Car grouser tests. Do-it-yourself snow chains for a car: getting ready for the winter season in advance. Consider the order of operations

Many farmers and gardeners are interested in how to make lugs for a walk-behind tractor. Motoblocks and motor cultivators various brands designed for farming and gardening, processing household plots. With the help of these units, you can loosen the soil, plant, weed and dig potatoes (and other crops). But all these operations are carried out in the presence of additional equipment (coulters, plows, trailers, snow plows, etc.).

What are lugs for?

One of the important attributes of walk-behind tractors are lugs and wheel weights.

The lugs penetrate deep into the soil, preventing the machine from turning to the side, and the weights make the weight of the wheels larger, which contributes to the smooth operation of the units.


There are situations when it is not possible to buy factory goods. The question arises, how to make lugs for a walk-behind tractor with your own hands.

Types of lugs for motor cultivators are different. The lugs may consist of machine discs or used gas cylinders. The design is chosen by the owner depending on the available material.

How to make do-it-yourself lugs

Homemade lugs for a walk-behind tractor can be made from machine disks. If the farmer has old car, which is a pity to throw into a landfill, with whole discs and rims, then you can make lugs for a walk-behind tractor from them car rims.


For this you will need:

  • rims;
  • welding machine (or grinder);
  • square plates;
  • drawing or diagram of lugs on a walk-behind tractor (it will greatly facilitate the work).

So, in order to make lugs for a walk-behind tractor from the disks of the machine, you need to weld the axle shaft to them, on which bearings are then put on. Square-shaped plates must be welded to the disks from the car.

After the procedures done, it is necessary to make tooth plates that will bite into the soil, providing the necessary grip with it. Teeth can be made from solid metal layers by cutting with a welding machine right size or by welding together small plates.

The teeth are welded to square plates on disks at a distance of 15-16 cm from each other. Please allow 2-3 cm deviation, but for better work unit, you must strictly follow the instructions of the drawings and diagrams.

If the old car is not available, but there is a used gas bottle, that is, another way to make lugs on a walk-behind tractor with your own hands.

For this you will need:

  • gas cylinder (used);
  • grinder or welding machine;
  • metal plates for teeth;
  • drawings or diagrams of lugs for a walk-behind tractor of the desired brand.

First you need to cut out two discs from the cylinder, which will serve as rims for the wheels of the walk-behind tractor. Then, as in the first version, weld square plates, and teeth to them.


Another option is to weld the lugs out of steel plates. For this you will need:

  • steel layers 4-5 mm thick;
  • steel layers 6-8 mm thick;
  • welding machine or grinder;
  • drill or hammer drill.

A thinner sheet must be cut into two disks, in the center of which holes must be made for the hub. Cut sawtooth waves along the outer edges, with a wave depth of 100 mm. From a denser steel layer, it is necessary to cut out triangles with cut corners, weld them perpendicular to the waves. The design is ready for use.

Of course, such lugs differ in appearance from their counterparts, but they also have many advantages.

What sizes to take

On the Internet you can find many drawings and diagrams for self-manufacturing lugs. But what sizes correspond to a particular brand? Sometimes this is not indicated in the drawings.


So, the most common motor cultivators are: Neva, Mole, Salute, Oka, Bison, Centaur. Consider Neva walk-behind tractors.

Grousers for Neva walk-behind tractors are perfect for Salyut and Favorit motor-cultivators.
Dimensions for homemade tools for a walk-behind tractor: height - 34 cm, width - 11 cm. These dimensions are shown in the drawing, as well as all the small details that must be observed for good work with the ground. By the way, lugs homemade version they do a little more than the factory ones, because difficult to accurately size. Dimensions for motoblocks of other brands vary from 34 cm to 70 cm and above.

Consider the main functions of the lugs on the Neva walk-behind tractor:

  1. Better plowing of land.
  2. The installed tools make the walk-behind tractor heavier and better to use, which improves soil handling and allows you to work with heavy hinged structures.
  3. This product helps to climb uphill with a full trailer in a fairly short time.
  4. The teeth cling to small and large plant roots, tearing them out.

How to make lugs for the Neva walk-behind tractor

Consider how to independently make lugs for the Neva MB and Neva MB-2 walk-behind tractor.
These walk-behind tractors differ from each other in weight and transmission.

Because the Neva MB motoblock has a weight of 75 kg, and the Neva MB-2 has a weight of 100 kg, some land work may not be available due to lack of mass.

In such cases, make homemade weighting agents or buy them.

To weight the wheels of a walk-behind tractor, it is important to know that the extra weight should not exceed 50 kg. This must be taken into account when making homemade products.

There are a lot of ways to add weight to wheels, each farmer comes up with something of his own. You can add sinkers using a metal pancake and weights of 5 and 10 kg. For this to outside wheel (front) is attached to the pancake and using drilled holes and additional structures, the weights are attached to the axis of the unit, increasing the weight of the wheels and facilitating the work of the walk-behind tractor.

