Log chain - HF vs. TSC

[Baby Grand]

At last the mans question got a real answer. Good Going.:thumbsup::thumbsup:
...

Everyone working a tractor should have an assortment of chains, size & length.

... and consider ropes for jobs that don't demand chain strength. It weighs a lot less for a given length and is more flexible in terms of what you can do with it. I always keep 2 16' 1/2? ropes on the tractor - 1 wrapped around each fender grip. Just last week I used them to hold a length of 8" pipe in the air from my FEL so I could weld a slip collar on one end in a comfortable, standing position. Since it doesn't conduct, I didn't have to worry about frying the electronics of the tractor.

 

[wny770]

I once had a cheap "made in china" chain snap and come through the cab. breaking glass and missing my melon by about 6 inches. Up to you, but "made in USA" is better quality.

 

[b737drvr]

Thanks again for all the replies. Where's the best (cheapest) place to get made in the USA chain?

 

[Darren]

I don't think it is the cheapest but AW Direct carries chain and equipment used by towing companies. I won't use Chinese chain. As one poster mentioned, if a chain breaks under load, it's a flying safety hazard. Chain is something I'll spend the money for to have peace of mind and safety.

http://www.awdirect.com/safety-recovery-chain/

 

[SandburRanch]

Im with you on the short link chain. The little extra weight is more than made up for by suppleness and far greater resistance to hook damage. I bought 2 very nice 5/16 Gr70 from HF back in the 80s and they have never shown ant sign of strain even with the Mahindra set up at 11000# on AGs. I would, however, worry about a 1/4" Gr70chain in that application. They have a min breaking strength of 12K# and I found years ago, using a pull gauge, that a tractor will pull very near its weight [+/-] with AGs on good ground. That could take the 1/4 chain past its elastic stretch point at full traction even in a gentle pull. With jerks the chain would definitely be subject to damage. Probably your NH is a little lighter, but still a real threat to the health of 1/4 chain in a full traction pull. I recently saw some of the 1/4 short link at TSC an bought them out. I really like it ... but it stays on the smaller tractors.
larry

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I'm of the opinion only a very small percentage of people have ever had a short link chain in their hands and don't realize the advantage of them.

My NH only weighs around 67 or 69 hundred. On difficult pulls I don't depend on a chain hook and tie a clove hitch.

 

[bigtiller]

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I'm of the opinion only a very small percentage of people have ever had a short link chain in their hands and don't realize the advantage of them.

My NH only weighs around 67 or 69 hundred. On difficult pulls I don't depend on a chain hook and tie a clove hitch.

I have four 6 foot long 1/4 inch short link chains that have been abused, streached and broken. I have been looking for years for a place to buy new ones. they work great for getting a good bite and pulling out small bushes and trees. And varrious projects around the shop, house and yard with the lawn mower.

 

[SandburRanch]

I have four 6 foot long 1/4 inch short link chains that have been abused, streached and broken. I have been looking for years for a place to buy new ones. they work great for getting a good bite and pulling out small bushes and trees. And varrious projects around the shop, house and yard with the lawn mower.

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You may have to check with an oil field supply and ask for spinning chain. You may get lucky even though that connection method is being phased out.

 

[LD1]

I have used short link chain. And it does seem to bite better, allthough I never really have any problems with standard chain.

But Short-link chain is NOT rated any higher than standard chain. They have the same WLL's and Breaking strengths.

And all around I do think I perfer the standard link 3/8 Gr70 chain. Main reason is that you can run a larger diameter bolt through the standard link vs the short link. Which comes in handy for all sorts of things, like hoisting engines/transmissions, etc. Peice of cake to run a 3/8" bolt through it. Try that with a 1/4" short link.

So for an all around/general purpose, I perfer the standard link. But if your ONLY use is for skidding logs, Short link is better. Just IMHO

 

[crazyal]

Thanks again for all the replies. Where's the best (cheapest) place to get made in the USA chain?

I'm not sure cheap and "made in the USA" go together when your talking about chain. I bought 3 3/8" gr70 Peerless chains for transporting equipment. Maybe other will but I'm not about to use them skidding logs. The last time I checked the local place that sells them had 20' for a little over $120.

Secondly some states require the gold color if the chains are going to be used for transporting. Dragging them through the mud quickly takes that gold color off. Don't get me wrong if you don't mind spending the money you are going to be rewarded with a quality product. But if you take it easy the ones from China will work.

 

[k0ua]

I found 5/16 grade 70 gold chain with grab hooks on both ends at the local Race Brothers store in Harrison Ar. 20 foot for $39.95 It is made in St. Louis. I though that was a bargain, so I bought one..I had been using a grade 43 chain I put hooks on myself.

James K0UA

 

[JB4310]

I'm a 3/8 G7 chain guy, but just bought a a 20 ft 5/16" grade 70 chain with G70 grab hooks from Lowe's. Rated at 4700 WL, stamped U.S.A. on each link.
Can't beat it for 35.00


Shop Campbell Commercial 5/16" x 20' Tow Hook Chain at Lowes.com

It's perfect for pulling logs, I wouldn't go trying to jerk stumps with it though. and even though it's rated plenty high enough to bind a CUT down on a trailer, I wouldn't. I still only use 3/8 G7 for securing equipment over the road.

