Chains & binders

[newbury]

If you cut your chains to 5 footers, how close will you have to be to use the tractor to pull out your truck next time you get it stuck? I prefer a little longer chain for most of my efforts, other than tying the tractor down.
David from jax

Hook it up first then cut. I give myself a foot or so of extra. It's nice to have exact length needed chains for specific purpose but it's an added expense to use connecting links to make a chain longer.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

If you cut your chains to 5 footers, how close will you have to be to use the tractor to pull out your truck next time you get it stuck? I prefer a little longer chain for most of my efforts, other than tying the tractor down.
David from jax

I never ever use my tie down chains for skidding or pulling unless emergency, have G43 log chain with grab hook one end and slip hook on the other for pulling stuff, some of the links have obvious flat spots from ground contact and I do not want the finish scrapped off.


David

 

[downsizingnow48]

I never ever use my tie down chains for skidding or pulling unless emergency, have G43 log chain with grab hook one end and slip hook on the other for pulling stuff, some of the links have obvious flat spots from ground contact and I do not want the finish scrapped off.


David

Same here. The 5/16 G70 tie down chains are in a separate place by themselves and only used for that. I have old 3/8 chain that I use for pulling and positioning.

 

[dwalk19]

I just went through this while buying/moving a tractor, the best price I found on 3/8" ratcheting chain binders were at northern tool, $23.99,, I bought 4 and returned the 2 I bought at tractor supply that were $67 a piece, my 3/8" chain I bought at home depot,

https://m.northerntool.com/products/shop~tools~product_200672341_200672341?adv=false

 

[nikerret]

If you cut your chains to 5 footers, how close will you have to be to use the tractor to pull out your truck next time you get it stuck? I prefer a little longer chain for most of my efforts, other than tying the tractor down.
David from jax

I have a tow rope, for pulling vehicles and other things. No chain for pulling. Chain doesn't give like a tow rope and is more dangerous. I have some "log chains" I can use, for miscellaneous chain tasks. Transport chain is strictly used for tying down things in transport. Remember, it's best practice to hang a dampener over any cable used to pull.

I also picked up a pair of good American made ratcheting ones with folding handles

What USA made ratchet binders with folding handles did you find? Peerless is the most popular folding handle binders I know of and they are not made in the US.

 

[4570Man]

Chains & binders

The screw type binders work well when they’re new. There’s much worse after they’ve laid in a trailer tool box and got rusty. It appears I’m outnumbered here, but I’ll take the lever style any time. You do need a pipe with them though especially on a tracked machine.

 

[Reb954]

The screw type binders work well when they豎*e new. There逞ｴ not much worse after they閾ｴe laid in a trailer tool box and got rusty. It appears I遏･ outnumbered here, but I蛟､l take the lever style any time. You do need a pipe with them though especially on a tracked machine.

I use the lever binders also. Its just like anything else, learn to use them properly.

 

[mopardude318]

I also prefer the lever binders...

 

[newbury]

Re: Chains & binders

The screw type binders work well when they’re new. There’s much worse after they’ve laid in a trailer tool box and got rusty. It appears I’m outnumbered here, but I’ll take the lever style any time. You do need a pipe with them though especially on a tracked machine.

There's a solution for the rust - apply Fluid Film BEFORE storing them.

I like to use both types - Screw type for the first ones on (usually the front), lever for the final ones on to make it squat a little.

 

[Xfaxman]

Here is a thread with good info on chain binders: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/.../348731-ratchet-chain-binders-they-all-2.html

 

[Fallon]

I have a tow rope, for pulling vehicles and other things. No chain for pulling. Chain doesn't give like a tow rope and is more dangerous. I have some "log chains" I can use, for miscellaneous chain tasks. Transport chain is strictly used for tying down things in transport. Remember, it's best practice to hang a dampener over any cable used to pull.

What USA made ratchet binders with folding handles did you find? Peerless is the most popular folding handle binders I know of and they are not made in the US.

5/16 Peerless QuikBinder Plus Ratchet Binder 7,100# WLL Chain Tow H5125-0658 Amazon.com: 5/16 Peerless QuikBinder Plus Ratchet Binder 7,1# WLL Chain Tow H5125-658: Automotive

Thought they were US made. Must have just assumed that because they were a step up from the cheap Chinese ones I got from Northern Tool & Horrible Freight.

