What to do with a broken chain

[CurlyDave]

One of the things I forgot to mention about the tractor rollover incident from a couple of days ago is that I managed to break a HF, grade 43, 3/8" chain in the process of righting the Ford 4000,

Essentially the Ford FEL bucket had jammed itself about 6" into the ground in the initial turnover and we wrapped the chain around the "lower" FEL arm near the bucket and then onto the grab hook on my bucket.

As I lifted and pulled the FEL of the Ford, the chain broke. The section in use was only about 4' long, and things "jumped" quite a bit when it broke, but there was no damage other than the chain breaking. I suppose keeping the length of chain under tension short is a good way to limit stored elastic energy.

Anyway, should I discard the remainder of the chain? Or, is it still good?

My cheapskate heart wants to say it is fine, just pull the pin from the grab hook on the chain, and put it on the longer unbroken length (about 13') and learn to make do with a slightly shorter chain. But part of me says it only cost $20 and it isn't worth rising my life over.

 

[Skyco]

I'd keep it and try to always remember it is for light duty non critical stuff in the future...maybe paint so it sticks in your mind.

 

[RedDirt]

I'd keep it too and use it for non critical pulling stuff like tree roots, not overhead lifting.

BTW Dave, We use to have 40 acres in Tiller, not too far from you. Lovely area.

 

[Mike058]

The breaking strength of new chain that size is over 16000 pounds. It didn't sound like you were lifting that much. Probably that link that broke got damaged somewhere along the line. I'd inspect the rest of the chain for old damage. If it were me, I'd keep it for lifting logs with the FEL, in situations where, if it broke, the sudden loss of weight wouldn't put me a "delicate situation". I think that's the biggest worry. I'd never use it to hold something up over someone(even new chain), but that sudden loss of weight and balance could be a problem.

 

[3RRL]

I'm with the other guys in keeping it, but inspect it for other bad links which might have gotten ground down over use or pinched, etc. I used and old chain to turn into a chain guard for my brush hog mower. Chains are just to handy to discard if you look them over carefully. I've made really short lengths into lift straps using grab or slip hooks too.

 

[LoneCowboy]

Bet that 16000lb rated chain that broke while lifting less than 2000lbs was made in china.

 

[J_J]

There is a label on lifting chain. I believe it has to do with the safety factor. Ordinary chain is not supposed to be used for lifting, but many people do it. Some or most of the chain will say somewhere [ NOT FOR LIFTING ]. If you acquire a used chain, you will not know the purpose of the chain. Of course keep the chain for other use. A chain used for the wrong purpose could be life threatening. That's my story, and I am sticking to it.

Found this.


Lifting chain is designed for use with hoists, cranes, winches, and other material handling equipment. It is also used in rigging slings and for lashing. There are two standard grades for lifting chain: grade 80 lifting chain and grade 100 lifting chain. Other grades of lifting chain may also be available from some suppliers.

Grade 80 lifting chain is made from alloyed steel and is specifically designed for overhead lifting applications. This grade of lifting chain has a good strength-to-weight ratio and excellent durability. Grade 100 lifting chain is also made of alloyed steel, but is hardened and tempered for superior durability and fatigue resistance. Most Grade 100 lifting chain is made of Herc-Alloy 800, a heat-treated alloy with very high strength. Although many types of chain fittings are available, Grade 80 fittings should not be used with Grade 100 chain

 

[Egon]

Ain't no way to inspect a chain for over stressed damaged!!

Me, I'd use it for mundane things!

 

[CurlyDave]

I think I just answered my own question. But first,

LoneCowboy: Of course it was made in China -- I got it at Harbor Freight. I suspect I put a lot more load on it than 2000 lbs. My loader can lift 2000 lbs or so, but I was also dragging with the chain, so the combined force could easily have approached 6000 lb.

J_J and others: To me, at least, there are three kinds of lifting.

One kind is where someone is actually under or even near the lifted object. This calls for the special lifting chain, and I never do this kind of a lift. Lifting with an FEL, not only could a chain fail, but a hydraulic failure could produce injury or death. If someone is standing next to something I am about to lift, I shut down the engine and tell them I will not lift it until they move away. A lot of guys think I am a weenie for doing this, but I haven't killed any of them yet.

A second kind is where a chain failure could cause my tractor to upset. I try hard not to do this kind of lift. I don't think I have ever done this type of lift.

The third kind is a lift where a failure could cause the object being lifted to drop, with little chance for injury or tractor upset. This is the only kind of lift I am willing to do. And, I always do it with the shortest possible chain length.

As for that piece of chain, it is going to be retired. I don't quite know how yet (I don't want to just throw it in a recycle bin, someone is liable to pull it out and use it.), but the thing I keep thinking of is that another one costs ~$20 at HF.

It is just not worth taking a chance over $20.

 

[DMW]

Once a chain breaks, it seems like it breaks again every time you use it. A few years ago I scrapped about 200' of various chain sizes. None of it was over 10 feet long without a replacement link. Send it to a scrap yard, or years from now you'll wonder why its been sitting there unused, taking up room for so long. It might be a good time to switch to 5/16 gr70. Lower WLL, but the breaking strength is higher than 3/8 Gr43. The coating makes it rust resistant and easier to inspect for wear, and it looks good The lower weight also makes it a lot nicer to use.

Dennis