniss “Now I let the tractor and the tools do all the work ” He found inspiration for his project at a sale featuring milling machines lathes and tooling along with new and used repair parts Bunniss purchased several cutters and the lead screw from a milling machine which is a long bolt that moves the table of a milling machine With these supplies he created his custom chain installer The chain installer consists of two tools: the puller and a latching device “Setup is simple ” explains Bunniss “I lay the chains on the ground stretched out nice and straight Then I drive the tractor onto the chains and tie one end to the tire I then drive the tractor forward pulling the chain up and over the wheel When the end is on the top of the tire I hook the inside chains together without clinching them tight and install my chain installer on the outside chain by hooking onto each end of the chain Then I pull the ends of the chain together by tightening the lead screw with my impact wrench When it gets close enough together I then hook up the outside link Then I put the installer on the inside chain and tighten that ” The latch tool is made from a piece of flat steel with two bolts drilled and tapped with the heads cut off that stick through it He positioned it so the bolts stick through to ensure the device works on both sides of the tire The latches on his chains did not have a hook initially so he welded a small hook onto the latch Bunniss always starts the latching process with the inside chain because latching the last lock can be a challenge depending on the tension on the chain Any pressure will ease once you drive the tractor and let the chain cross links find their placement but the process can be disconcerting in the middle of installation when it seems the chains won’t come together correctly You can learn more about this project by contacting Bunniss directly Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Tony Bunniss Webster Minn glennlee1964@gofast am

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