a chain attached to both tractors snapped...

tmc2318 · May 11, 2009

REGINA -- A 68-year-old McLean-area man was killed in an early morning farm accident on Friday.

According to RCMP, the man and another local farmer were working on the man's farm. A tractor was stuck in a slough and the two were trying to tow it with another tractor. In the process, a chain attached to both tractors snapped and struck the man in the head.

Indian Head RCMP, EMS from Indian Head and Regina and McLean First Responders were called to the scene at 8 a.m., but were unable to revive the man who was pronounced dead at the scene.

ToolcatWonka5610 · May 11, 2009

tmc2318 said:
REGINA -- A 68-year-old McLean-area man was killed in an early morning farm accident on Friday.

According to RCMP, the man and another local farmer were working on the man's farm. A tractor was stuck in a slough and the two were trying to tow it with another tractor. In the process, a chain attached to both tractors snapped and struck the man in the head.

Indian Head RCMP, EMS from Indian Head and Regina and McLean First Responders were called to the scene at 8 a.m., but were unable to revive the man who was pronounced dead at the scene.

All I have to say is, Ouch. Terrible

tallyho8 · May 11, 2009

This is the same accident posted in another thread "Stuff Happens".

Soundguy · May 12, 2009

That's why a section of fire hose or piece of old carpet laid over chains in tension is a good thing..

soundguy

Renze · May 14, 2009

I have once been very lucky, when a chain snapped, slung the front windshield out of the cab and was just too short !! to slam over my fingers on the steering wheel.

The road i live on used to be a dirt road 30 years ago, then they stabilised it with calcium and loam. 18 years ago they paved it. One of the semis hauling concrete pavers to the site, got stuck and they hooked on another 3 axle truck to pull it loose. The trucks didnt get traction in the loose sand bed, so they yanked it. The steel cable snapped, and smashed a crack in the windshield of the truck. Later on, neighbours united with 3 tractors to free the semi.

Sergei · May 15, 2009

I've never had or seen a chain do anything but drop to the ground when broken under load so I think a chain was not being used in the accident but more likely a steel cable or some type of tow ropes/strap. They will come back on you unless you have a trap or blanket over the line. I always use a tarp laid over the line when winching in case of a break.

Shmudda · May 15, 2009

Sergei.......

I will differ with you on this as I have seen chains, cables, and slings break while under tension.

The chain links will fly like shrapnel, the cables or wire rope as its called will just unravel and pull apart and the straps will most likely tear. Chains by design just fail without ANY warning, while the others will let you know they have had enough and fail slowly. The practice of throwing a heavy blanket or something of the like is the best thing to do when pulling on something like that.

I have seen 3/4" chains fail, and it's very impressive and dangerous!

Craig

carpenter383 · May 15, 2009

Just think of chain links as springs, they have some flex under a load. when the weak link fails the failing ends are under spring tension and will fly backwards. There was a guy in my neck of the woods who died while trying to pull out a stuck pickup with a chain. The chain broke and went through his back glass and hit him in the head. Killed the poor guy

Soundguy · May 16, 2009

Sergei said:
I've never had or seen a chain do anything but drop to the ground when broken under load so I think a chain was not being used in the accident but more likely a steel cable or some type of tow ropes/strap. They will come back on you unless you have a trap or blanket over the line. I always use a tarp laid over the line when winching in case of a break.

I've seen plenty of examples of chains breaking. I work for a gc and when dumptrucks get stuck.. heavy equipment pulls them out.. nothing like seeing a logging chain break and snap back and blow out a windshield.. or leave a dent in plate steel..

soundguy

Sergei · May 16, 2009

Each story has so many variables, it is impossible to accurately compare actual data to what happen. The big thing you aren't supposed to jerk on a chain anyway and you need the right size chain. That maybe a reason why some of these these chains in the stories are breaking. So far I've never seen one fail in the manner that everyone is posting, either good chains or just doing it the right way.
I did find this article which covers good safety tips on using tow ropes, cables and chains that might be of interest to some.

http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d000901-d001000/d000945/d000945.pdf