You can add weight to the wheels with the help of rims, pouring them with concrete and inserting them into the lugs to the walk-behind tractor, with inside wheels hang weights (if needed).


A person living in an agricultural area or simply owning a summer house should keep such a device as a walk-behind tractor on the farm. Such special equipment will greatly facilitate the process of plowing and hilling the land, and can also be useful when planting and digging potatoes and other agricultural work. But for any type of work, trailer canopies are needed. You can buy equipment at mall, but you can make lugs for a walk-behind tractor with your own hands.

Grousers are designed to facilitate the plowing of the earth. They look like large, steel wheels with angled spikes, with which they cling tightly to the ground. To make lugs for a walk-behind tractor with my own hands, you will need suitable material and devices. A pair of disks, a grinder and an electric welding machine are not as difficult to find as giving a decent amount for store fixtures.

Grousers for a walk-behind tractor made of car rims

The simplest answer to the question of how to make lugs on a walk-behind tractor is to use old car rims. In addition, you can use not only car wheels, but also any others: tractor, motorcycle or from under an old walk-behind tractor. Before proceeding to work, it is necessary to carefully study the diagrams and drawings. Examples ready-made solutions for the production of home-made lugs for a walk-behind tractor from car rims are shown below.

To make good soil hooks, you must follow these instructions:

  • Attach iron strips to the disks, which will be used to strengthen the spikes. In the manufacture of the lugs, it is recommended to screw the plates under the spikes to the disk with bolts.
  • Make spikes from 2 iron plates. The spikes should look like 100-120 degree corners. Since they are designed to work with soil, the width must be made quite large.

The length of the teeth can vary significantly, it all depends on the model or modification of the walk-behind tractor.

  • Screw the spikes onto the iron strips. The gap between each tooth should be from 14 to 18 cm.

For better work, you can increase the spikes, for which an additional tooth should be attached to all the holds. In general, to make such equipment, it is not necessary to use disks - almost any rounded steel object will fit for this. For example, you can cut a pair of iron rims from a gas cylinder and weld corners to them.

If everything is done according to the instructions, then an excellent lure for a walk-behind tractor will come out, which will delight with work for many years. The main thing is not to forget about the correct operation. A minitractor with such hooks must be used exclusively on the soil. This applies not only to do-it-yourself equipment, but also for shop lugs.

If you use them on asphalt or stones, you can ruin the lugs themselves, the surface and, most importantly, put yourself in danger.

Dimensions of lugs for walk-behind tractors

The heavier the technique, the better and more practical it is. In high-class, heavy equipment, it is allowed to work even on hard ground, with which a light minitractor copes with considerable difficulty. require the same not small lugs. In general, the scale of the lugs depends on the size of the walk-behind tractor. The height of the equipment can be from 310 to 700 mm, and the width from 100 up to 200 mm. Grouser dimensions must be selected based on the modification of the unit. Scales certain models presented below.

Neva

You need to purchase walk-behind tractors that can adapt to each attachment, or, more simply, universal. However, what to do when the farm already has a Neva mini tractor, which is by no means considered universal. The wheels of this apparatus for working with soil have scales from 340-360 to 90-110 mm, and on the Neva MB 480-500 x 190-200. In the production of a homemade hook for the Neva, you need to take into account that the height should be 340-360 mm, and the width 90-110.

Salute

In this case, you can assemble the lug according to the same scheme as the Neva. The size of the wheels Ugra MB or Salyut is from 480-500 to 190-200 mm. Thus, the lug must be made 48-50 cm long and 19-20 cm wide, the same dimensions are made on the Oka of the MB series.

Centaur

The wheels in the Centaur are similar to those in the Neva walk-behind tractors. Their difference is that the Centaur's wheel length is eleven cm longer than on the Neva. In the production of a lug, it is necessary to make it 450 mm long and 110 wide, the same dimensions for the Zirka, Vityaz, Aurora, Bulat models. Such a hook will fit the Centaur 2060 and 2090, and in addition to various units with similar dimensions. In a shopping center, the cost of similar lugs is 2000-2500 rubles.

MTZ

Despite the fact that MTZ walk-behind tractors are of Belarusian production, the cost of such units is quite considerable. The approximate price of a lug for MTZ is from 4000 to 5000 rubles. The fact is that the wheels of these walk-behind tractors are quite large, their size is 540-600x130-170 mm. To make a grouser for motoblock MTZ with your own hands, you must follow the instructions described earlier and make the values ​​\u200b\u200bcorresponding to these wheels, that is, 540-600x130-170. The same dimensions are used for Agro models.

Cayman Vario

The French company Cayman produces excellent walk-behind tractors, the price of which can exceed 60-70 thousand rubles. Also optional equipment they are by no means low cost. The price of a lug for Cayman Vario is from 5 to 7 thousand rubles. Their size is 460x160 mm, there are also elongated 600x130 millimeters. The same dimensions are used on the Caiman Elite, Compact, Eco, Promo, Primo, Q Junior series. You can also make a lug yourself, although a person who allows himself to buy such a walk-behind tractor will be able to purchase any equipment for him from the store.

