Chain storage options

SkyPup · Oct 5, 2005

I, as a rule, do not walk under a raised FEL for anything. That photo was just to take a photo of the welding reinforcement I did to the brush guard. When I want to use the chain, I step over the lowered FEL and unwrap the chain. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

billbill1 · Oct 5, 2005

I made this out of 4" stainless steel tubing but it could be easily made out of a piece of PVC with a cap for the end. Be sure to drill some holes for drainage. I use one for a thermos and the other one is for my chain.

IslandTractor · Oct 5, 2005

( I, as a rule, do not walk under a raised FEL for anything. ....I step over the lowered FEL and unwrap the chain. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )

Understood. However, I think maybe your chain is shorter than mine. I looked at my roughly 18inch wide brush guard and considered the number of wraps necessary for a 20 foot 5/16th chain and decided it would likely hit or interfere with either the radiator opening or the FEL or both so I didn't actually try it. I was wondering about a smaller chain but then found the 20 foot length quite useful to wrap around brush and also to "reach" into brush to capture a stump. I am considering cutting 3 or 4 feet off but that would not make the brush guard option a clear winner. I think I will keep looking but appreciate your solution works for many.

Ed

IslandTractor · Oct 5, 2005

( I made this out of 4" stainless steel tubing )

This looks more like something I could do with tools and skills on hand. Steve's option sure looks nice though...

Where did you find 4" stainless steel tubing??

Thanks

Ed

Steve_Miller · Oct 5, 2005

Here's another view, it doesn't show how it is fastened but the back piece is teflon type material with a slot in it and it drops down over the bolt that clamps the bracket on you see. Before I put this bracket on it just slipped over the FEL bracket. It's just sitting there and weight keeps it on. I have two lengths of chain about 10' apiece in the box.

Steve

IslandTractor · Oct 5, 2005

Nice. Wish I had taken more shop classes back in high school. I don't think I could fabricate anything close to what you have done. The idea of attaching some container to the FEL bracket is great so I will pursue that thought.

KiotiJohn · Oct 6, 2005

Since I don't always need the chain, I simply carry it to the site in the backhoe bucket, or in the FEL bucket. If I thought I needed it all the time, I'd probably build a box such as Steve has.
John

billbill1 · Oct 6, 2005

The tubing was actually an old chain bucket off of an electric chain hoist that was taken out of service at work, I cut it into three pieces and put ends on each piece. Steve's holder looks to be 4" tubing and that works well too. I've also made them out of channel iron and welded the open side of the channel together. Leave one end shorter to give a mounting area on the longer piece. I mentioned PVC because you could make it in 5 minutes and have it mounted by drilling holes and adding bolts. anything could be painted to match the tractor.

IslandTractor · Oct 6, 2005

Thanks, I think the 4" PVC pipe option is currently the leading candidate.

Ed

SkyPup · Oct 6, 2005

The PVC pipe with a cap on it to keep water and debris out is a great idea, easy to spray some WD-40 in and put the top on and not worry about it until you need it again.

BTW, I actually have 40 feet of 3/8" Grade 80 7,200 pound test chain (weighs 1.5 pounds per foot) wrapped around the brush guard in two sections which I can easily bind together with a linker if needed.