Index
- Introduction
- Affected Products
- Contents
- Assembly
- Dismantling
- Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Common Errors
1. Introduction
The König Coach Master is the snow chain dedicated to buses and offers an easier and more comfortable fitting system than the classic chains used by trucks.
This in-depth article aims to provide you with more information and assistance regarding the use of König Coach Master chains.
The snow chain we will discuss in this article is certified according to Ö-Norm V5119, thus fulfilling all legal requirements.
2. Product
The product covered in this in-depth study is: König Coach Master.
3. Contents
- 1 pair of chains
- 1 instruction booklet
- 1 set of repair links
4. Mounting
First, remove the chain from the packaging and place it on the wheel, first ensuring that no knots are present. If you find them, untie them so that the chain presents itself in an orderly manner.
When you have to fit your König Coach Master chains, make sure that the fastener is unlocked. Just check that the tensioning chain runs freely in the widest hole and that it is not stuck in the narrowest hole of the fastener.
Check before assembly that the device is unlocked.
Hold the two ends of the rigid arch (B and C) and open the rigid arch as far as possible, until it reaches its maximum width.
Once the two ends are spread apart, take the chain and place it on the wheel proceeding from top to bottom, positioning the top of the arch (A) inside the wheel.
Now place the ends of the rigid arch (B and C) on the inside shoulder of the wheel.
Caution: the two ends (B and C) must be positioned on the inside shoulder and not on the tyre tread.
Now continue with the vehicle by making ¼ turn of the wheel. This will release the tensioning chain from under the wheel.
You can now proceed to tension the chain.
Now pull the tensioning chain towards the outside of the wheel, ensuring that it slides freely into the forged deflection hook on the tread end portion of the chain. This will bring the two ends of the rigid arc inside the wheel closer together.
Now fasten the tensioning chain in the fastener. To lock it, simply secure the most comfortable link by sliding it into the smallest hole.
Once you have reached the desired tension, lock the tensioning chain into the fastener, ensuring that one of the links sits firmly on the inner slot.
We do not recommend over-tensioning the chain at this stage: in fact, the chain should not be too tight during the first few metres of driving, so that it is evenly distributed across the tyre.
A.
Now take hold of the end of the tensioning chain and pass it through the tensioning rings, starting with the double one (image A) and going all the way around.
A.
B.
After completing the turn inside the tensioning rings, pass the spring-loaded end of the chain under the side chain (A) and secure it with the end snap hook to one of the side chain links (B).
.
The chain is fitted but needs to be re-tensioned.
Move the vehicle along a short distance at low speed and stop to retract the chains.
A.
Unhook the end carabiner from the side chain.
A.
Unlock the fastener by releasing the tensioning chain (A) from the fastener.
Now pull energetically on the chain to tension it further.
B.
Keeping the chain under tension, hook it back onto the fastener (B) by sliding the closest link into the smallest hole.
A.
B.
Now tension the chain by passing the elastic end (A) under the side chain and fasten it with the end snap hook to one of the links of the side chain (B).
You are finished.
Now the two chains are fitted and tensioned, you are ready to go..
5. Dismounting
Removing your König Coach Master snow chain takes just a few simple steps:
A.
Unhook the end snap hook of the tensioning chain from the side chain (A) and pull the whole chain off the tensioning rings.
B.
Unlock the tensioning chain from the fastener (B) and release the tension by sliding the tensioning chain into the tensioning chain slot. The tensioning chain must be loosened as much as possible to ensure maximum freedom of movement during disassembly.
Grasp one end of the rigid arch and pull it towards the outer side of the wheel. This drops the chain to the ground, freeing the wheel.
You are now finished, the chain is completely disassembled: to free it, move the vehicle just enough.
6.Maintenance
Cleaning and storage
Once the chains have been used, please wash them with lukewarm water before storing them permanently in the packaging, to remove dirt and any debris or chemical agents left on the chain. In case of persistent dirt you can use a brush with semi-rigid bristles.
Please allow them to dry completely, if necessary removing any residual water and moisture present with a cloth.
Once dry, the chains can be placed 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 the 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 cross section of the chain link wire reaches about 50 per cent, it is not recommended to use the chain. Worn links may not withstand the weight of the vehicle and driving stresses and break.
