Automatic Tire Chains... Anyone else seen this?

Yes, they are legal. Lots of fire departments use them.

 

They are popular on school buses also.

 

I was going to drive for a guy that has them.are they much more expensive then the normal chains?

 

Ya and they don't work so great in deep (wet/heavy) snow .......

 

They've been around a long time. I think BC won't let you use them in place of regular chains on the highway. You really have to keep your speed down to keep them from flying off. But still, handy to have to get you out of places.

 

Starting at $1700, I think I would keep the regular chains. It would take a few years and absolutely no maintenance for it to pay for itself.

 

I`ve had on-spot for about ten years. I have them on three trucks. They are legal for use anywhere in North America.
They are classified as a single
You need to read the owner`s manual and follow their guidelines as to use and maintenance.
They work very well when used properly. You need to engage them before you are stuck because the arms
will not move through mud or heavy wet snow. They will not replace a set of triples if that`s what you need for your haul. They are best on ice.
They work and we use them quite often. Slick on ramp, black ice on hill, icy loading dock, if you are under 60 Km per hour, flick the switch and gone.
They will grenade if you forget to turn them off, after you reach highway speed. That has happened on two units, one had a burnt out light on the switch to show when engaged and the other hooked a rail on a bridge and one arm did not release .
Even with the initial cost and the up keep , they are well worth it, tow bills, clutches, drive lines, tires and lost time add up very quick and if you can lower these costs with these chains, it`s all good.

 

See them on lots of yard jockeys , and emergency equipment .