Chain and Chain binders - best place to get or make my own?

[powerscol]

I have done a lot of searches here, but cant find all of what I need so far.
Its time for me to upgrade my chain and binders form the cam-lock to the ratchet style with the folding handle that I have seen. I know I need grade 70 or better (I have a mix now) and I believe I can use 5/16, ver 3/8 per this site Working Load Limits of Chain. I am hauling a Bobcat tractor 3600lbs and a Hesston 4550 baler - not sure the weight, but lets say 3000 lbs, Colorado DOT indicates I need 6 chains - 3 per side if hooked up to the baler, or 8 if unhooked (2 front and rear of each piece of equipment crossed on the deck if I understood correctly). Also I am getting a bit older, so weight is sometimes a factor hauling chain around for me, also arm strength which is whay I need to get new binders, and yes I have a cheater pipe for the cam lock ones, but got a nasty surprise the other day undoing one.

In reading up on posts I have questions.
Is it worth the money to go a higher grade of chain other than 70? I may have other uses such as towing or lifting with my loader.
Are all grade 70 chains equal as far as not rusting. What coating should I look for.
Are all grade 70 hooks created equal? I am finding various shapes and some with clips. Neighbor always uses clevises (C type with the screw in pin) to secure excess chain and as a safety measure. Good Idea or overkill?
Chain binders - what are good brands that have the folding handle. If I go with the 5/16 chain, can I use the binders sized for 3/8", or if I get the 5/6 size can I use 3/8 chain? I guess I could have replaceable hooks for the ends to change chain size.

I see lots of chain and binder sets, but they dont list the sources of all the parts. Would it be better (less expensive, better quality) to assemble my own with quality parts? I would only use 6 to 12 times a year.

Last - good sources for materials or sets that have fair prices. I know not to go to Harbor Freight for this. Local equipment dealers have them but pretty pricey.

Thanks for any help - :thumbsup:

 

[George2615]

Home Depot has 20' grade 70 chain with grab hook on each end. I cut them in half and buy extra grab hooks to make 2 - 10'ers out of each.
Crown Bolt 5/16 in. x 2 ft. Grade 7 Yellow-Zinc Steel Tow Chain-64551 - The Home Depot
HF sells 20' grade 70 chain also for a few bucks less.
AW Direct sells binder and chain too but prices are higher.
Transport Chains | AW Direct


Many places have Peerless folding handle binders. These do 5/16 & 3/8" chain. If you shop online I've seen slight discounts for buying 6 or more binders. (Maybe an extra buck or 2 less)
Peerless Folding Handle QuikBinder Plus Ratchet Binder - G7 Chains & Binders - Cargo Control

Grade 70 is grade 70. If it says grade 70 they meet the specs.
I like Peerless brand and mostly 5/16" chain. I have 3/8" chain also but the 5/16 meets my needs and is lighter. I see no need to go higher than grade 70 mainly due to the extra cost. If I was an OTR trucker I'd use a higher grade.

 

[mikesee]

May want to double check what Colorado DOT requires as there is a difference between items that weigh less than 10,000 pounds and items that weigh more than 10k pounds according to the Federal Guidelines What you are describing sounds like securement for items over 10k. According to federal guidelines the tractor would require 2 chains (5/16) front and back that attach to both sides of the trailer. The attachment should require one more chain. As if you were transporting a car. If the item is over 10k then 3/8 inch chains are required.

 

[powerscol]

Thanks - that was over the phone. They indicated 4 attachment points for each piece of equipment, but indicated if the baler was attached I could just use the 3 sets. I am not commercial as a farmer in Colorado. We do get a lot of check stations around here. I dont need to stop, but once in a while they want me to pull in with the goose neck attached to the dully. Last year I was stopped for a loose strap (it was actually the excess flapping around) on my first use of the trailer. Officer was very nice and helped me correct the situation and made the ratchet binder suggestion over the straps (TSC brand) I was using. I think he also wanted to see the new PJ trailer as he sure looked around a bit and asked questions. He was surprised at the GVWR rating and I explained I had it down graded from the 14K to keep from exceeding the 26000 combined GVWR for needing a CDL.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Truckntow.com has a free shipping special every month or so...

 

[powerscol]

Truckntow.com has a free shipping special every month or so...

They do have some great pricing. Thanks

Now what may seem as a dumb question. My deck is 102" wide. If tractor sits in center thats is a little over 4' to each side, so if I tie at and angle that's roughly 6'. What length should I get. I can get the longer sets and cut and add hooks cheaper than bulk and hooks. I was thinking of going for 10'. Am I thinking correctly or am I going too long?
Thoughts? What lengths are you folks using?

Thanks

 

[bdog]

I buy 20' chains and two extra hooks and cut them in half. Even if the law allows for two chains on an under 10k machine I always use four. It isn't that much more work and is a lot more secure. Heck I use four tie downs on our UTV's. Never had anything come lose and am not going to either.

 

[mikesee]

For less than 10,000 pounds one chain attached to the stake pockets across the trailer counts as 2 attachment points.

If you are going to go with 4 chains to your tractor and you are cutting the chains you may want to consider clevis slip hooks on the cut end to attach to the tractor if your tractor has such tie down points.

You are smart to de-rate the trailer

 

[powerscol]

For less than 10,000 pounds one chain attached to the stake pockets across the trailer counts as 2 attachment points.

If you are going to go with 4 chains to your tractor and you are cutting the chains you may want to consider clevis slip hooks on the cut end to attach to the tractor if your tractor has such tie down points.

You are smart to de-rate the trailer

By clevis slip hook, are you talking about the ones that can easily be moved using the pin connection? Are the ones with the spring hook better?

Also in Colorado, using one chain across the front or back of the tractor, doesn't not count a two attachment points. If it comes undone you loose both connections. The officer that stopped me for the flapping strap explained what is required, that each attachment needs to be separate for safety. I had one strap looped through and around the bucket hooks tied to the other side. He suggested re-doing it to use two straps for safety reasons. Now if it is just across the load, like lumber tie down, one does work. Its just what I was told locally, so it might not be the law so to speak.

Just my thoughts here, but I am a little **** on safety coming from the engineering/construction side. Seen some bad accidents that might not have happened if folks were not in such a rush.

 

[bdog]

This is a clevis slip hook. It is designed to be hooked on to an attachment point on the tractor not grab a chain link. Redirect Notice

Or you can get one with a safety latch but they are sometimes difficult to get to slip over a large tie down point.
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These are opposed to a normal grab hook which is meant to grab directly on a chain link Redirect Notice