Chain Tensioner Ideas

[evil8x8]

My 1985 Argo 8x8 doesn't have chain tensioners on the chains to the front axles. The chains are double 50 and are pretty short (about 8" center of sprocket to center of sprocket). I am going to replace the chains to the front axles and I want to get tensioners for them. There isn't much around the front chains to bolt chain tensioners to. I was thinking of either making some free floating chain tensioners that ride on the chain and squeeze it together or the chain tensioners that look like a rubber sprocket and rides in between the chain pushing it outward. if I went this route, I would probably put a stainless steel sheet under the chain in case it would rub the body. Matt O was showing me this style tensioner last year on a Mud Ox. I think there was some pictures and a video of this kind of tensioner posted on here but I can't find it. What do you guys think? What would you do?

[akexpress]

They are rolla rings here is link to purchase them easy to install and use but suseptable to sticks etc. The new Mudd-Ox no longer uses them for this reason.
McMaster-Carr

[mightymaxIV]

My 1985 Argo 8x8 doesn't have chain tensioners on the chains to the front axles. The chains are double 50 and are pretty short (about 8" center of sprocket to center of sprocket). I am going to replace the chains to the front axles and I want to get tensioners for them. There isn't much around the front chains to bolt chain tensioners to. I was thinking of either making some free floating chain tensioners that ride on the chain and squeeze it together or the chain tensioners that look like a rubber sprocket and rides in between the chain pushing it outward. if I went this route, I would probably put a stainless steel sheet under the chain in case it would rub the body. Matt O was showing me this style tensioner last year on a Mud Ox. I think there was some pictures and a video of this kind of tensioner posted on here but I can't find it. What do you guys think? What would you do?

Evil, the pictures you have posted in this post are snap idle adjusters. Just to let you know I have been running a set on my max T-20 chains and have about 12 hours on them without problems. I have posted a link to the snap idle company for you to check out. These are industrail grade adjusters and cost about $100.00 a set. Hope this helps, DAN
Snap Idle products distributed by Dalton Bearing Service Inc

[evil8x8]

Thanks for the info guys.

I am going to try making my own chain tensioners. I want to make something similar to these Snap Idle Chain Tensioners offered by Dalton Bearing Service Inc. I was thinking of buying some nylon cutting boards to use but most of the ones I have found say "poly". Are these nylon? If not, would they work? Thanks.

[Dirty Harry]

I think you're going to want UHMW for your high-wear sections? Others here can confirm this. Either way, good quality chain tensioners, regularly & properly adjusted will add YEARS to your machine's running gear. Good luck and let us know what your final solution is (pics! pics! pics!).

[Roger S]

Cole, I'm thinkin' a floating idler will float downhill towards the smaller sprocket..

poly, nylon.. neoprene is tougher. I went to a plastics place one time and they had all kinds of grades of "plastic" sheets. I'd probably use a cutting board for prototypes. It might wear until the rollers start touching, then slow or stop. It's easy to work with, I use a table saw and router. I was making pads to keep the chain off the frame rails.

[mudbug3]

SnapIdle chain tensioners

I,m running these on both sides of my T-20 , and they work just GREAT! These chain tensioners travel about an inch and a half , in the direction the wheels are turning. After about 4 hours running , plus split shifting about 8-9 times,,my T-20 chains needed no adjustment. I plan on running these floating , chain tensioners on all of my Hustler,s too. After the initial stretch of a new chain, with the SnapIdle , chain adjusters installed, I doubt you,ll need much of any chain adjustment at all.

[Dirty Harry]

FWIW...

My Max II is an older machine ('96). When I first bought it I seemed to be constantly adjusting my chains' tension. Then about 6 or 7 years ago I swapped out all stock stuff with John Deere chain. HUGE difference. Far less adjustments, (and less chain noise, too). May not make as dramatic a difference with the newer R.I. machines, as they now all come with o-ring chain?