I agree on the dedicated chains. I dont drag much stuff, but have some old junker chains I'd use to do that.

 

[LD1]

I was gonna suggest 3/8 chain....but see I am too late.

I use my chains for other purposes as well.....and dont like 5/16 chain when skidding or dragging something heavy with the MX....and certainly not my backhoe. So I try to stick to all 3/8" G70 chains in my inventory.

Regarding lever vs ratchet.......if you go ratchet keep a can of multi-purpose oil handy. WD40, PB blaster, All4, etc. Because yea....when they start to stick its a PITA tying down when one of the hooks wants to twist up the chain rather than thread into the body of the ratchet as its supposed to. So keep them well lubed.
Everytime I steal the can of lube out of my truck for something else and forget to put it back, sure as heck thats when a binder sticks. And everytime I curse it and say I and getting my lever style and pipe back down off the shelf but just havent yet. Maybe this is the year?

 

[Stimw]

I have used both binders through the years and find ratchet binders to be a PIA.
I have 6 lever binders for whatever. Always secure the lever!
5/16" chain is for your dog!
3/8" chain and larger is for equipment!
If you buy a 20'er and cut it in half then buy 2 hooks. You CAN hook 2 10'ers together.

 

[Jstpssng]

I have used both binders through the years and find ratchet binders to be a PIA.
I have 6 lever binders for whatever. Always secure the lever!
5/16" chain is for your dog!
3/8" chain and larger is for equipment!
If you buy a 20'er and cut it in half then buy 2 hooks. You CAN hook 2 10'ers together.

If you're dog is that strong, you must not worry about burglars.

 

[DK35vince]

I use the lever binders also. Its just like anything else, learn to use them properly.

You can think that. But all it takes is once.
The company I work for, our low boy operator was unloading with lever binders, just like he had done for many years and a thousand times before.
One lever binder was really tight. When releasing it caught his hand and smashed his finder between the lever and a dozer track, crushing his finger.
Weeks off work and a couple surgeries later he switched to ratchet binders and recommended I do the same.
I continued to use the lever binders.
5 years later when unloading a machine like I had done for many years and many, many hundreds of times before.
I had a really tight lever binder. I had to use a pipe to release it.
When it released it ripped the pipe out of my hand and threw the pipe into the side of my head.
An ambulance ride, an over night in the hospital, and several weeks off work with a fractured skull I also now use ratchet binders

 

[bdog]

I have used both binders through the years and find ratchet binders to be a PIA.
I have 6 lever binders for whatever. Always secure the lever!
5/16" chain is for your dog!
3/8" chain and larger is for equipment!
If you buy a 20'er and cut it in half then buy 2 hooks. You CAN hook 2 10'ers together.

I own more 3/8” chain than anything but most my equipment is large and needs it. The vast majority of members here have small equipment that is easily secured with 5/16”. Like my earlier post said four 5/16” chains can legally secure a 18,800 lb machine. How many on here have a tractor that big? And while I always recommend four chains, two 5/16” chains could legally secure a 9,400 lb tractor. I doubt many on here even have a tractor that big. Overkill on securement is always a good thing but to suggest 5/16” chain is inadequate to the audience here who primarily has compact and subcompact tractors is just not correct.

 

[coolbrze]

Bought some ratcheting binders, should I lube them up? If so, what would you recommend using?

 

[Peter 315]

Fluid film or chain oil for dirt bikes is what I use..

 

[DK35vince]

Gear oil always works best and last longest for me (like an 80w-90 or 85w-140 type oil)

 

[bdog]

I use fluid film. Really anything will work even plain old WD-40 some lubes will just last longer than others. Depending on where you drive dirt and dust collecting on them may be a problem. Ours frequently get gunked up and we just take a can of lube and spray them when using them to free them up. They are a major hassle when they get rusty or dirty as the mechanism won't want to turn and they will try to twist the chain instead. You will know right away when they need lube. It is not a big deal or hassle though. We have over 20 ratchet binders that get used frequently and I wouldn't even think of going back to levers.