Freaking cool, but maybe a slight projectile hazard?
And rough on the pavement
Possibly the opposite if they can be dis-engaged easily on sections without snow, where drivers would otherwise keep chains on
Automatic snow tires throw chains at your wheels [video]
11–20 of 135 posts
Re: Automatic snow tires throw chains at your wheels [video]
#12They look like they would improve traction while moving, but when braking I could see the chains slipping out from under the tires letting the vehicle slide. Not fun on icy roads.
Seems like a great solution for light snow/mild ice but I would not want to trust my life to these in harsh conditions.
Re: Automatic snow tires throw chains at your wheels [video]
#13They look like they would improve traction while moving, but when braking I could see the chains slipping out from under the tires letting the vehicle slide. Not fun on icy roads. Seems like a great solution for light snow/mild ice but I would not want to trust my life to these in harsh conditions.
A school-bus or box truck that will basically get stuck everywhere if it doesn't have something under the driven axle. Braking is not what's limiting the conditions these vehicles can work in. Getting stuck because you stopped at a red light on a slight hill is more their problem which is what these chains solve.
Re: Automatic snow tires throw chains at your wheels [video]
#14Freaking cool, but maybe a slight projectile hazard?
And likely beat the crap out of your undercarriage.
Re: Automatic snow tires throw chains at your wheels [video]
#15They look like they would improve traction while moving, but when braking I could see the chains slipping out from under the tires letting the vehicle slide. Not fun on icy roads. Seems like a great solution for light snow/mild ice but I would not want to trust my life to these in harsh conditions.
A school-bus or box truck that will basically get stuck everywhere if it doesn't have something under the driven axle. Braking is not what's limiting the conditions these vehicles can work in. Getting stuck because you stopped at a red light on a slight hill is more their problem which is what these chains solve.
Giving drivers a sense of control that doesn't match up with how the vehicle performs in braking looks like a pretty big design flaw to me.
Re: Automatic snow tires throw chains at your wheels [video]
#16These have been common in North America for large trucks operating in snowy places for decades - school buses, dump trucks, etc.
Handy because you don't have to stop/get out/interrupt service - just flip a switch and you've got improved traction!
Re: Automatic snow tires throw chains at your wheels [video]
#17Earlier quoted context omitted.
A school-bus or box truck that will basically get stuck everywhere if it doesn't have something under the driven axle. Braking is not what's limiting the conditions these vehicles can work in. Getting stuck because you stopped at a red light on a slight hill is more their problem which is what these chains solve.
Giving drivers a sense of control that doesn't match up with how the vehicle performs in braking looks like a pretty big design flaw to me.
These have been around for decades. Additionally, a lot of “braking” with these bigger trucks is “engine braking” like jake brakes, compression release, exhaust release, etc.
Can slow a lot by “simply” letting the jake engage.
We use them on our fire trucks, engines, tankers, etc, here in New England. Some of these apparatus way upwards of 30ton.
Re: Automatic snow tires throw chains at your wheels [video]
#18Earlier quoted context omitted.
A school-bus or box truck that will basically get stuck everywhere if it doesn't have something under the driven axle. Braking is not what's limiting the conditions these vehicles can work in. Getting stuck because you stopped at a red light on a slight hill is more their problem which is what these chains solve.
Giving drivers a sense of control that doesn't match up with how the vehicle performs in braking looks like a pretty big design flaw to me.
A two-wheel drive vehicle with an open differential is limited in acceleration by only one wheel (the drive wheel with the least traction). However, braking is always the combined effect of all wheels.
Re: Automatic snow tires throw chains at your wheels [video]
#19Do they make them for motorcyles?
This is the content I am looking for in 2023.
Re: Automatic snow tires throw chains at your wheels [video]
#20These have been around since at least the 70s. https://www.onspot.com/en-US/about-onspot---about-us/
patented on 1915, filed for patent at 1912