Tire protection chains

01

Choose wear-link size, mesh and hardness

Erlau lists its JUMBO PLUS X16 mining chain with a link width of 43 mm, link height of 60 mm, a ring diameter of 16 mm and a mesh opening of 67 mm, for tyre sizes from 20.5-25 to 40/65-39. [1] At the large end, Erlau describes a 26 mm chain, which it calls the only one on the market, for equipment with 57-inch tyres working in very abrasive conditions; it says the link shape was designed to raise wear volume and extend chain life. [2]

pewag's tycoon wear link, which it says was developed for the largest wheel loaders and for highly abrasive hard rock, is listed for rock with a Mohs hardness of 7–10, in sizes 14, 16, 20, 23 and Ultimate, with square (tyre protection) or hexa (protection and grip) mesh. Its Dimension 14 link measures 76 × 26 × 46 mm (L × W × H) with ring measurements of d 14 mm and D 50 mm; Dimension 23 measures 112 × 60 × 76 mm with ring measurements of d 23 mm and D 72 mm. [3]

On hardness, US patent 4,106,542 for tyre protective chains proposes wear links with a surface hardness of 46 to 60 Rockwell C and connectors with a core hardness of 15 to 40 Rockwell C, preferring 48 to 54 for links and 25 to 34 for connectors. In its worked example, EN 45 steel links are tempered to 52–54 HRC and EN 8 connectors to a core of 25–34 HRC, and the manganese content work-hardens both by about 5–10% in use; links held at 48–52 HRC are said to reach 53–58 HRC in service. [5]

Editorial calculation: a 5–10% rise on the example links' 52–54 HRC gives about 52 × 1.05 ≈ 54.6 to 54 × 1.10 ≈ 59.4 HRC, close to the 53–58 HRC in-service range the patent reports. Ask suppliers for link and ring hardness as delivered, the steel grade and the heat treatment, because a harder link resists wear but the softer connector core is what the patent relies on for toughness. [5]

Give the supplier the machine model, tyre size and ply or tread type, the rock or material handled (with Mohs hardness if known), surface or underground duty, any hot slag, hours per shift, the mesh pattern wanted (protection or traction), link and ring size, required hardness, and the number of chains.

02

Fit the tyre, check clearance and plan tensioning

A chain must match both the tyre size range of the chain model and the space around the wheel. pewag lists the clearance required around the tyre for each tycoon size: 80, 60 and 80 mm (M, F, R) for Dimension 14 and 120, 80 and 110 mm for Dimension 23. [3] Erlau's POLYFLEX design, cast diamond-shaped parts joined by forged links that can carry wear, traction or rubber inserts, is offered for tyre sizes from 20.5-25 to 35/65-33. [2]

Erlau explains that a fitted chain is closed with a set of special rings that stitch the two ends together; closing them with pins and hammers risks flying fragments, and corroded pins can force flame-cutting next to the tyre. Its EASY-R-LOCK connecting ring is an open ring with a locking hasp, secured by a 90-degree turn of an integral lock using an Allen key. For tensioning, Erlau describes a suspension link with a patented locking device that clamps the tensioning chain as soon as it is pulled in. [2]

pewag's accessories for tyre protection chains include No. 24 end shackles, No. 31 connecting and repair rings, locking plates, pin locks, lever hoists, assembly pliers, drawing-out hooks, mounting spikes, No. 60 tension aids in 10, 13 and 16 mm sizes, and Allen keys. It advises replacing damaged, heavily worn, deformed, cracked or missing components when found at inspection, because a worn connector or locking part can affect chain fit, tension and service life, and asks for chain type, tyre size, mesh variant, product number and photos to match a spare part. [4]

Editorial note: chain weight, fitting time and warranty were not stated in the sources reviewed; ask for the weight of each chain, the fitting procedure and tools, and the re-tensioning interval in writing.

03

Compare what suppliers offer

The companies in the manufacturer list below show this product on their own websites. Confirm the legal seller, factory and scope for your order.

When requesting quotations, ask each supplier for link and ring dimensions, mesh pattern, hardness and steel grade, the tyre-size range and clearance drawing, connecting and tensioning parts supplied, chain weight, and the spare-part and repair-link range.

04

Trace the chain and its tensioning parts

This is a functional reference built from the sources cited; it is not one maker's design.

05

Fill the specification fields with values for your machine

A tyre protection chain quotation needs values for your machine. The table explains each field, gives published values where a reviewed source states them, and says what to obtain from the supplier.

06

Send the machine, tyre and ground conditions together

Paste it into your enquiry below or into an email to a maker, then replace every bracket.

Machine: [model; surface or underground]
Tyre: [size; tread type]
Material: [rock type; Mohs hardness; hot slag]
Chain: [link size; mesh pattern; hardness]
Fit: [wheel clearance; tensioning parts; closing rings]
Quantity: [chains; spare rings and links]

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