I have a Craftsman 24horse Lawn Tractor which I bought in '07 that for the most part like very much.
However during the winter it would seem that its design is seriously flawed at the brackets for the weight tray and tire chain clearance in relation to where the brackets mount. The first year the chains would slam into the provided hardware where the bracket arms connect to the tractor, and spin me round and round and eventually splaying open the connectors which dropped the chains. Because I had spun left and right so many other times without the chain falling off I never did notice that one side had fallen off its tire before I sucked the entire chain up into the auger. Lots of bending, twisting, swearing, but I finally got it out. Both chains continued to do this and I turned into a battering ram slash mini plow for the remainder of the winter.
This year I decided to not use the weight tray. I thought that I was golden until two storms ago when there was a loud BANG. I felt a wack under my foot but did not know what it was. A day later I noticed that one piece of chain that lay accross my right tire had dissappeared. I went and looked for it but could not find it. Hope the neighbor or one of a huge amount people that walk in front of my house just picked it up and threw it away.
Then this morning I was at it again. Making my second pass there was another BANG! This time it was even louder than before. I looked and the chain lay on the ground from my right tire. It had shattered into many pieces. How the heck!? It was like in 5 different pieces? I got off the tractor and looked at the clearance of the left side chain. No issue it would appear. I muttled through the rest of my snow all but the walkway which is impossible without chains. (I sucked up a large portion of the chain today as well gadfawnitt!)
I am putting the chains on correctly. At least I am following the directions. I am at a loss as to what could be doing this. I admit I am not a mech monkey and changed my power steering fluid thinking that I was changing my oil one time butsheesh....the chain just shattered driving straight in the middle of a flat driveway, in 1st gear on my second pass? Anyone have suggestions?
Other chain options? I see the rubber tire chains that are rubber 1" or so bands going accross the tires online. Does anyone know if these are any good? I am just looking to keep the chains on so I can snow blow.
What am I doing wrong?
Thank You.