Oka

Motoblocks Oka - domestic production, a fairly common product in the territory Russian Federation. Farmers and amateurs are increasingly trying to make additional equipment for such units. When making a lug on the Oka, the length must be 450 and the width 130 millimeters. The manufacturing scheme is the same as with other walk-behind tractors - everything is extremely simple. In the store, the price of such equipment is about 2500 rubles. But why spend money when you can do everything at home.

bison

The Bison is a massive, impeccable mini-tractor that handles numerous tasks on the farm. It comes with the very best suspended special equipment. The size of its wheels is 700x200 mm, the dimensions of the lug are similar. In addition, certain modifications of the bison accept 700x100 mm lugs. For this reason, it is possible to make lugs of each of these values. However, it is recommended to produce 700x100, as this is more suitable for the purpose of domestic needs. Dimensions 700x200 mm are mainly suitable for the purpose of working on virgin lands. The cost of the Zubr lugs in shopping centers ranges from 20 to 50 thousand rubles.

Cascade

Another domestic manufacturer of special equipment. Motoblocks of this company are also very famous. For this reason, it will be useful for many to find out what diameter the lug should be for such a device. Height - 460-680 mm, width - one hundred and ninety-five millimeters.

Do-it-yourself lug extensions for a walk-behind tractor

Extensions are used to increase the width of the potassium, as well as the ability to freely rotate the wheel relative to the axis. In order to make this kind of extension in a walk-behind tractor, it is necessary to screw a sleeve with a slot onto the axle. An axle is inserted into the sleeve, which is fixed with a bolt. Well, the final thing is to fix the wheel with a grouser on the axle. This mechanism is very simple and anyone who has at least something to do with technology will be able to make it. In a shopping center, such an extension cable costs from 800 to 1000 rubles.

Frequent car trips winter time can result in unpleasant consequences for drivers, as a result of which it is necessary to call a tug to help. Unpleasant weather conditions such as snow, ice and rain reduce the car's cross-country ability. Especially for snow-covered sections of the tracks, special equipment is provided, which is called snow chains. When there is an obstacle ahead in the form of a section of a snowy track, chains put on wheels will help to increase the efficiency of overcoming such a distance. Such products can be bought at any auto shop, but not every driver can afford their cost. There is only one way out - to make snow chains with your own hands.

Purpose of snow chains

The cost of high-quality snow chains starts from 5 thousand rubles. Moreover, this does not require special knowledge and experience, since if you have the instructions indicated in the material, you can make products yourself.

Anti-skid chains (lugs) are products that are put on the drive wheels, increasing the cross-country ability of the vehicle. By installing such products on wheels, the driver receives the following benefits:

  1. High performance on snow-covered roads.
  2. Overcoming climbs and descents on sections of tracks with ice with a low probability of loss of control.
  3. Improving the quality of driving in snowy and icy areas pavement.
  4. Improving the rowing properties of the car when passing through muddy sections of the road.

It is important! Snow chains are installed on the wheels only when it is necessary to overcome a difficult section of the road. It is not recommended to use them constantly, as this negatively affects the vehicle.

The negative impact is due to the following factors:

  1. Increased load on the steering mechanism, as well as transmission elements.
  2. Impossibility of fast travel.
  3. Increased tire wear.
  4. Lack of comfort.
  5. Extraneous noise.
  6. Negative impact on the suspension elements.

In addition to everything, it is forbidden to operate a car with hooks on asphalt, as this contributes to the destruction of the coating. The products in question should always be in the trunk of the car in order to be able to use them if necessary. This applies not only to cars of the crossover and SUV class, but also to light mono-drive vehicles.

Varieties and how they differ

Many drivers, having familiarized themselves with the disadvantages of lugs, take negative decision about their purchase or production. However, sooner or later there comes a situation when the presence of chains does not hurt. Grousers are divided into several varieties. The main distinguishing parameters are: the material of manufacture and the geometric pattern of the chain product on the tire.

It is interesting! The above parameters have a corresponding effect on the vehicle and its off-road performance when driving.

Depending on the material of manufacture, lugs are divided into the following types:

  1. Rigid.
  2. Soft.

Rigid lugs

Hard types include products from the following types of metals: titanium, steel, aluminum. The strength of the product depends not only on the material, but also on the thickness of the links. How larger size s links, the higher the car's cross-country ability. However, the indicators of the negative impact on the car are also higher.

On the one hand, thick chains increase the cross-country ability of the car, on the other hand, they negatively affect the suspension and steering rack.

The disadvantage of rigid products is a high noise effect, as well as accelerated tire wear. On chains of this type, it is impossible to reach speeds above 40 km / h. In addition, the massiveness and heaviness of the chains adversely affect the vehicle. Not all types of passenger cars can use rigid chains due to the small space between the wheel arches.

