Indice
- Introduction
- Affected Products
- Contents
-
Initial information and adjustment
- Fitting
- Dismantling
- Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Common Errors
1. Introduction
The König K-Summit Pro is the ideal and often unique solution for those vehicles in the Bus and Lorry categories that are affected by catenability limitations in the inner portion (do not have the necessary clearance behind the wheel to accommodate chains with inner elements).
The purpose of this in-depth article is to provide you with more information and assistance regarding the use of König K-Summit Pro chains.
Important: The snow chains discussed in this article are certified according to Ö-Norm V5119, thus fulfilling all legal requirements.
2. Affected products
The product covered in this in-depth study is: König K-Summit Pro.
3. Contents
- 2 snow chains configured for the smallest tyre size
- 2 steel bars with pre-mounted connecting straps
- Nylon bag with Velcro fastener with:
- Assembly instructions
- 1 T-shaped 6 mm Allen key
- 1 L-shaped 13mm tubular spanner
- 25mm L-shaped plate kit
- 32mm L-shaped plate kit
- Repair link kit
- Disposable glove kit
- Plastic mat
4. Initial Information and Adjustment
We recommend that you familiarise yourself with the product by removing it from the packaging before actual use.
K-Summit Pro snow chains can be adjusted to suit vehicle and tyre specifications. In fact it is possible, with the included kit, to configure the chain, taking into consideration
The chain only needs to be adjusted once before the first installation, or if you change tyre size or vehicle.
Let's see together what these adjustments are and how they should be carried out.
1. Tyre Size Adjustment
Every König K-Summit Pro snow chain is compatible with a wide range of tyre sizes as the chain is adjustable in length.
The chain is supplied in the smallest configuration and covers a range of tyres within a certain rolling circumference range; to fit tyres with a larger rolling circumference, the chain must be lengthened.
How to do this?
Lengthening the chain is possible thanks to the adjustment elements on the chain tread.
The adjustment element is the assembly consisting of: threaded screw, fixing nut, yellow sleeve and double spring.
1.2.
3.
Using the supplied spanners (13mm L-shaped tubular spanner and 6mm Allen key), you will have to remove the number of adjusting elements indicated on the instructions.
When you loosen the adjusting element, you will notice that it will jerk loose. This is normal because the thread of the screw is covered by threadlockers and the nut is a self-locking. This double security, which might seem excessive, is to ensure that the elements do not come loose while driving.
Let's take the example of tyre size 315/80R22.5 and the K-Summit Pro K138 chain: this size is indicated in the instructions as being compatible in the -3 configuration. This means that to fit this size you have to remove 3 adjusting elements from each chain from the standard configuration.
Removal of the adjustment element allows the chain to be lengthened. We recommend that you keep the removed adjusting elements so that you can restore the chain to the original configuration at a later date. Many customers who have bought K-Summit Pro have been able to reuse it on their next vehicle by simply readjusting the chain to the new tyre size. Should you lose them, they are available as spare parts.
You can download the most up-to-date adjustment chart at the following link: K-Summit Pro instructions.
2. Adaptation for wheel nut/bolt
König K-Summit Pro chains are attached by means of snap hooks to two L-shaped plates (included in the kit) installed symmetrically across the diameter to two wheel nuts.
Let us now see how to install the L-shaped plates.
First, unscrew two wheel nuts symmetrically across the diameter (for simplicity, we recommend working on the horizontal diameter), one on the opposite side of the rim to the other
Inside the package you will find two pairs of plates:
- L-shaped plate kit 25mm
- 32mm L-shaped plate kit
of the same length, but with different bolt hole diameter (25mm and 32mm) compatible with all truck wheel nut sizes on the market.
Once the correct L-plates have been selected, position the two L-plates in the free wheel holes.
Take care to position the two L-plates with the side sticking out parallel to the ground and mirroring each other: one L-plate with the side sticking out, parallel to the ground, indicating upwards, and one with the side sticking out, parallel to the ground, indicating downwards (see picture above).
Secure the plates by holding them in place, re-tightening the wheel nuts until the tightening torque specified by the vehicle manufacturer is reached.
