Cutting Double Ring Chains?

Tim in New York · Jan 18, 2016

I inherited a set of double ring chains that are way too wide for my 14.9 X24 tires. They came off a JD loader tractor - I think it was a 301? Many of the center links are starting to get thin and oval. I was thinking about cutting out maybe 3 sets of rings in the center of the crosslinks and replacing those with a heavy repair link, then welding it shut. Will I be able to cut those rings with an angle grinder?

Tim

RESLLS · Jan 18, 2016

Angle grinder, bolt cutter, torch, put in a vice and hack saw/recip saw. Any will work, they are not that hard.

Adirondack case guy · Jan 18, 2016

Heck yes!!! why did you ask if you know how to weld.
Loren, the Acg.

Russ from MN · Jan 18, 2016

You can cut darn near anything with an angle grinder with the right wheel!

Tim in New York · Jan 18, 2016

Don't know how to weld - but I got a neighbor who is a pro. Will hire him to do that part.

markct · Jan 18, 2016

Bolt cutter will simply notch the jaws if they are good chains

Adirondack case guy · Jan 18, 2016

Where in NY do you live?? I'm in the Cooperstown area.
Loren

Bob Bancroft · Jan 18, 2016

Thruway closed to double trailers from Syr. to Schenectady. You getting hammered over there? It's been missing us so far.

JD Seller · Jan 18, 2016

Tim I have cut a bunch of chains down over the years. On the double ring chains all you need is a four inch grinder with a cut off wheel in it. It will cut fast and clean. Rather than us a repair link just cut the next set of rings and then spread them over the last good rings you want/need. Then squeeze them together and weld the cut closed. With a good weld they will look like factory.

Adirondack case guy · Jan 18, 2016

there was a narrow band of snow moveing southward from Lake Ontario that hit west of me and is causing some miserable conditions just to the west of me. It's snowing here and the state DOT is out and plowing, but no crisis.
Loren

rrc300 u · Jan 18, 2016

I don't think the rings are very hard the entire way through. The outsides must be hard though. The set I have has been in use for 10-12 winters and just this past year they rusted over the summer. They hang on the same hooks in the same shed every summer. All I can figure is that some layer of different metal wore off of them.
I do like jd seller idea of shortening them up by slicing and welding the good rings.

howdy1960 · Jan 18, 2016

I live 20 miles north of the Syracuse exit for thruway and took me about 10 minutes to drive 3/8 mile, call in not gonna make it and drive back 3/8 mile. Phone call took all of 2 minutes. And the wind wasn't even blowing.

bobwny · Jan 19, 2016

agree with markct,chains are hard on bolt cutters unless you need notched jaws.

Cutting Double Ring Chains?

Tim in New York

Member

RESLLS

Well-known Member

Adirondack case guy

Well-known Member

Russ from MN

Well-known Member

Tim in New York

Member

markct

Well-known Member

Adirondack case guy

Well-known Member

Bob Bancroft

Well-known Member

JD Seller

Well-known Member

Adirondack case guy

Well-known Member

rrc300 u

Member

howdy1960

Well-known Member

bobwny

Member

Similar threads