Soft lugs

Soft lugs are made from non-metallic materials, which are rubber, polyurethane and even plastic. To increase the strength of products, a method such as reinforcement is used. Soft lugs for cars are more forgiving, as they contribute less to rubber wear, and they are also almost silent. A car on such lugs can reach speeds of up to 80 km / h, while maintaining high-quality grip with the road surface.

Soft chains can hardly be called “chains” in the truest sense of the word, but they do the job when driving around the city just as well

Like hard chains, soft lugs have disadvantages that are clearly manifested when moving on ice. Soft chains perform well when moving around the city, without having a negative impact on the road surface. However, they are not able to ensure the effective passage of snowy areas and mud, so in such situations, only rigid chains should be used.

Varieties of lugs according to the geometric pattern

Depending on the geometry of the pattern, there are three types of snow chains:

Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, so let's look at them in detail.

"Ladder" is a base in the form of longitudinally arranged branches. These branches are evenly distributed around the entire circumference of the wheel. To fix the chain on the wheel, the appropriate type of locks are used. Outwardly, this type of lug resembles a ladder, from where the name came from.

This version of the lug is one of the most popular, effective and in demand. Of the disadvantages of this type of chain, it is worth noting:

  • parallel arrangement of chains on the wheel, so the car will dig in when overcoming snowy or soil areas;
  • low lateral stability, which is also due to the parallel arrangement of the chain branches;

Despite the high raking properties, ladder-type chains are practically useless on snow-covered ground.

Chains of this type are recommended to be used only when it is necessary to overcome a risky section of the route. This option is one of the cheapest, so when the need arises, most drivers prefer this option without delving into its features.

The rhombus design of the lugs is a modernized design of the Ladder. For this, there are longitudinal branches that form a diamond pattern, excluding all negative factors, which are characteristic of the "Ladder".

The geometric shape in the form of a rhombus is intended for the use of lugs when it is necessary to overcome a snowy or swampy area. The diamond shape is shown in the photo below.

Rhomboid chains have increased strength and high performance clutch

The diamond-shaped form of snow chains is popular among SUVs and crossovers, since this type of pattern on the lugs increases the passable qualities of the car several times. This is especially true for snowy and icy road sections.

An analogue of a rhombus are “honeycombs”, which have transverse branches similar to a rhombus, however, they are additionally connected by straight connectors. Rhombus and honeycombs are improved types of lugs, when using which the contact of products with the road surface occurs constantly. This is a big plus for both rubber and transmission, so when making lugs, it is recommended to pay attention to the last two models.

"Honeycombs" provide constant contact with the road, therefore giving the car a high level of lateral stability

It is also worth noting that when buying snow chains, you must consider their size. Grousers manufactured in production are divided not only in size for wheels, but also depending on the type of car.

Anti-skid chains and bracelets: which is better

The analogues of chains for cars are bracelets, which are a pair of segments of chains fixed on wheels with belts. The chain is located on top of the bar, and the belt is located in the hole between the disc. At the same time, the bracelet, unlike the chain, is firmly tightened on the tire, which allows the chain to be located in one place.

To increase efficiency, it is recommended to attach at least three anti-skid bracelets to one wheel

Usually three bracelets are installed on one wheel, which is enough to reach a hard surface, while creating friction and repulsion of the car. Unlike chains, bracelets have the following advantages:

  1. Speed ​​and ease of installation. If chains are recommended to be installed only before overcoming a snowy or swampy area, then the bracelet can be installed even when the car is stuck.
  2. Compact, as they do not take up much space in the trunk, unlike chains.
  3. No need to jack up the wheel.
  4. Versatility. If the chains are designed for a certain wheel diameter, then the bracelets are suitable for any wheel size.
  5. Unlike chains, bracelets are several times cheaper.
  6. Long service life.

Like chains, bracelets are divided into hard and soft. Some of the cheapest bracelet options are plastic products. They are suitable for any type of car: from small cars to SUVs, so every driver can afford them.

Bracelets, like chains, are divided into hard and soft

What is the difference between chains and bracelets? Numerous observations of drivers show that the chains have a better grip on the road surface, which has a positive effect on the patency parameters. Chains can be used to overcome snowy and icy areas until they end. Bracelets can only be used for short-term use up to 5-10 km.

It is important! If one link breaks on the chain, then this poses a threat to the car body. Possible damage paintwork, which ultimately contributes to the formation of a corrosion zone.

When it is known what chains and bracelets are, we can conclude:

  1. If you plan a long road through swampy, snowy and icy terrain, then it is recommended to use chains.
  2. Bracelets are used only when rare trips are planned around the city or outside it in bad weather. Even if during the trip you forget to wear a bracelet, you can do it at any time, even if the car gets stuck.

