greif
Silver Member
What grade of chain is best for logging/towing/pulling etc?
Thanks
Thanks
logging/towing chain grade
- Thread starter greif
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CalG
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logging? 3/8ths high strength can lift most any log and tip over any tractor
towing/pulling? something bigger to take abuse
I've got some good sized links that are all pulled long and skinny from working on roots stuck in the ground.
towing/pulling? something bigger to take abuse
I've got some good sized links that are all pulled long and skinny from working on roots stuck in the ground.
arrow
Super Member
I've logged professionally and as a home owner. As a professional, I almost never saw chains. Mostly wire cable chokers and such. As a homeowner, I've used 1/4" chain pulling almost 2000Lb logs for the last 30 years or so. Admittedly a bit light. Should probably move up to 5/16's. This was a "standard" grade chain btw.
Rayster
Silver Member
Good recovery straps with looped ends and clevis rings are easier for me to deal with. Also easier to see if out in the woods or the mud.
vtsnowedin
Elite Member
It is nice to have a couple of different length and size chains so you can choose what is handiest for the job. MY 10 foot grade 70 1/4 inch chain gets a lot of use as it's easy to use and carry around. Then there is a 20 foot 3/8 grade 60 for when a longer reach and heavy pull is needed. And another 3/8 chain about 15 ft. long to get just that much further out. I keep looking at yard sales for used quarry chains that have been taken out of service. They are often grade 100 and pretty much unbreakable in tractor use. The ideal find would be 20 feet of 1/4" grade 100 chain.
Patrickdozer
Member
Id probably say grade 43 High test. Grade 30 proof coil is weakest grade you can buy and id compare that to about a grade 2 bolt to give you an idea if my hunch is right. This is the cheapest but weakest and will wear more, stretch easier and damage easier. This is usually silver in color.
The grade 43 High test is about 50% stronger and referred as logging chain sometimes or binder chain. This tends to come black in color 3900 lbs. for 5/16 and 5400lbs. for 3/8.
I hear you ARROW, I found a 1/4" 20 foot chain when I moved in here and decided to give it a try. I pulled a couple good sized logs with it. I doubled it up and hooked it to a 20" diameter Hickory tree that had fallen could hardly move it but the chain held up, and that was with the 6500lb Excavator, I suspecting that little chains probably grade 70 or even 80 to hold up like that!
Then there is transport grade 70 which is 20% stronger and most expensive. This is more of an alloy chain and ratings are 4700 lbs. for 5/16 and 6600lbs. for 3/8. So the choice is yours.
There are higher grade chains but you don't normally see them available in stores as the other grades are more common.
I have 3/8 grade 43 and 5/16 grade 70 for trailer and to use for other things like towing logs out, I tend to use 3/8 for this as it has more wear surface on the links and I believe its a little cheaper to replace too.
If you don't mind a bulky chain go with the 3/8 G43, but if you want something easier to handle and get under a log go 5/16 G70.
Like CAL G said you probably wont be able to break it if your running a 30-40 horse or smaller, unless your running over a sharp edge and damage the links.
The grade 43 High test is about 50% stronger and referred as logging chain sometimes or binder chain. This tends to come black in color 3900 lbs. for 5/16 and 5400lbs. for 3/8.
I hear you ARROW, I found a 1/4" 20 foot chain when I moved in here and decided to give it a try. I pulled a couple good sized logs with it. I doubled it up and hooked it to a 20" diameter Hickory tree that had fallen could hardly move it but the chain held up, and that was with the 6500lb Excavator, I suspecting that little chains probably grade 70 or even 80 to hold up like that!
Then there is transport grade 70 which is 20% stronger and most expensive. This is more of an alloy chain and ratings are 4700 lbs. for 5/16 and 6600lbs. for 3/8. So the choice is yours.
There are higher grade chains but you don't normally see them available in stores as the other grades are more common.
I have 3/8 grade 43 and 5/16 grade 70 for trailer and to use for other things like towing logs out, I tend to use 3/8 for this as it has more wear surface on the links and I believe its a little cheaper to replace too.
If you don't mind a bulky chain go with the 3/8 G43, but if you want something easier to handle and get under a log go 5/16 G70.
Like CAL G said you probably wont be able to break it if your running a 30-40 horse or smaller, unless your running over a sharp edge and damage the links.
newbury
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Depends on the size of your wallet and the number of chains you need and when you need them.
Patrickdozer provided a good summary. I've probably about 15 or 20 chains 5/16"x20' long grade 70 (bought from Harbor Freight and Home Depot on substantial discount) and a one or two 20' 3/8 x about 15' grade 70's.
IF I had money to throw around I'd have more 3/8" and a couple of grade 100's.]
FTG-05
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Grade 70 all the way unless you're doing overhead lifting, then I'd use Grade 80 or 100.
For typical tractor work, logging uses and tie downs for trailering vehicles etc., G70 is fine.
For typical tractor work, logging uses and tie downs for trailering vehicles etc., G70 is fine.
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Super Member
If you get "chain hooks" or clevis grab hooks, I recommend you get 3/8" inch ones. What is nice about these is that they will take a 3/8" chain as well as a couple of loops of 1/4". For the logs you mention, you can use 1/4" all day long if you use a gradual pull method rather than "jerking" with the chain. Chain size more depends on the size of your machine. A larger one able to carry more weight would probably necessitate a thicker chain. I wouldn't want to be pulling 4 stems out attached to 1/4" chain if I have a 7000-9000 Lb tractor. My 4000 lb tractor is lucky if it generates a 3000 lb pull. Well within the 1/4" chain break limits of good chain.
