Buying Chain

jay_ch28 · Feb 3, 2004

I have a TC40D
1800lb Lift Capacity
Breakout Force??
Towing??

What size/grade chain is enough?
Where can you get the best deal on chain?
How bad is shipping on chain purchased online?

AndyMA · Feb 3, 2004

I'd use Grade 70 5/16" chain. Grade 70 meets transport requirements and the 5/16 is plenty strong for your machine. I've been using this size for years with my 2120 which is a little larger than the TC45. I buy mine from my local dealer as it is pretty heavy to ship and he buys it in bulk which cuts shipping costs.

Andy

PineRidge · Feb 3, 2004

Jay I have never purchased chain on line I get mine from my local Harbor Freight. I normally get lengths of the grade 70 with grab hooks on both ends. It has never let me down yet. If you are not already on the Harbor Freight mailing list you should join. They will bombard you with all kinds of tool catalogs. A guy can never have too much reading material laying around. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Harbor Freight click here

jay_ch28 · Feb 3, 2004

You live near a Harbor Freight? I am registered there, but must get everything mail ordered.

AndyM · Feb 3, 2004

Hey Pine Ridge,
I used to go to that Harbor Freight store on Manchester Road when I lived over there. It's like a toy store for men!
It didn't take me long to find one out here in the Austintown Plaza when we moved out here last year. Sure, there's a lot of cheap Chinese stuff, but there some good quality stuff there too, and at good prices.

Northern Tool has a huge catalog of stuff I'd love to have. They now have 44 stores in 10 states. When are they coming to Ohio already?!? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

slowrev · Feb 3, 2004

I recently bought 20 FT with hooks of 5/16 chain for a bit over 30 dollars.

slowrev · Feb 3, 2004

oops. At Slowes err Lowes.

tomnky · Feb 3, 2004

Was that Chinese Chain ?
1st Chain Supply

I have debated ordering from the aforementioned place.

NIXON · Feb 3, 2004

I recently got two 16' 3/8's grade 70 chains at my local feed mill . I noticed them sittng in a box , asked the salesman how much . He said $19.00 each . I about broke my arm getting out the wallet ! It's not often I find a good deal /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif John

PineRidge · Feb 3, 2004

<font color="blue"> I used to go to that Harbor Freight store on Manchester Road when I lived over there. It's like a toy store for men!
It didn't take me long to find one out here in the Austintown Plaza when we moved out here last year. Sure, there's a lot of cheap Chinese stuff, but there some good quality stuff there too, and at good prices.
</font>

AndyM The Harbor Freight on Manchester is in my back yard so to speak. Whenever they have a worthwhile sale, which is about every other week, I visit them to say hello. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

SPIKER · Feb 3, 2004

hey guys:

I hit the store up at austin plaza myself! small world! I watch the store specials and buy the 3/8" x 16 usually in store for 14.99 the 5/16 x 20 always seems to be out of stock!? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif but it is on-sale price usually for 16.99 I think or there abouts, but my luck is I go there on last day of sale.... I tell ya it's hard to leave there with less than a
C-note burnt up on some sort of tooling or machine! lol...

last time I went I was after one thing and low & behold they had some killer in-store specials, ended up buying a air nailer and nails with a few other goodies and all I needed was a replacement 10" air castor for my finish mower! (the cheap 10" ones for the shop carts ar pretty bad and only have the single bearing hub, the castors which cost 9~16.00 have the good bearings and dual hubs with higher weight, all of which bolts right onto my finish mower.)

anyhow I'm thinking of making a stop there thursday... I'm working over in canton and driving up 224 to 77, right past it almost! lol.

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

slowrev · Feb 3, 2004

Yes I believe it was chinese chain. That is why I bought a size bigger than I really needed. I have used it pretty hard and no problems. Theoretically it has the meet the proper specs to be sold with those specs printed on it.

rdln · Feb 3, 2004

Well, you can't buy good chain at TSC anymore, now they have that Koch crap just like quality had. $%$YTW$U%!^#U%^%*

bradheiter · Feb 3, 2004

I have bought chain from Harbor Freight and Fleet Farm (a local farm store, they have a chain of stores) I am happy with both chains. Both are 5/16 grade 70 and recently I had them both hooked together pulling down some pine trees (I used my backhoe to loosen up the roots) and the Harbor Freight chain broke, the Fleet Farm chain did not. Fleet Farm chain was USA made and cost (as best I recall) 31.99 and the Harbor Freight chain made in China cost $16.99. You do get what you pay for AND as long as you know that and use it accordingly....
Brad
Oh, I have a Branson 3045 and it didn't break either chain (spun all four wheels in sandy soil) and it also couldn't pull the biggest pine tree over.....so I asked a friend with a 4 wheel drive John Deere with duals to help. (not sure the model but it dwarfs mine) He broke my chain and then pulled the tree over with his chain, I'm not sure the size but it was heavy, he said old logging chain for what that is worth.

PineRidge · Feb 3, 2004

<font color="blue">I hit the store up at austin plaza myself! small world! I watch the store specials and buy the 3/8" x 16 usually in store for 14.99 the 5/16 x 20 always seems to be out of stock!? but it is on-sale price usually for 16.99 I think or there abouts, but my luck is I go there on last day of sale.... I tell ya it's hard to leave there with less than a
C-note burnt up on some sort of tooling or machine! lol...
</font>

Spiker I'm sure that why Harbor Freight sells some items so low. Leaders get you and I in the store. The rest of the toys seem to always sell themselves. I also have to watch my spending habits in that candy store. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

19th_VA · Feb 4, 2004

awdirect is a good source for chain. High quality and cheaper than buying locally, even with shipping. also have parts you won't find easily. web site

tomnky · Feb 4, 2004

I just wondered how they held up as I need a couple of chains and ratchet binders Myself.I checked on them at a local hardware store for American made chain and to be quite frank : The price was obscene at what they wanted, Over $4.00 a foot /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Dave___in___CT · Feb 4, 2004

AWDIRECT...

I've ordered from them a few times... fair prices... excellent to deal with... fast shipping... well packaged...

You can get their catalog too...

Dave...