Making snow chains: sequence of actions

Many motorists value their work, so they resort to solving the problem with the lack of lugs on their own.

Necessary tools and equipment

Before performing the corresponding work, you must first make sure that the appropriate materials and tools are available. You can watch the process of making snow chains on the video, but the disadvantage of the videos is the lack of information about the necessary equipment.

To make a simple Ladder chain, you will need the following materials:

  1. Steel chain. The thickness of the reinforcement must be at least 5 mm.
  2. Carabiners with a clutch and a thread. Products with latches are not suitable for the manufacture of a lug.
  3. Chain tensioner.
  4. Bolts, nuts and washers.
  5. Hooks.

For the manufacture of snow chains, carabiners with a clutch and a thread are required

The main material is a chain, the length of which for two medium wheels with a diameter of R15 must be at least 15 meters. Buying a chain separately and making a lug out of it yourself is much cheaper than buying a finished product.

To make lugs, you will also need a set of tools:

  • Vise;
  • Bulgarian with a circle for metal;
  • Roulette;
  • A hammer;
  • Wrenches for tightening bolts and nuts.

As you can see, the stock of materials and tools is insignificant, so after preparation, you can start making snow chains.

Step-by-step instruction

The manufacturing procedure involves the following steps:

  1. Tire circumference measurement. This is necessary in order to make two rings from a chain of the appropriate diameter. Here alone important point: The length should be such that the chain lies on half the width of the bar, as shown in the photo below.

    To determine the length of the chain, it is necessary to close the chain on the imaginary middle of the wheel

  2. The required chain length is cut off, after which the chain segment is connected using threaded carabiners. The second segment of the chain is prepared of the same length.
  3. Manufacturing of cross links. Using a tape measure, a measurement is taken, after which a decision is made on the required number of links. How more quantity such links, the better the patency, but even this will require a longer chain length. The number of links is also determined depending on the size of the wheel. Their optimal number is 8 pieces.

    To determine the width of the transverse links, it is necessary to take a measurement with a tape measure

  4. All links must be the same size. At both ends of the links you need to fix a carabiner. Bolts, nuts and washers can be used instead of carabiners.

    In the absence of carabiners, the links can be fixed with bolts, nuts and washers

  5. The length of the links should be such that the chain on the wheel is well tensioned. If the length is longer, then they can fly off.
  6. When required amount links will be ready, you can start assembling. The assembly must be done so that each link is located at the same distance from the previous one.

    For efficient use of chains, the distance between adjacent links should be approximately the same.

  7. When the product is assembled, you can try it on the wheel. To put snow chains on the wheel, you will need metal springs or rubber. The springs can be terminated with hooks to facilitate installation of the product.

    To simplify the installation of chains, rubber bands with hooks at the ends are used.

  8. Instead of springs and rubber, other elastic materials can be used as tensioners. The main condition is that the products must securely fix the snow chain on the wheel. The result is a product of the following form:

With proper observance of the instructions, the following circuit design should be obtained

Such homemade device does not take up much space in the trunk, and it will take no more than 2 hours to make it. By analogy, a chain is made for the second wheel. For all-wheel drive SUVs, chains must be worn on all wheels. On mono-drive vehicles, the chains are located exclusively on the drive wheels.

Features of installation on a car

Making chains is only half the battle. Now you need to properly install them on the car. There are several ways to do this. The first of these involves jacking up the car. To do this, the driver must perform the following manipulations:

  1. Before an obstacle, you must stop on a hard surface, then set the car at first speed and squeeze the handbrake;
  2. Using a jack, you need to hang out the part of the car on which you plan to install the chain;
  3. As soon as the wheel is hung out, you should proceed with the installation of the lug;
  4. This process usually takes about 10-15 minutes for one wheel. In this case, you need to make sure that the chain is securely fastened.

The product is installed in the same way on the second side and, if necessary, for all four wheels. The second option involves installing a chain without raising the wheels:

  1. You need to stop, and then place chains on both sides in front of the wheels.
  2. Run on the chains to the middle of their size.
  3. Fasten the product from the inside with a hook or carabiner.
  4. Straighten each link, then connect the tension adjuster.

In the absence of a jack, it is possible to run into chains lying on the ground

This option seems simple, but in reality it is not. After installing the chain on the wheel, you need to drive a few meters, and then adjust the tension. Then you can storm the obstacles.

Snow chain test

The manufactured device must be tested in operation to ensure its reliability and effectiveness. It is worth remembering that the effectiveness of the product depends not only on the number of links available, but also on the size of the chain used. The larger the chain size, the higher the quality of the car's patency.

To test the snow chain, it is enough to wait for bad weather, and then rush to an area where there is no traffic. After installing the chain on the drive wheels, it is necessary to overcome various obstacles in the form snow slides, icy sections of the road surface, as well as swamps. After overcoming each obstacle, it is necessary to check the features of the location of the product on wheels.