3. Adaptation to the rim
The straps on K-Summit Pro chains, which connect the L-shaped plates with the steel slingbar via snap hooks, are designed to allow the chain to be adapted to the rim. In fact, they are compatible with vehicles with the hub more or less protruding from the rim.
Attention: Before using the chain measure or check the projection of the vehicle hub from the rim. The K-Summit Pro snow chain is compatible with hubs with a maximum projection of 175 mm.
Each webbing can be matched to the carabiner in three different positions.
Using them you can adjust the distance of the chain from the rim according to the size of the vehicle hub. It then remains for you to consider which of these rings or holes to use to insert the carabiner and attach to the L-plates.
We recommend that you use the shortest possible configuration depending on the hub protrusion of your vehicle, so that the steel bar of the chain is as close to the wheel as possible.
Configuration A: Long, clip the carabiner to the outermost ring/hole
Configuration B: Medium, clip the carabiner in the middle position
Configuration C: Short, clip the carabiner at the innermost position
You have now configured your chain correctly. All that remains is to carry out a test fitting to familiarise yourself with the product.
5.Mounting
Once the König K-Summit Pro snow chain has been adjusted, you can carry out a fitting test.
Fitting conditions:
When you carry out the fitting test, make sure that the ground or at least the tyre is at least in a condition similar to the condition of use. We do not recommend carrying out the fitting test on dry ground as the tyre compound and the plastic plates of the chain would create friction that would limit the positioning of the chain and could lead to the mistaken belief that the chain is too small. For this reason, we recommend you carry out the test with a wet tyre.
1.2.
3.
First, attach the steel bar by means of snap hooks to both L-shaped plates (A and B).
Hold the chain and approach the wheel.
Now take the chain and open the arms and flaps to present the chain in its final conformation.
With the König K-Summit Pro chains, if you take two consecutive chain arms, simply position one of them at 12 o'clock, first resting the grey plastic flaps and then placing the chain tread evenly on the tyre.
Once the chain is positioned on the wheel, push lightly on the ends of the arms to aid fitting. The tread of the K-Summit chains has elastic elements, which allow the chain to stretch elastically.
You may now proceed to attach and tension your chain.
Pull the crank out of the flywheel housing and, turning anti-clockwise, pull out the threaded shank with ring terminal so that the ring and hook on the rocker arm can engage.
Now hook the end ring onto the hook on the sling bar
To tension the chain, simply tighten the crank by turning it clockwise. By tightening the tensioning crank you will tension the belts and the whole assembly, bringing the central body of the chain closer to the rim.
Keep turning the crank clockwise until you reach the end of the tensioning screw, to make sure you tension your chain correctly.
Close the crank in its seat and, using the tube spanner provided, tighten the safety nut in the centre of the tensioning flywheel.
At this point the chain is attached to the wheel. You can start to ride a stretch of road at low speed in a straight line.
The lower part of the chain will find its position after travelling a few dozen metres.
After the chain tread has found its position (the small grey flaps resting on the shoulder and the chain tread is evenly placed on the tyre), please check the chain tension by lifting the chain with your fingers and checking that it remains adhered to the tyre.
If the chain does not sit correctly on the tyre after riding approx. 100m, it may be necessary to remove an additional adjustment element from the König adjustment chart. Proceed with the adjustment and repeat the test.
It is important that K-Summit chains remain adhered to the tyre in order to maintain a low dynamic profile, so we recommend that you do not remove too many adjustment elements. This would only facilitate the positioning of the chain which, once in place, will remain loose.
Don't forget: when making this type of assessment be sure to test the chain on a wet tyre.
6. Dismounting
Now let's see together how to remove your König K-Summit Pro.
First unlock the safety nut in the centre of the tensioning handwheel by turning anti-clockwise, using the supplied socket spanner.
Pull the crank out of the housing and unscrew, turning anti-clockwise, the tensioning screw, the tension on the belt will be released and the central body of the chain will also take more freedom of movement
Now release the hook on the slingbar from the tensioning ring.
Now take the two upper arms of the chain and pull them towards you. Start at the grey plastic flaps and check that the chain does not get caught in the tyre's radial drainage channels.
As you pull the chain, it will tend to come out except for the portion that is under the tyre.
