Index
- Introduction
- Products Affected
- Content
- Initial Information and Preparation
- Assembly
- Dismantling
- Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Common Errors
1. Introduction
The König Load Master is the snow chain for special vehicles that need safety when handling equipment or goods in general on icy and/or snow-covered surfaces.
The double rhomboid tread of the König Load Master offers a stable ride and is free from the typical vibrations of snow chains, providing greater safety when manoeuvring heavy loads.
2. Product
The product covered in this in-depth study is the König Load Master 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 Professional snow chains in the Special Vehicles segment are produced with multiple thread diameters (thinner links for lighter applications or space constraints / thicker links for heavier vehicles and intensive use), which means they can fit the tyres better.
The threads available for the various models in the category are: 4.50mm, 5.50mm, 7.00mm.
5. Mounting
The König Load Master provides a traditional mounting system with the typical triple hook system (1 hook for the centre tread, 1 hook for the inner side and 1 hook for the outer side). This system offers a comfortable driving experience during continuous use.
Now let's look specifically at how it works:
First, remove the chain from the packaging and lay it out in front of the wheel of your vehicle, making sure it has no knots. If you find them, untie them so that the chain is presented in an orderly manner.
Caution: 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 end and chain puller are positioned towards the outer side of the wheel.
Now lift the chain by gripping the inner side chain and push the latter behind the wheel.
Then place the rest of the chain evenly on the tyre and proceed slowly with the vehicle one wheel revolution.
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 from the tyre. In this way you will be more comfortable during the hitching process.
Once you have positioned the chain evenly on the tyre, you can attach the chain in the following order:
- First connect the inner part of the wheel, hooking the locking hook to the ring
- Now connect the central part of the wheel, hooking the locking hook to the ring
- Now connect the outer part of the wheel, hooking the latch hook to the ring
Attention: once the chain is attached, 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,
A. B.
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. Stop to retract the chains.
Unhook the spring-loaded end, unravel the excess chain and release the chain tensioning lever.
Now pull the tensioning chain tight and engage the tensioning lever, inserting it into the nearest link and hooking the lever into the tensioning ring (A)
Wrap the surplus part of the tensioning chain around the chain puller itself, so that it does not come into contact with the rim while the vehicle is running, and hook the spring-loaded end hook into one of the nearest links of the chain (B).
You are finished. Now the two chains are fitted and tensioned, you are ready to go.
6. Dismounting
Removing your König Load Master snow chain takes just a few simple steps:
Unhook the spring-loaded end hook from the chain and unravel the excess links of the tensioning chain.
Unhook the tensioning lever and pull it off the link, using your hands to move the chain on the tyre and make it soft 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.
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.
For this reason, it is important to turn the snow chains on the wheels after having travelled a few kilometres and having checked the wear condition of the tread links.
Let's see together how to turn the chains:
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 stuck together, it 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 driving the vehicle, the chain can bump into the wheel arch parts and assume unpredictable behaviour.
Chain/wheel compatibility problems: Chain that looks too big
If your König Load Master 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 one. 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. Trak in tyre size 5.00R10) have a greater development than all other makes and models (in tyre size 5.00R10) included in the König standard size (tyre size 5273), such that a larger chain size (tyre size 4008) is required than the standard.
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 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 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: The Chain Looks Too Small
A König Load 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 Load Master snow chain makes it difficult, if not impossible, to attach the various elements at both ends, 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 remove 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 make and model
Some tyres of certain makes and models (e.g. Kubota in tyre size 23X8.50R12) have a smaller chain size than all other makes and models (of tyre size 23X8.50R12) included in the König standard size (tyre size 4033), such that a smaller chain size (tyre size 5277) is required compared to the standard.
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 Load Master 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 Load Master 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.