American-made Grade 70 Chain & Binders???

[Dougster]

I've spent the last few days going through the archives and active posts on the subject of tractor and implement tiedowns. It's now painfully clear that I need to upgrade from my heavy-duty nylon straps to 3/8 inch Grade 70 chain and binders. It's also clear that the consensus of this forum is that I should use American-made chain and binders. This is not a hard pill for me to swallow since I am a big "Buy American" guy and am prepared to pay more for top quality. The problem is that I can't find any American-made 3/8 inch Grade 70 chain... and American-made binders rated for same... anywhere! Everyone says to buy from AWDirect... but I don't see anywhere where it says their chain... and, even more importantly, the binders... are made in America.

Meanwhile, I have tried all the usual suspects... Home Depot, Lowes, Tractor Supply, several local hardware & trucking supply places, etc. Some have American-made chain, but only Grade 43... or sometimes Grade 70, but only up to 5/16 inch. And *ALL* of the binders are made in China. All of them! And get this: Some of the Chinese chain is clearly marked "China"... but some is not! So how will I know for sure that what I buy on-line (or not in a sealed, marked barrel) is really American?

Another odd thing: Chinese or American-made Grade 70 chain is supposed to be marked 7 or 70 or 700... but none I've found is! What gives with that? According to Federal guidelines, all unmarked chain is assumed to be Grade 30... meaning that I would *STILL* be illegal using unmarked Grade 70 chains. Help again!!!

Lastly, why am I seeing as many as three different WLL ratings for what supposedly qualifies as 3/8 inch Grade 70 chain? Shouldn't it all be the same? Anyone else running into that little mystery?

Dougster

 

[JESSE1]

If anyone will have American Made chain and load binders it will be a heavy duty truck supply store. Do a search for Crosby Lebus Load Binders and you'll come up with several hits. These binders are made in Longview, Texas and are as good as you can get. I have some that are probably 30 yrs old and as good as new. You may have to order online from someone but it would be worth it. The same may apply for quality chain.

 

[goneandbrokeit]

AW Direct Towing Recovery Service Vehicle and Wrecker Accessories - 1-800-243-3194

 

[Dougster]

If anyone will have American Made chain and load binders it will be a heavy duty truck supply store. Do a search for Crosby Lebus Load Binders and you'll come up with several hits. These binders are made in Longview, Texas and are as good as you can get. I have some that are probably 30 yrs old and as good as new. You may have to order online from someone but it would be worth it. The same may apply for quality chain.

Thanks very much for the brand name. Time to get on the phone and find out if there is a local dealer or distributor. Couldn't find one Googling.

Sadly, I have already tried the biggest truck supply folks in my area... with whom I have had very good luck on other things... with surprisingly poor results. That's what I get for living in Taxachusetts. It's so discouraging. Everything I found around here was made in China... and I'm hesitant to buy on-line unless I can verify with certainty the "Made in USA" pedigree. As mentioned earlier, it ain't easy.

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

AW Direct Towing Recovery Service Vehicle and Wrecker Accessories - 1-800-243-3194

While I see certain items specifically marked "Made in USA"... I do not see that on their Grade 70 chain or binders. Or am I missing something?

In my experience, if it doesn't say "Made in USA"... 99.9% chance it's Chinese.

Call me skeptical... but I've been zinged too many times before to go on wishes or blind faith.

Dougster

 

[rdln]

binder 1

Load Binder — 3/8in. |Load Binders | Northern Tool + Equipment

binder 2

Durabilt Ratchet Load Binder — 5400-Lb. Capacity |Load Binders | Northern Tool + Equipment

chain

Peerless Binder Chain — 5400-Lb. Capacity, 3/8in. X 16ft. |Load Binders | Northern Tool + Equipment

more

Underlift Ratchet Load Binder — 6600-Lb. Capacity |Load Binders | Northern Tool + Equipment

just keep looking there.

my local napa carries the good stuff also

 

[jcotta]

I bought grade 70 chain at Grainger. You need a business card to open an account. Try Grainger.com. I attached pdf of binders page.

John

 

[Dougster]

binder 1

Load Binder — 3/8in. |Load Binders | Northern Tool + Equipment

binder 2

Durabilt Ratchet Load Binder — 5400-Lb. Capacity |Load Binders | Northern Tool + Equipment

chain

Peerless Binder Chain — 5400-Lb. Capacity, 3/8in. X 16ft. |Load Binders | Northern Tool + Equipment

more

Underlift Ratchet Load Binder — 6600-Lb. Capacity |Load Binders | Northern Tool + Equipment

just keep looking there.

my local napa carries the good stuff also

Thanks for the reply. Not trying to be a jerk here (although it's entirely possible that I am one) but this chain is Grade 43 (illegal for me) and the binders are all made for 3/8 inch Grade 43 chain or 5/16 inch Grade 70 chain (too low a WLL for me). They are not made to be used with 3/8 inch Grade 70 chain (the minimum for my application).

In other words, you are finding exactly the same thing that I am finding... namely very little availability of American-made 3/8 inch Grade 70 chain and binders rated for same.

Dougster

 

[Oleozz]

I ran into the same problem, I was ready to buy Grade 70 3/8 inch chain at Tractor Supply until I saw a China tag on it. Lots of it on ebay but they never say if it's American made. Harbor Freight has some at good prices but still unsure of where it's made.

 

[pekabu]

I bought some 5/16 chain from Chappel Tractor. They have a place in Milford NH, not sure how far that is from you. I just checked and my chain does say L7 on some links, not all. Also, the Hooks say G70. I have no clue where it came from.

I also bought some ratchet chain binders there. They say china unfortunatley.

Chappell sells a lot of chains and heavy equipment (at least out of the Brentwood office) so I am sure the quality is up to snuff.