Now release the steel bar via the snap hooks from both L-shaped plates (A and B).
Move the vehicle and stop again to pick up the chain.
7. Maintenance
Once the chains have been used, please wash them with lukewarm water to remove dirt and any debris or chemical agents left on the chain before finally putting them back in the packaging.
Washing the chain will also allow you to check the wear condition of the chain components and be sure that the chain will be ready for the next use.
Please allow the disassembled chains and components to dry completely, if necessary removing any residual water and moisture with a cloth.
Once dry, you can put them back in the packaging, ready for the next use.
Checking wear
Washing the chain will also allow you to check the wear status of the chain components, and be sure that the chain will be ready for its next use.
Important: If you use your chains continuously and intensively, we recommend that you check the wear of your chains periodically during the season.
When the wear level of the chain cross-section and plates reaches approximately 50%, it is not recommended to use the chain. Worn links may not withstand use.
8. Troubleshooting
1.The chain is hooked onto the wheel rim but does not climb onto the tyre
The König K-Summit Pro chain does not climb onto the tyre after travelling a few dozen metres. There can be several causes, we list the main ones below:
Test done under unsuitable conditions
If you carry out the fitting test on a dry tyre, the chain will have more difficulty climbing onto the tyre, especially if it is new or has a winter profile.
Tensioning webbing configuration too long
If you have attached the carabiner to the outermost link/hole of the webbing, in its longest configuration, which causes the central body of the chain to protrude a lot, the chain may not have sufficient potential energy to push the chain arms over the tread.
Insufficient tensioning of the tensioning wheel
If you have clipped the carabiner to the outermost loop/hole of the webbing, in its longest configuration, which causes the central body of the chain to protrude a lot, it may not have sufficient potential energy to push the chain arms over the tread.
2.The chain disengages from the wheel
The attachment of the König K-Summit Pro chain is ensured by a number of factors that must be present simultaneously, starting with the correct fit to the wheel rim (positioning of the L-shaped plates and webbing configuration) and ending with the correct sizing of the chain tread.
Disengagement of the chain from the wheel can be an event due to a number of factors which we attempt to summarise.
Incorrect chain size/not compatible with the tyre
If you install a König K-Summit Pro of the wrong size, it will under no circumstances (smaller or larger size) fit the wheel properly and will tend to be released.
Chain tread not adjusted to tyre size
If you install a König K-Summit Pro which is not adjusted to your tyre size, it will be narrow and not long enough to cover the rolling circumference of your tyre and will tend to be released.
If you install a König K-Summit Pro with too many adjustment elements removed, it will not stick to the tyre and may be subject to abnormal dynamic lift when driving.
Attachment assembly not properly installed on the rim
If the clamping assembly is not installed correctly, it will not provide a solid attachment point and the chain will lose its centring and tend to come off.
If the L-brackets have not been secured to the wheel nuts in a symmetrical position along the wheel rim diameter, the steel bar, connected via the webbing, will fail to balance under dynamic conditions.
9. Common Errors
In this session we will point out some of the assembly errors we encounter most frequently from customers.
Failure to adjust the chain
König K-Summit Pro chains in many cases need adjustment to be compatible with the tyre size and the vehicle.
If you install the König K-Summit Pro without having it adjusted beforehand, you can face various problems, ranging from not being able to fit the chain to the chain coming off the wheel.
Test run on a dry tyre
The fitting test, to check whether the adjustment is correct, must be carried out on the tyre, which must be in conditions similar to those in which it is actually used. For this reason, we advise against carrying out the fitting test on a dry tyre, as this could lead you to incorrectly assess the chain fit. In fact, the dry tyre surface tends to create more friction, which could cause the chain to require more travel to find its ideal position.
Therefore, we would ask you to make any assessment regarding chain fitment after testing on at least a wet tyre.
Chain with L-shaped plates not positioned correctly
When preparing the chain, especially when positioning the L-shaped plates, please take care that they are positioned symmetrically along the rim diameter.
In fact, the centring of the chain is ensured by the steel bar: if the steel bar does not work along the axis of the wheel diameter, the chain will find it more difficult to centre itself and could lead to a dynamic resonance that leads to vibrations and even to the chain becoming detached from the wheel.