What size chain should I use to pull large trees

[stevenf]

I'm planning on hooking up a chain to my drawbar and pulling large trees with my 90hp M9000. What size chain are ya'll using I sure don't want the chain to break and go zinging past my head very often. I asked the dealer and he said get something I can handle easy but 3/8" doesn't seem very stout on the end of several thousand lbs of tree hooked to the back of the tractor with a chain and dragging it for several hundred yards or more. I've heard that when chain breaks it usually just drops as there is no elasticity to it but when it hits me upside the head I don't think it'll matter what I've heard or not so I figured I'd ask the pros.
Steve

 

[KubotaSteve]

I'm not sure what size chain you would need but I think I would go with at least 1/2" of a quality chain. I've had chains break on me before. The first one was a smaller chain pulling something and it snapped and fell to the ground. On the second one I was using a Massery Ferguson 135 and was popping the clutch trying to jerk a loose stump out and the chain snapped (5/16") and came flying up under the tractor and barely caught my heel, not quite sure how but it did. Have you thought about using a strap or checking out the chokers on Baileys website?

 

[_RaT_]

If you jerk on a 3/8" chain with your tractor your far more likely to break it then simply pulling on it. A 3/8" chain is quite stout and even a M9000 will have trouble breaking it. I prefer 3/8" because it is far easier to carry then the next size up. Get a high grade 3/8" chain. Chains do tend to fall to the ground rather then fly through the air like nylon or even steel cable can when they break.

 

[eee]

I have actually stretched chains before...

 

[Nasty135]

stevenf, disclaimer I AM NOT A PRO!
When I pull a tree or some other heavy object that is already on the ground,I usually use my boom pole with 5/16" chain ,the boom pole is just to barely lift that end off the ground so it doesn't drag or hit something causing more stress on the chain than is already there...But obviously I'm on a much smaller scale than you are so 3/8" chain would probably be good,any more than 20' of 3/8" would be quite heavy to handle /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif...Also on mine one end has a hook and the other end has a ring so that when you run the hook through the ring it cinches down tight and won't slide off. I have other chains up to 3/8" with hooks on both ends and they are much more difficult to use because you have to wrap the chain around the object at least twice and then pray the hook won't come loose during your pull. Of course always keeping the front wheels on the ground /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Most of my pulling I don't want to tear up the yard if I can help it,That may not be a concern for you? Thats part of the reason for the boom pole, the other is manuverability you can back-up and set it pretty close to where you want it.
TOO Much excess verbage?? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[SkyPup]

High grade 3/8" maxes about 5,500 to maybe 7,000 at most and low grade 3/8' is about 1/2 that or maybe 2,500. That is too small for your log towing.

High grade 1/2" is about 12,000 working limit and 5/8" is about 18,000.

I would take the total weight of your loaded M9000 and double that as to what size chain you need because you will be limited to the amount of force you can produce on the chain by your traction. If your tractor weighs 6,000 lbs you'll need a 1/2 inch chain, if it weighs 9,000 lbs you'll need the 5/8".

I kind of think that a <6,000 lb 3/8" high grade chain is too little for your purposes..... think about it this way -> if you used this chain to hoist up a large tree trunk into the air, would you stand under it without worry? If not, get a bigger chain, at least 1/2" or 5/8"

 

[Henro]

StevenF,

I know you asked about chains, but have you viewed the recent thread in this forum about skidding logs?

Looks like a pair of logging tongs might be safer and better for the purpose.

I have no experience with skidding logs so take this as a suggestion from left field somewhere... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Richard]

I'm sure if you do a search on chain, you'll find enough to keep you busy for a couple cups of tea.

That said, Here is what I got. I got the 3/8, grade 100 square link. It's the third one down.

I have had pulled entire trees around, rootball and all /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif It has so far, been more than up to any task I've put to it, including what I've inferred you to be planning.

If you go this route, the square link puts a real BITE on the tree and won't slip. I might also suggest you look into their choker end on one side. Once I get the choker end around a tree and tighten it up, I can usually pull as hard as I want/need to and rest comfortable that the tree will usually snap in two, before the chain slips off. I use to use a rounded chain with a slip hook and must admit more than once, got up/down to RECHAIN the darned tree/stump/other.

Bite is nice /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Just as an aside, my understanding is Pewag has a new 120 grade out.

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[btolle]

</font><font color="blueclass=small">( I sure don't want the chain to break and go zinging past my head very often.)</font>

If you are concerned about breaking a chain or cable drape an old blanket over it. The blanket will absorb the force.

I use 5/16 grade 70 chain (rated working load 4,700#) but I only have 21HP.

BTW, Harbor Freight sells a 20' grade 70 chain for $33.95 but TSC sells it for $26.99.

Edited to remove information about tow straps, they are dangerous, see my post below.

Bill Tolle

 

[rdln]

I was driving to work tuesday morning and got stuck waiting for a train. While sitting behind a ford pick-up my headlights shined on his tailgate and noticed a strange pattern of small dents, they formed a c-shape. It looked like the work of a autistic vandal using a ballpeen hammer, I took two sips of coffee and then it dawned on me that it was caused by a chain flying into the tailgate. A foot higher and the driver would have had a new necklace.

A dangerous combination is a tug-em strap and chain.