The number one reason riding mower tire chains get returned is size, and the size that matters is stamped on the sidewall of the tire, not on the deck of the machine. A 42 inch deck says nothing about whether a chain fits. Two mowers with identical decks can run completely different rear tires, and a chain that fits one will rattle against the fender on the other.
That is also why car-style snow chains are useless here. Automotive chains are built around a passenger tire profile and a wheel well with generous clearance. A riding mower has a fender an inch or two off the tread, a plastic deck above that, and turf tires that are far wider than they are tall. The best snow chains for riding mowers are low profile ladder chains, rubber tracked chains, or ring and stud styles sized to a specific tire code.
We pulled ten sets that cover the tire sizes mower owners actually run, from 16×6.5×8 on a small two-stage snow blower up to 24×12-12 on a wide-trace tractor, and we sorted them by fitment range, link gauge, whether a tensioner is included, and how the owners describe the ride. Everything here is a set for two tires unless we say otherwise. Prices move constantly, so use the check buttons rather than any figure you might see quoted in an article.
Table of Contents
Do You Need Snow Chains on All Four Tires or Just Two?
You need chains on the two rear drive tires. That is where traction comes from, and adding front chains rarely helps a two-wheel-drive riding mower.
If you run a four-wheel-drive machine, front chains are possible but they load the front axle hard, and unweighted front tires have little weight pressing the chain into the surface. Owners weighing in on tractorbynet.com warn that a chained front axle is where things break first, so rear-only is the safer default. The exception is a machine you push or load downhill on ice, where a chained front tire can stop a slide.
Top 3 Snow Chains for Riding Mowers (October 2026)
These three cover the widest range of real mower tire sizes and scored strongest with owners, and each solves a different problem: one protects the driveway, one covers the most tire sizes, one fits the wide tires zero-turn mowers run.
TerraGrips Rubber Tracks 20×8-8
- Rubber cross-track design
- Protects pavement and turf
- Fits 20x8-8 tires
- Universal fit
OakTen 2-Link Chains 20x8x8
- Fits six common tire sizes
- Zinc-plated alloy steel
- 2-link ladder pattern
- Set of 2
TerraGrips Rubber Tracks 23×10.5-12
- Rubber cross-track design
- Built for 23x10.5-12 tires
- No pavement scarring
- Vehicle specific fit
Riding Mower Tire Chains Compared in 2026
The short version: measure your tire, match it to the size range below, and then decide between steel ladder chains and rubber tracks based on what you are driving over.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
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TerraGrips Tire Chains 20×8-8
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Check Latest Price |
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OakTen 2-Link Chains for 20x8x8 and More
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Check Latest Price |
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TerraGrips Tire Chains 23×10.5-12
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Check Latest Price |
Welironly 2-Link Chains 24×12-12
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Check Latest Price |
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TerraGrips Tire Chains 22×9.5-12
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Check Latest Price |
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OakTen 2-Link Chains 16×6.5×8
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Check Latest Price |
ROP Shop 2-Link Chains and Tensioners 20x10x8
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Check Latest Price |
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ROP Shop 2-Link Chains and Tensioners 20x8x8
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Check Latest Price |
SCC Max Trac Heavy Duty Chains
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Check Latest Price |
Multisland 2-Link Chains 18×8.5-8
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Check Latest Price |
1. TerraGrips Rubber Tracks for 20×8-8 Tires
TerraGrips Tire Chains (20×8-8) [ST90001]
Rubber cross-track design
20x8-8 fit
Protects pavement and turf
Universal fit
Pros
- Strong grip on steep hills
- Leaves asphalt and lawns unmarked
- Smoother ride than steel chain
- Durable cross links
Cons
- Latch takes practice to close
- Rubber is stiff when cold
- Weak on pure ice
These are rubber tracked chains rather than steel links, and that single design choice changes how the machine feels. The rubber cross-track sits across the tread and bites without the metal-on-concrete noise, and owners credit them with turning a spinning tractor into something that climbs. Fit is universal for 20×8-8 tires, and the part number is ST90001.
What convinced us was the drive surface. Most of us clear a driveway on the way to the sidewalk, and these leave the asphalt alone while still digging into packed snow. Owners running sloped property say the grip holds where turf tires would just spin, and the cross links show little wear after repeated use.