It is important! During testing, damage to chain links may occur, so be sure to check their condition regularly.

If after testing the results are pleasing to the eye, then you can try to overcome obstacles without chains on wheels. The result is sure to amaze, and snow chains will become an indispensable attribute in the trunk of your car.

As a conclusion, it should be noted that snow chains are not installed at all in order for the car to stand out on the road. Except superior qualities cross-country ability, chains ensure the safety of the driver and passengers on the road in case of negative weather conditions. With the presence of such devices on the wheels of a car, you have a chance to overcome an obstacle or escape from a snow drift.

Car snow chains are something like a replaceable tread that makes it possible to turn an ordinary road tire into an ice or off-road tire. Structurally, this anti-skid chain consists of two longitudinal chains or cables - external and internal, passing around the circumference of the wheel, which are connected by transverse chains or rubber "lugs", which significantly increase the grip properties of the wheels (and, accordingly, the car's patency) on ice, loose snow, deep mud, etc. In practice it might look like this. You go fishing - you drive 100 km along asphalt pavement on ordinary tires, and then turn onto a country road, where the very “hard off-road” begins. Then snow chains are put on - and you can go further, having much less chance of skidding or getting stuck in the mud. And such places as, for example, icy steep slopes, are very difficult to overcome without snow chains, even on studded tires.

Riding with chains. Types of snow chains.

Snow chains are divided into two classes: "hard" and "soft". The former use the chain itself as cross members, while the latter use reinforced rubber “lugs”.

There are two basic types pattern: “ladder” and “rhombus / honeycomb”. In the first, the longitudinal chains / cables are connected with straight transverse pieces, in the manner of a rope ladder. In the "rhombus" they are connected obliquely, getting a "spider" pattern. Snow chains differ in the size and shape of the links (or lugs). Snow chains are made of various materials such as steel, titanium (very expensive), aluminum and reinforced plastic. Sometimes chains are additionally reinforced with metal spikes.

It is definitely impossible to say which snow chains, or which pattern is better. Since it all depends on the conditions where they are used. So, “hard” chains are better suited for off-road than “soft” chains, but they do not allow you to move at speeds over 50 km / h. "Soft" ones make it possible to move at speeds up to 80 km / h and wear out rubber much less than "hard" ones. Therefore, for those who left the highway and went to knead deep impassability, better fit"hard" option. For those who drive where there are constantly alternating sections of flat roads and muddy snow, “soft” chains are more suitable.

The same can be said about the size of chain links. The larger the link, the higher the off-road performance, but more weight, worse driving on a flat road and more tire wear.

Riding with chains. What cars can chains be put on.

As for car brands, almost any car can be equipped with snow chains. In addition to some sports, purely track cars. If we talk about tires, then here it must be said that “hard” chains are not suitable for low profile tires. But "soft" can be used.

Snow chains also differ by vehicle class, for passenger cars, SUVs and trucks. But here the wheel size plays a role, first of all: the chain covers from two to four standard sizes along the radius. In addition, for SUVs and trucks, chains are made with large links, often with additional spikes.

It is not necessary to install snow chains on all wheels of the car - you can only put them on the drive axle. This is useful when driving on not very off-road, when used from time to time, as well as to overcome problem areas of a country road.

Riding with chains. How to put on chains.

In order to put snow chains on the wheels of a car, they are laid out in front of the wheels of one axle exactly along the axis of movement, so that the locks on the outer side chain come out on outside and were facing forward. The hook of the rear side chain must be on the inside. It is necessary to run the wheels on the chains so as to stop 20-30 cm from their end. After that, put most of the chain on the wheel and hook the hook from the inside. Then you need to straighten all the links on the wheel (for “soft” ones, put on the adjusting cable / chain), and then hook the lock of the outer side chain. It is necessary to “roll” the chains, after driving 10-50 m, so that the chain settles down, and then tighten the locks again.

Experienced drivers put on chains in five minutes, and for them it is no more difficult than tying their shoelaces. But for many motorists, especially beginners, putting on snow chains turns out to be the main “stumbling block”, and there are many who refuse to use them precisely because of this procedure. In any case, before using the chains, you should first practice putting them on somewhere on a dry site, then it will be easier on the road.

As for tire wear, it should be noted that all chains wear out rubber quite a lot. “Hard” more, “soft” less. Wear also depends on the frequency of use of snow chains. The rubber actively begins to “eat up” when driving “in chains” on a hard road for a long time, sharp braking and acceleration, with too little contact between the chains and the wheel.

With regard to the safety of driving a car with chains, here the danger is represented by violations of operating instructions and faulty chain locks. When riding with chains, you must not exceed the speed prescribed by the instructions for the chain. In this case, under the action of centrifugal force, the chain may come off the wheel and hit the wheel arch or break the tire. In the worst case, if the chain lock breaks, it can catch on suspension parts (for example, on the arm), which can lead to serious damage and even an accident. The condition of the links, locks and the reliability of fastening must be carefully checked before using the chains.

