Buying Skidder Tire Chains
Anyone involved in the forestry or logging business knows a
thing or two about skidder tire chains. Skidders, those heavy,
four-wheel tractors used to haul logs - especially over rugged
terrain, are an extremely useful tool for getting logs from one
location to another. Because the landscape around loggers tends
to be more harsh than most drivers are used to, special skidder
tires provide extra traction.
Of course, when skidder tires aren't enough, skidder tire chains
can provide the extra traction necessary to get through any job.
Running upwards of $1,000, skidder tire chains are available in
several different varieties. With grapple skidders, most loggers
prefer to use heavier skidder tire chains because of the
horsepower. For the forwarders, which don't have a lot of
clearance, the same result can be achieved with lighter tire
chains.
As with other tire chains, the golden rule for getting the best
performance is to keep them tight. If the skidder tire chains
are too loose, they wear out. Of course, some loggers experience
the other extreme - they put the tire chains on so tight that
the tires wear out right in the center. The best advice is to
follow the manufacturer's directions for installation. Once
you've got your tire chains on, remember to rotate them every
800 or 1,000 hours, as tire chains wear down just as tires do.
By taking care of their tire chains, a logger can expert a set
to last three to five seasons.
When looking for new skidder tire chains, the ideal time to buy
is when purchasing new tires. Not only does this ensure a better
fit, but it also allows for easy installation to ensure that the
chains fit the tire properly.
By purchasing the right tire chains for your skidder tires and
taking good care of the chains, loggers can get years of use out
of a product that can cut deep into pocketbooks.