![TerraGrips Tire Chains (20x8-8) [ST90001] customer photo 1](https://mediarnbo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/B009S7XEU4_customer_1.jpg)
The compromises are honest ones. Installation is slower than steel because you have to work the latch tight, and the rubber is stiff when it is cold, so the first fit of the season takes patience. Several owners also note that on glassy bare ice the tracks are noticeably less convincing than steel, since the rubber compound has less to dig with than a steel cross chain.
Who this fits best
If your property has a paved driveway, a slope, and a lawn you would rather not tear up, this is the set to buy. It is also a sensible pairing with a two-stage snow blower on 20×8-8 tires when the blower is the only machine you chain.
Where it falls short
Skip it if your problem is thin ice over solid ground rather than packed snow, and skip it if you want a set you can throw on in under two minutes. If you have never installed a chain before, a steel ladder set with a spring tensioner is a gentler place to start.
![TerraGrips Tire Chains (20x8-8) [ST90001] customer photo 2](https://mediarnbo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/B009S7XEU4_customer_2.jpg)
2. OakTen 2-Link Chains for 20x8x8 and 20x10x8 Tires
OakTen Set of 2 Snow Tire Chains for Lawn Tractor, Riding Mower, Snow Blower – Zinc Plated 2 Link Enhanced Traction Garden Tractor Chains – Fits 20x8x8 20x8x10 21x7x8
2-link ladder pattern
Zinc-plated alloy steel
Side chain 42.5 inches
Fits six tire sizes
Pros
- Fits six common mower tire sizes
- Reliable grip in snow and mud
- Quick setup and removal
- One year warranty
Cons
- Tensioner sold as a separate variant
- Runs in deep tread lugs
- Listed weight of 5.65 kg
This is the set we keep coming back to for ordinary riding mowers because the fitment range is unusually generous for a steel ladder chain. It covers 20x7x12, 20x8x8, 20x8x10, 20x9x8, 21x7x8 and 21x7x10, which spans most of the rear tire codes found on John Deere, MTD, Murray and Cub Cadet machines from the last two decades.
Construction is a zinc-plated alloy steel 2-link ladder pattern with a 42.5 inch side chain. Two-link spacing is the quiet one: it contacts the tread on every rotation, so the ride stays predictable and the chain does not skip between the tread blocks. Buyers report dependable grip in both snow and mud, and most of them have it on in a couple of minutes.
Two things to plan around. The tensioner is a separate variant rather than something in the box, so budget for a spring tensioner if you plan to drive up and down a slope. And on very deep-lug or snow-pattern tires the cross chains can sit down between the knobs, which reduces bite until you trim or reposition them.
What makes it the pick for most mowers
One set covers six tire sizes, so if you own a riding mower and a snow blower that share the same rear tire family, a single purchase handles both. The zinc plating also holds up against the salt slurry that sits on a treated driveway all winter.
What to watch
Match the tire code, not the deck size, and measure the fender gap before you order. Deep-lug tires and a tight fender well are the two most common reasons a set like this ends up in a return pile.
3. Multisland 2-Link Chains for 18×8.5-8 Tires
Multisland 1 Pair 2 Link Lawn Tractor Tire Chains 18×8.5×8
2-link alloy steel
Zinc-plated finish
Fits 18x8.5-8 tires
Pair of chains
Pros
- Grip on snow
- mud and slippery ground
- Solid zinc-plated alloy steel
- Good for rider snow blowers
- Compact and light
Cons
- Only 15 day manufacturer warranty
- One tire size per listing
- Tires not included
The 18×8.5-8 size shows up on older rider snow blowers and small garden tractors, and this is a clean 2-link set sized exactly for it. The chain is zinc-plated alloy steel, the pattern is ladder style, and the box contains one pair covering two tires. Model number JS-012.
Owners like the fact that it stops a rider blower from sliding off a sloped driveway sideways. Reviewers report solid traction on snow-covered, muddy and otherwise slippery ground, and several mention that it fits the smaller stock steel rims without any trimming. It ships as a straightforward drive-on set with the usual quick-connect hooks.
The warranty is the weak point. Fifteen days from the date of purchase is a very short window, so treat that as a prompt to check fit the day it arrives. There is also exactly one tire size in this listing, so confirm the sidewall code before ordering, and note the tires themselves are not part of the package.