Anti-skid chains. Where to buy and how much do they cost?

It is quite simple to make snow chains, and therefore many metalworking enterprises make them. Of the well-known foreign brands, one can name such as RUD (Germany) and Pewag (Austria). From Russian - "Metallist" and "Red Anchor". The average price of a set of two snow chains, for passenger car$200-250, and for an SUV $250-300. Although in the automotive markets, you can easily find cheaper chains of both Chinese and our production.

Snow chains video

Circuit testing videos.

UAZ on chains in the snow.

Zhiguli with chains, video:

Chevrolet Niva in the snow on chains.

Video: putting on a chain on a car.

Experienced motorists can give thousands of examples when mud, ice or deep snow prevent the successful completion of a trip. The power of the driving wheels is powerless in similar situations- only a tug or winch. After such unpleasant moments, some owners refuse to travel in bad weather, others put . However, there is another category of drivers who prefer to independently manufacture additional equipment to increase cross-country ability.

The basic scheme is an elementary structure, which consists of a set of steel links or reinforced wire. The uniform distribution of components over the entire area of ​​the tire is the key to the successful operation of the product.


Classic do-it-yourself snow chains on video look like two elements that are located longitudinally along the radius of the wheel from the outer and inner sides. Between themselves, they are connected by transverse parts, the so-called lugs. The manufacturing technique is not difficult even for novice motorists. The layout of parts is carried out according to three schemes:

  1. Diamonds.
  2. Ladder.
  3. Honeycombs.

Each of these types has its own advantages and disadvantages. The first option with a ladder financial concepts, as well as the most accessible in terms of labor costs. No less interesting is the solution with bracelets, which are also convenient when mounted on a wheel.

What do you need to make homemade car snow chains on wheels?

The inability to purchase factory devices that increase cross-country ability, as well as their high price, push motorists to solve the problem on their own. It should be noted that this is quite a reasonable choice - the necessary components can be found in any hardware store, and minimum set Every self-respecting driver has a tool.

It should be noted that not always information about how to make snow chains with your own hands and video, include a list of construction elements. Let's dwell on the simplest model, made according to the "ladder" scheme. To implement it, you will need:

  • chain with a cross section of at least 5 mm made of steel;
  • carabiners with a threaded clutch;
  • tension mechanism;
  • washers, bolts and nuts;
  • hooks, carabiners.

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In winter, I constantly ride on studded tires. (Many years) And I have no regrets!

Each owner of a walk-behind tractor is trying to do everything possible to ensure that his tool is as functional as possible. You can make do-it-yourself lugs for a walk-behind tractor from car rims or buy them in a specialized store.

Drawings of how to make do-it-yourself lugs for a walk-behind tractor

Grouser refers to attachments and is widely used in agriculture. It is necessary to take into account the design of the lug, since they are made universal, and some are also made for individual models of walk-behind tractors. Any owner of a walk-behind tractor can make his own lugs from car disks he does not need. Naturally, this lesson will take time, but you can save some money.

Drawings and diagrams of lugs for a walk-behind tractor


Do-it-yourself grouser drawing

Do-it-yourself attachments for a walk-behind tractor from car rims

Before you start working on the manufacture of a lug, you need to acquire drawings, the orientation of which will be directed to the work process. The simplest and most common manufacturing method is the use of car rims for it.


Drawing how to make a grouser

Step-by-step instructions for making lugs from discs:

Step 1. By using welding machine a metal strip is attached to the disks, which will later serve as a fastener for the lugs plates.


Photo of lugs from disks

Step 2 Making teeth based on steel plates. The thickness of the plate must be large enough if attachments designed to work with the ground. The length of the teeth must be selected, starting from the model of the walk-behind tractor.

Photo how to make attachments from car tires

Step 3 The teeth are attached in a circle, the distance between them should be 16 cm, tolerance in different directions should not exceed two centimeters.


Photo of lugs on wheels

When putting into operation your lugs, it is worth remembering about its direct purpose, that is, its contact exclusively with the ground. It is strictly forbidden to operate the equipment on hard surfaces such as stone or asphalt.

Photo of a grouser from a sheet of metal

Do-it-yourself lugs for a walk-behind tractor from car rims even a novice farmer or gardener can do it. Find detailed drawings and try to make attachments from improvised materials yourself. Quality equipment is the first step to successful farming from scratch.

On the prospects of removable lugs to increase the traction ability of the wheel.

Each design has its own scope of applicability, therefore, in order, as usual, not to compare cucumbers with tomatoes, one must start with the terms of reference and, as usual, theses)

For the bulk of off-road car lovers, this very cross-country ability is required extremely rarely and locally.

