Index
- Introduction
- Products Affected
- Contents
- Initial Information and Preparation
- Assembly
- Dismantling
- Fitting the Professional chains to the tyres
- Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Common Errors
1. Introduction
The König Supertractor is the snow chain for agricultural tractors that need safety when driving on snow-covered and icy roads during the winter, or in muddy conditions.
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 the König Supertractor snow chain.
3. Content
- 1 or ½ pair of chains per bag (depending on chain weight and size)
- 1 nylon bag including
- 1 instruction booklet + 1 steel cable for assembly
- 1 set of repair links
4. Initial Information and Preparation
König Supertractor snow chains are made of 100% steel to maximise strength and reliability.
The tread is made of K-Premium Steel, the latest generation steel selected by König as the main raw material for professional snow chains. Thanks to the reassurance of K-Premium Steel and specific in-house treatment, the finished product includes all the specifications necessary for superior strength and durability.
But that's not all. König Supertractor snow chains are produced with different thread diameters (thinner links for lighter applications or space constraints / thicker links for more severe conditions), which means they can better suit tyres with different tread types (all) (road, MPT, agricultural...etc).
The threads available for the various models in the category are: 7.00 mm, 8.00 mm, 10.00 mm, each specific to the selected chain/application size.
König Professional snow chains in the truck category are not only intended for use on snow-covered and icy terrain, but also offer superior performance in slushy conditions, where the coefficient of adhesion is very similar to that of a snow-covered or icy surface.
Important: The König Supertractor is not recommended for intensive road cleaning activities.
5. Mounting
Here are two techniques for the initial assembly phase:
First, remove the chain from the packaging and lay it in front of the wheel of your vehicle, making sure that it has no knots. If you find them, untie them so that the chain presents itself in an orderly manner.
Quick mounting - Without rope |
Mounting the chain with rope |
|
Position the chain in such a way that the inner side chain is pointing towards the inside of the wheel and that the tension lever, spring terminal and chain puller are positioned towards the outer side of the wheel. |
Position the chain so that the inner side chain is towards the inside of the wheel and the tension lever, spring terminal and chain puller are positioned towards the outer side of the wheel. |
|
Now lift the chain by grabbing it from the inner side chain and push the latter behind the wheel. |
Once the mounting rope is attached, proceed slowly with the vehicle by one wheel revolution so that the chain is evenly spread over it.
|
Now it is time to attach the chain.
To make this operation easier, we recommend that you position the chain so that both ends have play and are free of the tyre. This will make it easier for you when attaching the chain.
Once the chain is evenly positioned on the tyre, you can attach the chain in the following order:
- Connect the inner part of the chain, connecting the locking hook to the link or ring (varies according to chain model).
- Connect the central part of the chain, connecting the central clasp to the link or ring (varies depending on the chain model).
- Now connect the outer part of the chain, connecting the clasp to the link or ring (varies according to chain model).
Attention: once the chain has been hooked on, check that the rhomboid groups do not have knots, and that the links are not twisted on themselves. If you find either of these conditions, unhook the ends and position the chain correctly before hooking it up again.
You may now proceed to tension the chain,
Pull by sliding the outer tensioning chain inside the side chain puller rings and once the desired tension is reached, insert the tensioning lever into the nearest link, apply tension to the lever and secure its end in the tensioning ring.
Wrap the excess tensioning chain around the side chain puller so that it does not come into contact with the rim while driving, and attach the end hook to one of the side chain links or the side chain puller.
At this stage we recommend that you do not overtighten the chain: it should not be too tight during the first few metres of driving, so that it is evenly distributed over the tyre tread. Bear in mind that at this stage of fitting, some of the chain units are locked under the wheel; therefore, the chain is not yet correctly positioned on the tyre.
Now proceed with the vehicle and drive a short distance at low speed and prepare to stop to retract the chains.
Unhook the spring terminal, unwind the excess tensioning chain part, release the lever and release the tensioning chain.
Now pull the tensioning chain vigorously and engage the lever, inserting it into the nearest link and hooking the tensioning lever into the tensioning ring.
Wrap the redundant part of the tensioning chain around the side chain puller itself, so that it does not come into contact with the rim when the vehicle is in motion, by attaching the spring-loaded end hook to one of the closest links on the side chain or tensioning chain.
You are done. Now the two chains are fitted and tensioned, you are ready to go.
6. Dismounting
König Super Tractor snow chains are dismantled in a few simple steps.
Unhook the spring-loaded end hook from the chain and unhook the excess links from the tensioning chain.
Unhook the tensioning lever and pull it away from the link, using your hands to move and soften the chain on the tyre by pulling it towards you.
Starting from the outer side, disconnect the hook from the link or ring, the middle one and finally repeat the same procedure on the inner side.
Pull the upper part of the chain off the wheel by placing it on the ground.
You are now finished, the chain is completely disassembled: to free it, move the vehicle just enough.
7. Fitting the Professional chains to the tyres
It is recommended to carry out the fitting test to check that the chain fits correctly on the tyre before its actual use.
Experienced Professional chain users in Italy always recommend fitting the chain ‘with the belly’. The belly defines that free space between the chain and the tyre that indicates a correct tensioning procedure.