Who it suits
Older rider snow blowers and compact garden tractors running 18×8.5-8 tires, particularly anyone who wants a simple 2-link set without paying for a full kit. The light listed weight of 4.22 kg also makes it easier to carry to the machine.
Who should pass
If you want a longer warranty behind the purchase, or you own a machine with a tire size this set does not cover, keep looking. Buying by mower model rather than tire size is the most common ordering mistake we see.
4. TerraGrips Rubber Tracks for 23×10.5-12 Tires
TerraGrips Tire Chains (23×10.5-12) [ST90008]
Rubber cross-track design
Sized for 23x10.5-12 tires
Protects pavement or turf
Vehicle specific fit
Pros
- Strong traction in packed snow
- Will not scar pavement or tear turf
- Smoother ride
- Easy to jack up and install
Cons
- Costs more than a steel chain set
- Limited advantage on pure ice
- Spacing bars evenly takes effort
The 23×10.5-12 is the tire code that shows up on wide-track tractors and zero-turn mowers, and this is the set built for it. Same rubber cross-track idea as the smaller TerraGrips, sized larger, listed as a vehicle specific fit with part number ST90008.
Owners running sloped driveways report that the machine climbs instead of spinning, and several describe the change as dramatic. Because the tracks are rubber, a cleared driveway stays clean and the lawn underneath is not torn up, which matters on a machine that is also a mower for eight months of the year.
![TerraGrips Tire Chains (23x10.5-12) [ST90008] customer photo 1](https://mediarnbo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/B009SMU9MK_customer_1.jpg)
The tradeoffs are cost and ice performance. Several owners consider the price high next to a steel ladder set, and a few find the tracks no better than chains on wet sticky snow or on bare ice. Spacing the tread bars evenly on a tire this wide takes more attention than it does on a narrow 8 inch wheel, and doing it right matters.
Best fit for the job
Zero-turn and wide-track mowers on 23×10.5-12 tires where you alternate between turf in summer and snow clearing in winter. It is also the more forgiving option when the machine shares a driveway with neighbors who would rather not see steel marks.
Watch for this
Check fender clearance before ordering, since a wide tire has less room above it. If your real problem is hard ice rather than packed snow, a steel studded or V-bar chain will bite harder and this set will not.
![TerraGrips Tire Chains (23x10.5-12) [ST90008] customer photo 2](https://mediarnbo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/B009SMU9MK_customer_2.jpg)
5. Welironly 2-Link Chains for 24×12-12 Tires
Welironly New Pair 2 Link TIRE Chains 24×12-12 for John Deere Lawn Mower Tractor Rider,#id(theropshop; TRYK80271680536533
18 cross chains
0.191 inch outside links
Zinc-plated alloy and carbon steel
Fits 24x12-12 tires
Pros
- Heavy chain gauge with 18 cross chains
- Good value against dealer pricing
- Holds up with little visible wear
- Helpful fitment support
Cons
- Runs very tight on this tire size
- May need links cut or a tie-back
- Tires not included
This is the thickest chain in the group and the only one sized for 24×12-12 tires, a wide rear tire used on heavy tractors and commercial machines. Outside links measure 0.191 inch (4.85mm), cross links 0.178 inch (4.5mm), and there are 18 cross chains per set. Listed weight is 18.5 pounds for the pair.
Buyers credit the heavy gauge for real bite, and the pattern of feedback is that it survives heavy use with no visible wear after mowing a lot of ground. Owners also rate the value well against dealer pricing at the same size, and several mention that customer support handled their fitment questions helpfully.
This is the tightest-fitting set we tested. On a 24×12-12 tire the chain can barely pass over the tread at rest, so expect to drop tire pressure to get it on, and expect the possibility of trimming an extra link or adding a tie-back to close the gap. That is where the 4.1 rating comes from, and it is worth planning for before the first snowfall rather than during it.
Why the heavy gauge matters
Thicker cross links and side chains resist deflection under load, so the chain stays seated instead of flattening out and sliding. On a wide tire carrying a lot of weight over ice, that difference is what separates a chain that works from one that decorates.
Before you buy
Measure the fender gap on the widest part of the tire and have a link cutter on hand. If your machine has tight fender clearance, a lower profile set for a narrower tire size is a better answer than forcing this one.
