Replacement sway chains

   / Replacement sway chains #1  

California

Super Star Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2004
Messages
14,932
Location
An hour north of San Francisco
Tractor
Yanmar YM240 Yanmar YM186D
My YM187D came with some new parts that the previous owner replaced.

The new sway chains must have been for a smaller tractor. After a few days of mowing, the shackles - both sides - started to stretch (first picture). On close examination I found small cracks starting at the most forward ends of the eyes.

I replaced the wimpy shackles with double-end 3/8" shackles. (second picture). No more problems.

View attachment 187209 P1600792rNewShackle.jpg
 
   / Replacement sway chains
  • Thread Starter
#3  
The double shackles came from the local old-time hardware store. I think their stuff comes from Ace Hardware.
 
   / Replacement sway chains #4  
Dang Cal..!!! Talking about cheap. Your Mower Done THAT!!!!! Just how low was it.....:laughing:
 
   / Replacement sway chains
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Me?
Cheap??? :p

Here's a thread where I posted photos of that mowing. Yes with the ground so uneven I did dig in a corner of the mower from time to time. But I don't recall hitting any trees with the mower!

I had the sway chains adjusted to put the mower way off center to the right, maybe 6" over, to get it nearer the tree trunks without running my head into the limbs. That uneven stress probably contributed to stretching the shackle. Regardless, I doubt an OEM shackle would have been damaged using it that way.
 
   / Replacement sway chains #6  
That first photo was kind of comical.
Who designs these things? Was failure (and another purchase) the design intent?

The cross-sectional area (even before stretching) of the pin-surround doesn't seem like even 1/4 that of the rest of the links.
 
   / Replacement sway chains #7  
I've been told that galvanized chain & other hardware is not as strong.
 
   / Replacement sway chains
  • Thread Starter
#8  
Last edited:

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