JB.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I live in a simpler world. I have abou 6-7 utility chains of different sizes. 1 was bought at Lowe's,1 at harbor Freight, the rest were picked up at flea markets. The only times I have ever broken a chain, I was giving it the business or using too small a chain. I do have some transport chains that cost some cash, but they are required by law to tie down heavy equipment.

 

[boggen]

90% of ropes to chains breaking has been to "jerking" at least for me.

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prefer chains i can run bolts through them. many times being able to run a couple bolts through a chain to tie things down. wrap around a couple extra logs. etc... has made life easier.

if i can use a couple bolts, i might be able to fix a chain that has broken.

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on other hand. there has been a few cases were having shorter links were i could not fit a bolt through the links. would have been better. when hooking the chain back onto itself, for a tighter hooking / less sloop would have been better and easier. vs relying back on bolt through the links.

shorter length links. tend to allow smaller "bending radius" to wrap around tree trunks / branches. or perhaps around an implement or something on a trailer. so there is less sloop that needs to be removed via a chain binder.

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it is a 50/50 deal for me. regardless, having a heavy duty chain. with a higher breaking strength, load strength. has been needed more of the times and been much more useful. vs a cheaper low grade chain.

the times lower grade or smaller size chains have been used for me. is when i end up breaking them. exception for chaining / roping some light weight stuff down in back of a pickup truck or on a trailer. and then i find having straps work better. due to most of the time. i do not want to dent, or bang the paint off of stuff.

other uses for smaller size chains, have been for gates and using a paddle lock.

i will tend to buy cable before rope and chain. when needing to pull trees / limbs up and out of wooded area were tractor can not get to. and in that i can use a pulley if need be with a cable.

 

[wolc123]

For most general use, including skidding logs, I prefer high-strength 1/4" chains due to their lighter weight and ease of handling. I have never broken one of these. There is no way I would lug around a 3/8 chain for that type usage. The one time I did break a chain, it was a 3/8" (not in the best condition), and was using along with a double-pull, 1/2" cable and pulley setup to yank my nieghbor's Chevy Suburban "field-car" out of a mud bog with my 4wd, JD 4120. Each time I released the clutch, and took the slack out of the cable, I could move the suburban about 6" thru the mud which was up over its floorboards. I have a bunch of 1/2" cables, in various lengths that are real handy in cases like this where you can use a pulley attached to a tree to double your tractor's pull strength. I do use 3/8" for binding equipment to trailers however but those chains stay on the trailer and dont get lugged around the woods too often. It definitely pays to have an assortment of chains so that you can use the best one for every job. Most of mine have came from auctions, garage sales, or flea-markets. My favorite is a high-strength, 14 ft, 1/4", and there is always one in my tractor's tool-box.

 

[JB4310]

As mentioned I just got my first piece of 5/16" chain, always used 3/8",
Don't think I could go down to 1/4", that seems to small. I have a couple of short pcs but rarely ever use them, maybe good for lawn tractor work.

If you are gonna buy chain, might as well get G70 IMO. That 5/16 20 footer from Lowe's is light enough to handle easily. 20 ft of 3/8 is pretty heavy.

Interestingly, when you go up to grade 80 the chain gets lighter, they call it alloy, not sure what percentage is alloy, but it is noticeably lighter.

JB.

 

[SPYDERLK]

For most general use, including skidding logs, I prefer high-strength 1/4" chains due to their lighter weight and ease of handling. I have never broken one of these. There is no way I would lug around a 3/8 chain for that type usage.
My favorite is a high-strength, 14 ft, 1/4", and there is always one in my tractor's tool-box.

For the 4K# 4120 Im sure hi strength 1/4 is very effective. This is what we use on our Kubotas. The short link ones are slinky and pleasant handling while being quite rugged and trouble free. Hi strength rated chains for lifting seem to be made using short link construction. My 5/16 SL chain stays on the 11K+ Mahindra. I use hi strength 5/16 bolts for incidental joining either chain when necessary. For joining end to end to extend a chain a 3/8 - or even 7/16 bolt will fit.
larry

 

[ABULL4U]

Anyone know the working load limit of 9/32" H800 chain with Clevlock ends?
Thats what I use. Two 5 footers and a 10 footer.

 

[SPYDERLK]

As mentioned I just got my first piece of 5/16" chain, always used 3/8",
Don't think I could go down to 1/4", that seems to small. I have a couple of short pcs but rarely ever use them, maybe good for lawn tractor work.
JB.

They dont seem to make hi strength chain small enuf for lawn tractor work. 7/32 Gr80 would be huge overkill. 3/16 if available would be quite adequate, but both would be totally incompatible in a mixed tractor "family". 1/4" minimum for us.
larry

 

[SPYDERLK]

Anyone know the working load limit of 9/32" H800 chain with Clevlock ends?
Thats what I use. Two 5 footers and a 10 footer.

9/32 GR80 is 3500# ... H800 :confused3:
larry

 

[Bill Hoffman]

I'm sure some of you will call this ridiculous, however,
an old farmer near me said that he makes a nick in his chains
with a triangular file on the link nearest his tractor. When I
asked him why, he said that if he is going to run the risk of
breaking a chain, he didn't want a long loop taking his head
off, so he put in a sacrificial link.

I guess whatever floats your boat.

Bill