6. TerraGrips Rubber Tracks for 22×9.5-12 Tires
TerraGrips Tire Chains (22×9.5-12, 20×10-8 Carlisle Turf Saver/Master [ST90003]
Rubber cross-track design
Fits 22x9.5-12 and 20x10-8
Steel-belted rubber
12 pound listed weight
Pros
- Traction on steep rocky hills
- Does not mark asphalt
- Durable with little wear
- Steel-belted rubber holds together
Cons
- Weaker than steel on bare ice
- Can slip if not tightened
- Long install to dial in
- Rough ride on pavement
Two tire codes in one set is unusual and useful: this covers 22×9.5-12 as well as 20×10-8 Carlisle Turf Saver and Master tires. The construction is a steel-belted rubber cross-track design, universal fit, with a listed weight of 12 pounds for the set. Part number ST90003.
The consistent owner story is hills. People clearing steep, rocky ground report that turf tires would spin out where these tracks hold, and the asphalt stays unmarked. The steel belt inside the rubber is why the cross links survive repeated use instead of tearing after a season.
![TerraGrips Tire Chains (22x9.5-12, 20x10-8 Carlisle Turf Saver/Master [ST90003] customer photo 1](https://mediarnbo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/B009SMAK92_customer_1.jpg)
What to plan for is installation effort and bare ice. Getting the tracks seated and the latch fully closed can take an hour the first time, and a few owners report the set slipping or twisting when it was not tightened properly at install. On glass rather than snow, grip drops noticeably, and the ride over pavement is rougher than a steel ladder chain gives you.
Best case for it
Property with real elevation change, mixed driveways and turf, and a mower that runs 22×9.5-12 or 20×10-8 tires. The dual size coverage also makes it a sensible single purchase for a household running two different machines.
Where it is not the answer
Ice that has not been walked on, and anyone in a hurry. Budget real time for the first installation, and re-check tension after the first pass because the rubber takes up as it seats.
![TerraGrips Tire Chains (22x9.5-12, 20x10-8 Carlisle Turf Saver/Master [ST90003] customer photo 2](https://mediarnbo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/B009SMAK92_customer_2.jpg)
7. OakTen 2-Link Chains for 16×6.5×8 Tires
OakTen Set of 2 16×6.5×8 Tire Chains for Lawn Garden Tractors Mowers and Rider, 2-Link Lawn Tractors Tire Chains
Fits 16x6.5x8 tires
Zinc-plated alloy steel
Needs 3 inch clearance
Set of 2
Pros
- Fixes sliding on snow blowers
- About five minutes to fit
- Good value
- Low tire noise
Cons
- Rides up between deep tread lugs
- Extra links often need cutting
- Instructions are vague
The 16×6.5×8 size is snow blower territory, and this set is built for it. Zinc-plated alloy steel in a 2-link ladder pattern, sold as a pair, with a listed weight of 6 pounds and a one year manufacturer warranty. Model number 33-0004.
Owners on small tractors and two-stage blowers say it solves the sliding they were fighting on a sloped driveway, and several report fitting it in roughly five minutes per tire. The 2-link pattern keeps the ride quiet, which matters when the blower is a noisy machine to begin with.
Check your clearance first
This set calls out a minimum of 3 inches between the tire and the frame or fender. That is a real constraint, so measure the narrowest point around the wheel before ordering rather than after. Small 8 inch wheels on a two-stage blower are often tucked tight under a deck.
Known rough edges
On knobby or deep-lug tires the chain can ride up between the knobs and lose effectiveness, and owners on small frames often need to cut an extra link to get it to close. The written instructions are thin, so plan on a few minutes with the machine and a tape measure.
8. The ROP Shop 2-Link Chains and Tensioners for 20x10x8 Tires
The ROP Shop Pair of 2 Link Tire Chains & Tensioners 20x10x8
Chains plus four-way spring tensioners
16 cross chains
0.191 inch outside links
Fits 20x10x8 tires
Pros
- Spring tensioners included
- Good fit on 20x10x8 tractor tires
- Helpful install video
- Good value as a bundle
Cons
- Hooks are fiddly to latch
- Pliers may be needed on spring tensioners
- Some chains arrive tangled
The reason to like this set is what comes in the box. You get a pair of zinc-plated 2-link chains and a pair of four-way spring tensioners, which means the thing that actually keeps the chain tight after the first few passes is included rather than being a separate order. Gauge matches the heavy sets at 0.191 inch outside links with 16 cross chains, and it fits 20x10x8 tires with a one year warranty.
