argo chain way to tight.

[plott hound]

so i started putting my chains on today.used my chain tool and got the front left side chain on no troubles.went to the right front and had a terrible time pulling chain tight enough to get master link in.after an hour of sweating and cursing i finally got link in but the chain is way to tight.so it looks like i have to buy a 10 ft pce of double 50 and do some experimenting.my question is will a half link get me out of trouble here?

cheers.

[bcsteve]

I'll let the chain expert answer but from what I've read, a half link will only get you IN trouble and mess up your sprockets.

[george_pimpdaddy]

I know when I installed my chains that some were a little tighter than others and I didn't even have the proper chain puller so i made some from small needle nose vise grips that i shaved down to hook into the chains. I recall that one took more time than the others but I finally got it done. Just keep at em and sometimes its best to walk away for a moment to collect your thoughts.

[Rock Doctor]

I also lean away from "Half-Links", but it's not becouse I've actually had a problem with them. It's becouse I have been told many times not to use them.

[plott hound]

thanks for the input guys.this damn sucker is nasty tight,just put it back on and i can hardly spin the axle.if i make up another chain with an extra link then it gonna be to sloppy.not sure what to do here since i know nothing about chain.will a singing tight chain stretch before it does any damage?these chains are all tsubaki brand.

thanks again.

[Paquette]

I believe tsubaki are pre stretched. If you check the parts manual it'll tell you exactly how many pins the chain should have including the two in the master link.

I have some extra double 40 if you need some for your idlers.

[Roger S]

You can loosen the axle or idler shaft and let them move a fraction.. otherwise I'd say you are fortunate to have snug chains on the front. I'd lube it and drive it.

[racerone3]

you could throw in a half link and run the machine for about an hour. you will get some initial stretch with ANY chain. once it loosens up a bit you can pull the half link and be good to go. a half link is bad to use when your chains are stretched/ worn and you use one to take out the slack. in that case the chain is stretched so far that the pitch of the chain no longer matches the pitch of the sprocket. people will remove a link, throw in a half link and keep running it like that. that is where you will get into killing sprockets. i keep a few half links around for the scenario that you are describing. i had to use one in my wife's max a few weeks ago when i put new chain in it. after about 20 min of run time the half link was back in the toolbox where it belongs

[Roger S]

Since there's no adjustment on the chain, I would think a 1/2 link would give it enough slack to jump the small sprocket.

[plott hound]

"You can loosen the axle or idler shaft and let them move a fraction.. otherwise I'd say you are fortunate to have snug chains on the front. I'd lube it and drive it."

this why i love this place,everyone is so helpfull and knowledagble.i did as roger suggested and loosened the nuts on idler and front axle,damn link slipped right in like jack the bear.

thanks guys.

[moose man]

hey bud have the same problem on my argo put new sprokets and chains and those front chains are so tight have harde time turning the wheels but im going to try them like that because they will strech and if too long will touch the tube like you know alredy.Leaving moose hunting this weekend will let you know how i make out with chains

[plott hound]

if your the slightest bit worried about it,do as roger suggests.makes a huge difference.good luck hunting bud,dont shoot any big old ones just nice tender young'uns.

[lewis]

I also agree with Race, i don't know of any chain that will not stretch on initial use. In this case a half link will work as Race said. I would never use a half link on worn out chain.