7. Troubleshooting
Chain/wheel compatibility problems: Chain that looks too big
If your König Coach Master is too big, you will tend to have a very generous fit, which will make installation very easy.
You can easily position the arch behind the wheel and manually position the chain, but once installed, the chain will not tension properly. You can tell this from the tensioning chain that comes almost completely to the end of its travel towards the fastener, and from the fact that most rhomboid assemblies remain very loose even when the chain is fully tensioned.
If you use the chain under these conditions, it could have an abnormal dynamic lift, which could create interference with wheel arch components or even slip off the tyre.
Some of the causes that can cause the chain to be large are:
The physical dimensions/development of the tyre do not correspond to the theoretical ones
i.e. your tyre in terms of snow chain compatibility is considered ‘non-standard’ or more technically oversized. This means that your tyre has a smaller development than the standard and requires a smaller chain.
Your tyre will therefore require a smaller sized König Coach Master chain, which therefore covers a smaller tyre range.
In this case we invite you to get in touch with one of our Product Specialists who will assist you in determining the correct size for your tyre. You can write to us at: Customer Service.
Chain/Wheel Compatibility Problems: Chain that looks too small
A König Coach Master that is too narrow has a negative effect on the installation process: at best it makes it difficult, but could make it impossible. It all depends on how small the chain is in relation to the tyre.
A small König Coach Master makes it difficult, if not impossible, to fit on the tyre and if fitted, the chain is too tight on the wheel and the side elements that should normally be positioned on the tyre shoulder end up being on the tread.
In such cases, the first thing to do is to dismantle the chain and check that no knots are present and that the components are free to move.
Some of the causes that can lead to the chain being small are:
Remanufactured tyres
It is common to use tyres with retreaded treads. Please note that depending on the characteristics of the tread that is applied to the casing of the worn tyre, the overall development of the wheel will in most cases not be the same as that of the original tyre: the tyre will have a larger development. This dimensional difference can influence the fitment of the chain on the wheel, making it difficult or even impossible.
Make and model of tyre
Some tyres of certain makes and models (e.g. Michelin XD in size 295/80R22.5) have a smaller dimensional development than all other makes and models (of size 295/80R22.5) included in the König standard size (size 9130), such that a smaller chain size (size 9120) than the standard is required.
In this case we invite you to get in touch with one of our Product Specialists who will assist you in determining the correct size for your wheel. You can write to us at: Customer Service.
9. Common Errors
In this session we point out the assembly errors we find most frequently from customers.
Chain that looks too big
It is common for users to have the doubt that the chain is too big for their wheel when they find themselves threading the tensioning chain through the tensioning rings and the chain assemblies on the tread remain very soft on the tyre even after tensioning the chain with the chain puller.
Now let's see how we can best fit the chain to your wheel.
Drive your vehicle at very low speed for a few metres so that the rear rigid arch and the chain have a chance to position and balance correctly on the tyre.
Stop, unhook the spring-loaded end, pull the tensioning chain vigorously and engage the end carabiner, inserting it into the nearest link of the side chain.
You are finished. Now the two chains are fitted and tensioned, you are ready to go.
If even after re-tensioning your chain is still large and it is not possible to tension it further, it may be that your wheel has a different size than the standard König snow chain fit.
In this case we invite you to get in touch with one of our Product Specialists who will assist you in determining the correct size for your wheel. You can write to us at: Customer Service.
Chain that looks too small/tight
It is easy to determine when a flexible cable chain appears to be too narrow:
- If it is impossible or difficult to attach the various elements
- If it is fitted, the chain feels too tight on the wheel: the side elements that should normally be positioned on the tyre shoulder end up on the tread;
The first thing to do is to remove the chain and check that there are no knots and that the components are free to move.
Once this check has been made, proceed with assembly again.
If even after adjustment your chain is still small and it is not possible to fit it properly, it may be that your wheel has a different size than the standard fit of the König snow chain.
In this case we invite you to get in touch with one of our Product Specialists who will assist you in determining the correct size for your wheel. You can write to us at: Customer Service.