Owners running 20x10x8 tires on John Deere and similar tractors report a solid fit, and several point out that the included tensioners pull the chain snug right after installation. The install video that ships with the product is genuinely useful, which matters for a set this size.
The small frustrations are mechanical. The quick-connect hooks are fiddly to close, and opening the spring tensioners can take pliers. A few buyers also received a chain that was tangled badly enough to need pliers, a vise and a hammer to free, and there are isolated reports of a chain loosening after fitting.
Why the spring tensioner matters
A spring tensioner takes up slack as the chain seats into the tread, so the chain does not have to be perfect at install. Owners on tractorbynet.com make the same point, that simple 2-link ladder chains work well once a spring tensioner pulls the slack out.
Best for
Anyone on 20x10x8 tires who wants a complete, ready-to-install kit without a second order. It also suits a snow blower sharing that tire size on the same property.
9. The ROP Shop 2-Link Chains and Tensioners for 20x8x8 Tires
The ROP Shop Pair of 2 Link Tire Chains & Tensioners 20x8x8
Chains plus spring tensioners
16 cross chains
0.157 inch outside links
45 tire size variants
Pros
- Largest review base in the group
- Strong traction on wet clay and snow
- Leaves few visible tracks
- 45 tire sizes in the same family
Cons
- Tedious to space evenly
- Can need wheel spacers for clearance
- Tensioners oversized on small sizes
This is the set with the most owner history behind it. It carries over a thousand reviews and sits at the top of its snow thrower and yard equipment chain category, and the same family covers 45 tire sizes from 13x5x6 up to 26x12x12, so a multi-machine household can stay in one brand. Chains and spring tensioners are included, with 16 cross chains and lighter 0.157 inch outside links.
On traction, the feedback is consistent across terrains. Owners report a noticeable improvement on wet clay, in snow, and on soft ground, and several mention how few visible tracks the set leaves in the yard once it is on. At 13.7 pounds for the pair it is substantial without being unwieldy.
Install time is the recurring complaint. Spacing the cross chains evenly so they land between the tread blocks can take a couple of hours on a first attempt, and a few buyers also flag that the included tensioners are oversized for the smaller tire sizes in the range. Clearance is the other issue: on a machine with a tight wheel arch, wheel spacers may be needed to stop the chain touching the frame.
Best for
Muddy or wet ground as much as snow, particularly on properties with clay soil that turns to slime in a thaw. Anyone running more than one machine benefits from the size coverage within one product family.
Before you order
Measure the gap between tire and frame with the machine loaded, not sitting light. And set aside an unhurried first install, because a chain that is properly spaced holds far better than one that is rushed.
10. SCC Max Trac Heavy Duty Chains for Small Tires
Security Chain Company 1061256 Max Trac Heavy Duty Zinc Traction Tire Chains, Designed for Snow Blowers and Garden Tractors in Snow, Ice and Mudd, Set of 2
Reinforced zinc-plated two-link
Fits small tire sizes
Pair of chains
Tensioner sold separately
Pros
- Largest review count in the group
- Reinforced zinc-plated build
- Improves traction on uneven driveways
- Covers several small tire sizes
Cons
- Final hook is time consuming to close
- Chains ride up on deep-lug tires
- Tensioner not included
Security Chain Company Max Trac sets are the entry point for most people, and this reinforced zinc-plated two-link set is the version built for snow blowers and garden tractors. It covers the small tire codes including 12.5×4.50×6, 12x7x4, 13×4.00×5, 10x6x6, 13×5.00×6, 13x4x6 and 13×5.00×7, at a listed weight of 5.3 pounds and a one year warranty.
With more than fourteen hundred reviews behind it, the pattern of feedback is well established. Owners like the reinforced zinc plating and report that it holds up to wear, and they credit it with getting a snow blower or small tractor up uneven, steep driveways that it used to slide on. The fit range means one purchase can cover a blower and a small tractor.
Two practical notes. The chain tightener is not included, and the company recommends their QG20025 tensioner, so plan a second small order if you want a properly snugged chain. The other is tread pattern: on deep-lug or snow tires the cross chains sit down between the knobs, which cuts the effectiveness, and closing that final hook is the fiddly part of the install.
