A nice tight chain to pull posts

[jimpen]

I have a nice little Mahindra Max25. I have an FEL and backhoe to do this.

The former owner used railroad ties for fence posts (about 6x10") driven to various depths. I want to get rid of them all. (Somewhere over 50 of them.) So I'm looking for a good chain to do it with. I've tried using straps to do this in the past and currently. They are <expletives deleted> totally worthless.

My neighbor has some really nice tight chains about 8' that are roughly an octagonal/hexagonal that he has used in the past. He doesn't remember where he got them. What I've seen at TSC would last about a day.

I saw the post below but I'm not seeing what I'm looking for:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...82829-where-buy-chains-binders-ratchet-3.html

 

[bcp]

If you have a rigging supply or chain dealer, they can get some square chain. It will slip less than round chain. You can buy short lengths in many stores as security chain, but often a lock is included. Four feet would go around a tie.

Rigging Products, Inc. Sales Online: 3/8" SQ CASEHARDENED SECURITY CHAIN

http://www.amazon.com/Square-Chain-Treated-Steel-Sleeve/dp/B0055WPF3A

Bruce

 

[Redneck in training]

It is true that square chains would slip less but I pulled many posts and trees with round chains. I make two loops around small post, one loop around large posts and use slip hook. Forgot what size I have. It is either 5/16 to 3/8.

 

[idaho2]

Have you tried making a figure 8 large enough to drop over the post - drop both loops together. Very little if any slippage of the chain when lifting and I use 3/8" size chain on steel posts. Cinches down nice and tight and I use a 3pt boom pole the 1000# loop - not the end tip loop 500# on my unit.

idaho2

 

[Brad_Blazer]

This might do it:
Brush Grubber Heavy-Duty Shrub/Clump Grubber, Model# BG19 | Weed Control Brush Removal| Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[jgayman]

I can second the recommendation for the Brush Grubber chain. I have one of the heavy duty ones and have used it for pulling everything... stumps, bushes, roots, rocks, etc. The V-bar cleats on the chain grabs onto most anything... even rocks. For me it has turned out to be well worth the money spent.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

Chain to go with it or just use this as suggested above. 5/16 grade 70 made in USA. If you break this with your 25hp tractor I want to see pictures.
Shop Campbell Commercial 20-ft Welded Yellow Chromate Steel Chain at Lowes.com

 

[saltbranch]

Just go with a 1/4" or a 5/16" grade 10 alloy chain, do a double choke on the post and pull it out. I use the 1/4" all the time, it has a WLL: of 4300 lbs and very easy to handle. Your tractor will not break that chain. This website has some interesting info
Kennedy Wire Rope and Sling Company

 

[Shamus M]

you can buy a chain at kmart. the maax 25 doesn't have hardly enough power to break much of any type of mooring rope let alone a chain with lifting. your loader has a lifting capacity of 900 pounds. The cheapest of chains can lift 4 times that amount

 

[jimpen]

I went out and grabbed the chain that Brad pointed at Lowe's.

But now the one I'm trying to figure out is how it only costs $36.98? I priced out the 5/16 chain at $2.88 per foot. The hooks are $4.98. That would be $67.56 to make the same thing.

I am probably going to pay for the additional hooks and cut it in half, or at least add the hooks. Twenty feet is a pain in the butt to grab a 36 inch radius pole.

 

[jimpen]

you can buy a chain at kmart. the maax 25 doesn't have hardly enough power to break much of any type of mooring rope let alone a chain with lifting. your loader has a lifting capacity of 900 pounds. The cheapest of chains can lift 4 times that amount

I've already trashed two 4000 pound load straps. Rope isn't going to cut it.

 

[CliffordK]

I don't think you would need a complex slip setup. Just loop it around a couple of times and hook the hook back into the chain. I'm betting it won't slip much. How strong is your bucket lift?

For some things, I've found that a choker cable and shackle work very well. Wrap it around a couple of times and hook it into the shackle, and pull away.

Obviously keep hands away, and stand back enough that slipping or sudden movements won't get the "helper" hurt.

 

[schmism]

Having pulled posts myself. I dont know how successful youll be trying to pull out RR ties with your small CUT. You might get a rear draw bar for your 3pt arms and try lifting with it.

I use a 1/4" chain with a slip hook. you wont come close to breaking it. 4K rachet straps are more like 500lb rachet straps.

 

[jimpen]

Having pulled posts myself. I dont know how successful youll be trying to pull out RR ties with your small CUT. You might get a rear draw bar for your 3pt arms and try lifting with it.

I use a 1/4" chain with a slip hook. you wont come close to breaking it. 4K rachet straps are more like 500lb rachet straps.

Some of it was shifting the post around with the hoe to loosen it up. But then on the 4th post the strap broke. Time to go to a chain.

 

[saltbranch]

This sling here is what the electric companies have us make for them. This what they chose to lift and set poles with

 

[BHD]

we have used chain from harbor frieght and have had good luck with it, and have much heaver loader than that,

I have a winch hoist on the side of my truck and it is rated for 1000 pounds and it is not hardly enough to pull a 4/5" post if it has set any time, we have sandy loam soils,

 

[the old grind]

Straps were never made for loads that slip or jerk suddenly, not to say that such wouldn't be hard on a chain too. Try a tight loop with a log hitch or two above when you rig up. I imagine you'd tip that tractor over before a chain broke. Gotta bump posts around a bit to loosen 'em up. If ground is wet enough that suction is a problem just drive a rebar or something in alongside the post and pull it out first to leave an air channel. Rushing the job will beat you up, and your gear too. Pace yourself, and patience will pay off.

btw: My 'pulling' chain (used with BG) is but 7' ft long and handles nicely. One day I drove out back with a 20' and wore myself out before realizing the extra work I'd gotten myself into muscling the unneeded weight. :ashamed: So much for single-minded focus. :confused2: ....:laughing:

 

[ghost68]

I'm not sure if this will work for you but might be worth a try. I found in some online thread posted by an old timer for pulling brush and smaller trees. I've been meaning to make some but haven't taken time too. Take a 2' piece of thick walled pipe that your chain with slide through and weld a clevis to the side in the middle. Then pass your chain through the pipe and hook to the clevis. That way the pipe will bite into the wood.
Ghost

 

[tcartwri]

Actually if you just loop the chain around the post a few times and have a helper hold tension on the loose end.

 

[orezok]

I've also had good luck with using my 2 ton come-a-long. Wrap the cable around the post and hook it to itself. I find that if you wrap the cable properly (figure 8 pattern), it will even pull smooth steel posts.