Leaving the chain ‘belly’ brings two main advantages:
- Performance: the belly causes the chain to drop to the ground before the tyre touches the ground, significantly increasing the contact surface area, providing more links in contact with the ground;
- Durability: the belly guarantees a certain independence of movement between wheel and chain, ensuring that the links can move and that it is not just a few links that work in contact with the ground.
8. 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 approx. 30 per cent of the cross section of the chain wire is worn on one side, it is recommended to turn the chains, in this way the chain will work on the wire of the opposite side of the link and/or wear bar, doubling its service life.
This is why it is important after driving some kilometres and after checking the wear condition of the tread links to reverse the snow chains on the wheels.
The chain mounted on the driver's side wheel (A) must be mounted on the passenger's side wheel (B) and vice versa, by rotating the chain along the longitudinal axis as in the picture.
9. Troubleshooting
Tangled chain
When the chain is fitted with knots or with some components that are tangled or interlocked, the chain will tend to be short. In fact, you will find it difficult to engage the various components.
Please remove the chain from the wheel and free any knots or components that have become entangled with each other.
If there are any knots, please focus on their position and free them before refitting the chain. Once installed, further check that there are no knots or chain links subject to abnormal twisting. Should you find any, disassemble the chain and fix them before reassembling the chain.
Caution: the knotted or tangled part of the chain makes assembly more difficult, but not only that: it also influences the static dimensions of the chain on the tyre, increasing its thickness. This means that, when the vehicle is in motion, the chain can collide with parts of the wheel arch and assume unpredictable behaviour.
Chain/wheel compatibility problems: Chain that looks too big
If your König Supertractor snow chain looks too big, you will tend to have a very generous fit, which will make installation very easy. You will be able to hook the ends together easily, but once installed, the chain will not tension properly. You can tell this from the chain puller that closes almost completely towards the centre of the rim and from most rhomboid groups that remain very loose even when the chain is fully tensioned.
If you use the chain in 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:
Tyre wear
A worn tyre has less development than a brand new tyre. In some cases even tensioning the chain to the maximum is not sufficient to obtain a satisfactory fit on the tyre, the chain remains loose.
Tyre make and model
Some tyres of certain makes and models (e.g. Michelin Omnibib in size 380/70R28) have a greater chain development than all other makes and models (in size 380/70R28) included in the König standard size (size 3934), such that a larger chain size (size 1701) is required than the standard.
The physical dimensions/volume 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 Professional snow chain, which therefore covers a smaller tyre size range.
In this case, please 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 Supertractor that is too narrow negatively affects the installation process: at best it makes it difficult, but it may make it impossible. It all depends on how small the chain is in relation to the tyre.
A small König Supertractor snow chain makes it difficult, if not impossible, to attach the various elements at both ends, and when fitted, the chain is too tight on the wheel and the side elements that should normally be placed on the tyre shoulder end up 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:
Tyre tread profile
Bear in mind that there are various tyre profiles for agricultural vehicles, ranging from those with a herringbone tread (agricultural profile) to Multi Porpose Tyres (MPT tyres) and finally, trailer tyres (High Flotation). This difference in tread geometry can affect the fit of the chain on the tyre, making it difficult or even impossible to fit.
Tyre make and model
Some tyres of certain makes and models (e.g. Continental/Mitas HC70 in tyre size 420/70R24) have a smaller development than all other makes and models (of tyre size 420/70R24) included in the König standard size (tyre size 1601), such that a smaller chain size (tyre size 3969) than the standard is required.
The physical dimensions/volume of the tyre do not correspond to the theoretical dimensions
i.e. your tyre in terms of snow chain compatibility is considered ‘non-standard’ or more technically oversized. This means that your tyre is larger than standard and requires a smaller chain.
Your tyre will therefore require a larger Professional snow chain, which covers a range of dimensionally larger tyres.
In this case, please 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.
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 doubt that the chain is too big for their wheel when they are hooking the two ends of the chain onto the tyre tread, and the chain assemblies remain very soft on the tyre even after tensioning the chain with the tyre tensioner.
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 chain has a chance to position itself and balance correctly on the tyre.
Stop, unhook the spring-loaded end, unravel the excess part of the chain and release the chain tensioning lever.
Now pull the tensioning chain vigorously and hook the tensioning lever into the nearest link and engage the lever in the ring.
Wrap the surplus part of the tensioning chain around the bar puller itself, so that it does not come into contact with the rim while the vehicle is in motion, by hooking the spring-loaded end hook into one of the nearest links of the chain.
You are done. Now the two chains are fitted and tensioned, you are ready to go.
Attention: As König Professional snow chains are made entirely of steel and designed to withstand the most extreme conditions, they are not equipped with any automatic micro-tensioning device. We ask you to take into consideration that the combination of the variety of tyre geometries and tyre treads on the market, the weight and size of the chain and its links, may make a second stop necessary to re-tension the chain.
If even after the re-tensioning your chain is still large and it is not possible to tension it any further, 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.
Chain that looks too small/tight
It is easy to determine when a König Supertractor chain appears to be too narrow:
- If it is impossible or difficult to attach the various elements
- When 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.