Best for
Walk-behind and rider snow blowers on small wheels, and anyone who wants to try chains for the first time without committing much. It is the simplest set here to carry around and to put on.
Where to spend a little more
If the machine is a riding mower rather than a blower, a set sized to your actual rear tire code will fit better and last longer than a small-tire set stretched onto it. Verify the tire size before ordering rather than going by model name.
How to Find Your Tire Size Before You Buy
Read the tire size off the sidewall, not off the mower listing. Every tire carries a code such as 23×10.50-12, and it is the only thing that decides whether a chain fits.
The code reads width in inches, then the aspect ratio, then the rim diameter in inches. On 23×10.50-12, the tire is 23 inches tall at the ground, 10.50 inches wide, and mounts on a 12 inch rim. On 20x8x8, it is 20 inches tall, 8 inches wide, on an 8 inch rim. That height is what the chain has to wrap, which is why two tires with different heights cannot share a set.
Look at the sidewall on the rear wheel, photograph the code, and then match it against the size range printed on the chain listing. Measure the tire outer diameter and the width as well, since listings sometimes express the same size in slightly different formats such as 20x8x8 and 20×8-8. Ordering by deck size or by mower model is the single most common reason chains come back.
Which Chain Style Should You Buy?
Traction runs in a clear order: studded Euro or logger style first, then V-bar chains, then square link chains, and standard ladder chains last. Pavement damage runs in exactly the same order, so the more grip you buy, the more surface you risk marking.
For a riding mower on a residential property, most owners land in the middle of that list. A 2-link ladder chain with a spring tensioner is enough to stop a spinning rear tire on packed snow, and it is the quietest option over concrete. If you regularly face hard ice or steep driveways, V-bar or studded chains bite harder and pay for it in fender clearance and any paved surface they cross.
Link spacing is the next decision. 2-link spacing puts a cross chain in nearly every tread gap, which gives a consistent ride with less grip slip. 4-link spacing leaves more bare rubber between cross chains, adds bite and self-cleaning on wet ground, and gives you a rougher ride. Zero-turn and wide-track mowers are usually happier with tighter spacing because of the tire width.
Studded and V-bar chains
Studded Euro or logger style chains add ice-breaking bars to the side chains and are the consensus favorite for grip among owners on tractorbynet.com and tractorforum.com, where the advice is repeated often: best traction, worst road manners. V-bar chains are the middle step, with a pronounced V tread that cuts into snow and ice without the height of a true stud.
Spring, Cam or Bungee Tensioners Compared
Use a spring or cam tensioner, and stay away from rubber bungee tensioners on anything you drive above about 30 mph.
A spring tensioner pulls the slack out as the chain seats, then holds a light constant squeeze, which is why simple 2-link ladder chains are widely considered sufficient once one is fitted. A cam tensioner gives you a mechanical lock and is the choice owners on tractorbynet.com recommend for machines that get worked hard. A rubber bungee just stretches, and the same forum consensus is that it is useless above roughly 30 mph because it lets the chain bag out on a loaded tire.
Chains loosen over time. Re-check tightness after the first few passes, and again partway through a storm.
Chains for Zero-Turn Mowers and the 2 Inch Clearance Rule
Yes, chains fit zero-turn mowers, and the 23×10.5-12 rubber tracked set above is sized for the wide rear tires they typically run. The catch is clearance, and the rule of thumb that keeps coming out of owner discussions is at least 2 inches between the chain and the fender.
Two inch clearance means measuring at the top of the tire, at rest and loaded, and adding the chain thickness on top. If you cannot get there on a standard riding mower deck, your options in order are wheel spacers, a lower profile chain, or studded tires. Studded tires are the honest alternative when no chain will clear the fender, though they make the machine useless on turf in summer. Measure before you order, because bending a fender is a far worse outcome than returning a set.
How to Install Chains in Four Steps
Lay the chain flat on the ground in front of the rear tire, with the cross chains facing up and the side chain opening toward the machine.
Roll the mower forward slowly until the tire sits in the middle of the chain, then keep creeping forward until the chain wraps up the back of the tire.
Pull the rear hook up to the front hook and seat it, then check that every cross chain is sitting in a tread gap rather than on top of a lug.
