Are Snowblower Chains Worth It?


Snowblowers are invaluable equipment during winter as they help get rid of snow. From helping to clear walkways, driveways, and parking lots, snow blowers ensure that we are mobile even during the nastiest snowy weather. However, you may find your snowblower getting stuck in the same snow it’s supposed to remove, especially on icy surfaces or deep snow. Snowblower tire chains can help with this but some people are still unsure whether it’s worth it to invest in tire chains.

Snowblower tire chains are worthwhile investments. Your snowblower can easily become significantly inefficient or even useless in deep snow. Using a tire chain in these situations will provide the much needed traction to get rid of snow. 

As you may have already found out yourself, your snowblower is of no use if it’s stuck in the very snow you are trying to remove. Snowblower tire chains function the same way as car snow chains. And using a tire chain will prevent your precious snowblower from getting stuck and actually removing snow from your driveway or walkway. 

Why you should invest in a snowblower chain

We said snowblower chains are worthwhile investments are below are the reasons why you should invest in one:

Improves traction: We’ve been kind of repeating this one like a broken record but this is actually the most important benefit of snowblower chains. The chains will maintain more easily on slippery surfaces (due to ice and snow) and also in deep snow. This way, your snowblower won’t get stuck and you have more control over the machine. 

Extra power when turning: You are able to control your snowblower better with tire chains on. The thing with snow and ice is that they may sometimes make your snowblower more prone to slipping especially during turns. And using a chain will improve the friction between your tire and the ground. 

Breaking Down Ice: Tire chains offer another benefit in the power they provide. Some of that power is useful when turning your snowblower as we discussed above. The rest of that power helps you break through ice thanks to the weight of your snowblower. This, in addition to providing traction, ensures that your snowblower never gets stuck.

I would recommend getting a Rotary brand tire chain. You can find them on Amazon here.  

Snowblower tire chain considerations

There are a number of factors you should put into consideration when buying a snowblower chain. The most important factor is the ease of installation of the chains you intend to buy. Except you have a lot of DIY experience, you should look to buy tire chains that are easy and straightforward to install. There are chains you can get up and running in a couple of minutes and your snowblower is going to remove that white stuff like a champ. 

The size of your tires and your snowblower is another obvious consideration. There’s usually a limited amount of space between components and the tires of most snowblowers and throwers. And the amount of space on your snowblower determines the type and size of chain you will get. 

It’s easy to find this out as you can physically measure the space in the snowblower. For me, I like the easy route which involves consulting the owner’s manual. There, you’ll get important information like the tire height ratio, width, and diameter. 

Portability and durability should also be considered as you want the chain to be portable and compact without interfering with the performance of your snowblower. Also, you want a product that’s durable and long-lasting. 

Tips about using chains on your snowblower

Installing chains on snowblowers is an easy affair. There are several videos about snowblower tire chain installation online that will guide you through the installation process. However, the general procedure of installing snowblower tire chains goes like this:

Step 1: Start by laying the tire chains out on the floor such that the curled ends of the cross chains are facing up. After that, install the tire chains on the tires while making sure that the flat surface of the cross chains is against the tire sidewall. The side chains should not be crossed or twisted. 

Step 2: You’ll find out that the end of the two side chains comes with two different hooks/clips. One of the hooks is fixed and should be installed on the inside side of the tire. The other clip is a long and movable clip that will be installed away from the snowblower on the outside of the tire. 

Step 3: After that, lay the chains out in such a way that they’ll easily wrap around the tire. Do this and the chains are ready for installation. You can choose to drive the unit over the tire chains to reach a point where you will be able to work them around the tire or you could just jack the wheel off the ground. 

Step 4: Hook the inside chain to the other end of the same side chain. Then connect the outer chain by passing it through the long shank of the first link. Watching a video will make this easy to understand. Then fold it back on itself. 

Practice before it snows: Tire chains should fit snugly over the tires that are installed on and this means that you may have to adjust your new chain and cut any excess off. Using bungee cords may also come in handy as they help increase tension. 

Don’t wait until you need to remove snow to find out that your chain isn’t properly installed. 

Tire chains may be a mandatory investment

If you live where it snows heavily, getting a chain for your snowblower may turn out to be a mandatory investment. It doesn’t matter what your feelings about tire chains are, it’s either you get them or risk your snowblower getting stuck. 

Getting a tire chain for your snowblower is an easy process as long as you know the dimensions of the tires. We’ve discussed how to get these dimensions above. Make sure you go for a reputable brand and read the installation manual or watch videos online to guide you through the installation process. 

Check out the best snowblower chains on Amazon here.