What size are these hooks?

[Dougryan]

I recently bought a tractor that has hooks welded to the bucket. No marks on the hooks telling me what size they are.
I believe they are 1/2". Is that correct? Planning to buy a chain and want to get the right size.

Thanks.

 

[Roadworthy]

Those do appear to be half inch hooks. You could use half inch chain but if you go down one size they'd probably be easier to work with.

 

[chim]

Can you read whatever is cast into the hook? May help. I'm guessing they'd work better with 3/8".

 

[WinterDeere]

Standard hook opening measurements are as follows:

Chain Size	Hook opening
5/16	3/8
3/8	7/16 to 1/2
1/2	5/8 to 11/16

This can be verified by checking hook drawings and dimensions in the McMaster-Carr catalog, which is from where I lifted this information.

 

[WranglerX]

I read ruler as 1/2 inch... Would not go any bigger than 3/8 chain....

 

[kennyd]

That is a 3/8" grab hook, you can safely use 5/16" or 3/8" chain, G70 recomended:

 

[Tinhack]

Depends on what you're doing with the chain, but I wouldn't want to be working with more than 5/16 chain on a regular basis around the farm. I go 3/8 on occasion but with 1/2 chain I'd need some help moving that around. And don't bother with the cheap chain. I wouldn't use anything less than a Grade 70 chain in any of the sizes. Or Grade 80 if you're doing any overhead lifting. Cheap chain can kill you if it breaks, even if you're 20' away.

 

[MH8675309]

3/8 is a good all around size. I've had 5/16ths and it doesn't take much to stretch it. The 3/8 is a bit clumsier but is almost always up to the job

 

[WinterDeere]

Depends on the tractor. I have a dozen 5/16” chains, and really like that size, as it’s so much lighter than 3/8”. I don’t often get into lifting or dragging items, where 5/16” is not sufficient.

When it comes to strapping down loads, I have a box full of 2” ratchet straps of various grades. I’m not hauling coil steel on semi trucks, size your chain and straps accordingly.

 

[kennyd]

Regarding the weight of different size chains, I put this together a few years ago and have other info on our FAQ page.

 

[ning]

Chain gets heavy fast; 3/8" will do most jobs.

I have a 92' 5/16" chain that I pull big blackberry brambles with, but that's not a high-tension thing to do.

 

[WinterDeere]

Regarding the weight of different size chains, I put this together a few years ago and have other info on our FAQ page.

View attachment 880397

Not surprisingly, they all hold around .005 lb/in2 link cross section, which means they should also all have similar breaking strength to weight ratio. Not a surprise, assuming the weld is stronger than the bulk, it just comes down to the ultimate tensile strength of the material from which they're made.

Reinforcing my prior point, 3/8" is 45% heavier than 5/16". If you don't need that extra strength, then it's unnecessary carried weight.