Fit the spring or cam tensioner, drive forward a few feet, then stop and re-check tightness as the chain takes up.
No wheel removal needed for any of the sets reviewed here. If the chain will not go on, deflate the tire slightly rather than forcing it, and never use the machine to drag the chain onto the tire at speed.
Pavement, Turf and Winter Storage Warnings
Chain wear on pavement is a function of how much the tire spins. If the chain has grip, the wheel rolls and the links barely scuff; if it slips, metal grinds away and the drive surface takes the damage.
Rubber tracked chains remove that problem almost entirely, which is the entire argument for them. Steel chains, and studded or V-bar chains in particular, should stay off dry asphalt whenever you can route around it.
When you do run steel over pavement, keep to the low speeds owners report, well under the point where the chain is bouncing, and take them off at the end of the run. Heavy-duty chains rip up anything they cross, including pavers, grass and gravel beds, so treat a cleared path as a route to protect.
After the last storm, rinse the chains off to strip road salt, dry them fully, and inspect for rust or cracked links before storing them off the ground. A light coat of oil on steel chains before storage keeps salt out of the hinges. Keep the tensioners in the same bin so the next install is one step instead of three. If you are near a coastline or treat your driveway heavily in winter, cleaning them off twice a season makes a measurable difference to how long they last.
And sometimes the right answer is no chains at all. On flat driveways where you clear after a light snow, or on a machine that only ever touches pavement, a rubber tracked set or even nothing will serve you better than heavy steel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best tractor tire chains for snow conditions?
For most riding mowers a 2-link ladder chain with a spring tensioner is the best balance of grip and ride, sized to your exact tire code. Reach for V-bar or studded Euro style chains when you face hard ice or steep driveways, and accept more fender clearance and pavement marking. Rubber tracked chains are the best choice when a paved driveway or lawn is under the machine. Ranking by grip: studded, then V-bar, then square link, then standard ladder.
Do you need snow chains on all four tires or just two?
Just the two rear drive tires on almost every machine. That is where traction comes from. On four-wheel-drive models, front chains load the front axle hard and unweighted front tires have little weight to press the chain into the surface, so a chained front axle is a common failure point. Add front chains only if you regularly push or load the machine downhill on ice.
Can you put chains on a zero turn lawn mower?
Yes. Zero-turn mowers typically run wide rear tires such as 23×10.5-12, and chains and rubber tracked chains are made in that size. The constraint is fender clearance: leave at least 2 inches between the chain and the fender, measured at the top of the tire. If you cannot get that gap, use wheel spacers, a lower profile chain, or switch to studded tires.
Who makes the best snow tire chains?
OakTen and The ROP Shop cover the widest ranges of mower and snow blower tire sizes, with The ROP Shop also including spring tensioners in the box. Security Chain Company Max Trac is the simplest entry-level option for small tires. TerraKing TerraGrips rubber tracked chains are the pick when you need traction without marking pavement or tearing turf.
What’s better than tire chains?
Studded tires are the alternative when a chain will not clear your fenders, and they work in any temperature as long as you swap them out before mowing season. For a machine that only clears flat driveways, a rubber tracked chain or nothing at all is often better. Winter tires fitted to the rim avoid the fitment guesswork but cost far more than a set of chains.
What size tire chains do I need for my riding mower?
Read the code off the rear tire sidewall, for example 23×10.50-12 or 20x8x8, and match that exact code to the size range printed on the chain listing. The first number is tire height in inches and the last is rim diameter. Never order by deck size or mower model, because identical decks run different rear tires.
Our Verdict: The Best Snow Chains for Riding Mowers in 2026
For most people reading this, the TerraGrips rubber tracked set for 20×8-8 tires is the one to buy. It carries a 4.4 rating across a large body of owner reviews, it grips packed snow and slopes without tearing up a lawn or marking a driveway, and it solves the exact problem that sends chains back: traction without collateral damage.
If your tire is 20x8x8 or 20x10x8 and you want steel, the OakTen set covers six tire sizes for a single purchase and holds a 4.7 rating. If you run a zero-turn on 23×10.5-12 tires, the larger TerraGrips set is built for it. Whatever you choose, measure the tire code, measure the fender gap, fit a spring or cam tensioner, and check the tension again after the first pass.