Snow chains

At this time, most people in rural Northern regions wouldn't bother driving automobiles in the winter at all, since roads were usually rolled for use with horse-drawn sleighs, rather than plowed.

[4] In January 1923, American inventor Oscar E. Brown obtained U.S. patent 1,440,580 for his “Nonskid Attachment for Vehicle Tires”.

[5] In July 1935, the Canadian Auguste Trudeau obtained a patent for his tread and anti-skidding chain.

[6] In snowy conditions, transportation authorities may require that snow chains or other traction aids be installed on vehicles, or at least supplied for them.

In case of running wheel loaders, it is recommended to use special protection chains due to intense pressure on tires during work.

Additionally, the correct Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) class of snow chains must be installed, based on the wheel clearance of the vehicle.

The SAE Class "S" well clearance is a common requirement on newer cars, especially if after-market wider, low-profile, or larger tires and/or wheels are fitted.

The classes are defined as follows:[8] Tire chains are available in a variety of types that have different advantages of cost, ride smoothness, traction, durability, ease of installation, and recommended travel speed.

Materials include steel (in the form of links or cables), polyurethane, rubber, and fabric.

Wheel tracks are heavy duty assemblies similar to chains but with rigid cross links such as sometimes used on logging equipment.