A typical route of the so-called automobile expeditions is a tedious rumble of X thousand kilometers along federal highways to the most picturesque swamp, into which one then dives for the purpose of pushing, slipping, tugging on strings, and drinking special drinks designed to relieve the pain of losing paintwork and more important building blocks.
When you have to push too hard, and the risk of not being able to get to work becomes more and more tangible, the owner of the mobile still begins to think about increasing cross-country ability.
(of course, in order to go 50 meters deeper)
What kind of handouts do you need, where to weld something, where to saw off and how best to cut the bogger, etc. wisdom is not for me to tell you.
You all know better than me.

The whole point here is that with an increase in cross-country ability, it becomes less and less desirable to drive this on asphalt, and more and more to come up with excuses why it is more useful to go to a bar today.
And you have to use too many special drinks at the sight of what a bent steering rod did with a new bogger for X thousand kilometers ...

In general, we again come to the conclusion that there is no happiness, as well as universality.

An idea that many people come up with when trying to solve an optimization problem is a replaceable mover.
Well, for example, two sets of wheels.
And immediately dismissed. because they are big, heavy and have nowhere to put them.
Approximately all sorts of tracked carts - mattraks rest against this.

In the photo, autotourists are transporting a replaceable wheeled mover across the country in order to eventually replace it with a caterpillar one.

Let's think about whether the wheel itself can change its properties.
And for this it is worth asking the question - which ones are needed.

1. Supporting ability.
It's really sad here.
For in order to really at least somehow increase the support, it is necessary to increase the wheel.
Which immediately entails a radical alteration of the car with a courageous sawing of precious body parts.
The weight of the wheel is going up, the price is going up, the ride comfort is getting worse and worse, and the patch area doesn't want to increase in proportion to the suffering.
Of course there is some effect, the car sinks 5 meters further than before.

In general, whatever one may say, we will be able to increase the cross-country ability in only one way - to throw out the extra junk from the trunk along with the upholstery and your favorite teddy bear, as well as to reduce the amount of special fluids at least by half.

There is, in fact, another not obvious, but extremely simple idea- fasten a sheet of aluminum from below.
I wrote about it in detail, so I won't repeat it.

But here lies one big but, because of which many do not believe in this way of increasing the supporting abilities. .
This is where all the myths about "sticking" come from.
We lay down on the bath, we don’t seem to drown, but we can’t crawl, not enough traction!
(This is especially noticeable without blocking on the axles.
Slightly hung, one wheel unloaded and FSE. we are stalling.)

Those who have ridden tracked all-terrain vehicles are familiar with the process.

As you can see, gas71 travels almost all the time with an emphasis on the bath. Well, otherwise, where would the consumption of a liter per kilometer =)

Having made this observation, we will smoothly move on to the second point.

2. Traction ability.
Traction capability along with geometry is extremely relevant, especially when considering typical conditions for the movement of off-road vehicles.
In fact, for obvious reasons, few people try to climb into the swamp, and their main habitat is a variety of dirt roads, where the main obstacle is muddy upper layer with low frictional properties and a track from the Urals with firewood.

And then suddenly it suddenly turns out that we don’t need super-low gear, most of which can be slipped if there is enough traction.
And we get stuck at 70% because the traction capacity of a wheel immersed in slurry. well, you understand)
And the place where 0.05 will help a lot is 1 km out of X thousand. which you can either go around, or throw bushes, or pull through with a winch in sled mode.

(I repeat, I take typical routes for a similar technique such as the notorious Complete Chukhloma)

Thinking in this vein, the average jeeper changes his favorite bfg at for simex, trying to invariably grab onto a special liquid after learning that after 5 thousand km he will have to make a flower bed, eventually driving 300 km at the most in those conditions for which everything is started.

I see I'm already tired.

Actually - how easy, cheap and quickly to increase the traction properties of the wheel at times.
To begin with, the question is - what geometry of the lugs provides maximum engagement with poorly connected soils?
It is not worth going far into literature, because the transverse blades, like those of a paddle steamer, should immediately appear in the mind.
Someone will definitely remember the buggy driving into almost vertical slides on the sand or Sherpa A. Garagashyan.
The narrow blade creates point load, sinks and tries to move the layer. with an almost complete analogy of the gear-toothed rack.

Very concise.


Most importantly, such lugs will not prevent the wheel from deforming and forming an elongated spot.

A small sketch on the model, as I see it.

Tire 35"x10.5"
If such a lug is made of aluminum (6 mm thick), then the weight of 18 pieces will be 4.2 kg.
Total with all sorts of ropes + 6kg to the wheel. Steel 500g and 9kg respectively
It doesn't even look terrifying... especially against the backdrop of a bogger.

There are more questions about the resource, form, and fixation, as you understand, than answers)

But this product does not need a large resource at all.
Because a typical application is
We drive 2.5 thousand km on asphalt and all sorts of primers on ordinary MT tires. we tie the lugs, poke around for the last 50 km along the track, take a photo on instagram, another 50 km, the tracks in the trunk, and calmly blow 2.6 thousand to the house, continue to shit in a warm unetas and burn in the comments.