Does anybody have any experience with the grade 43 3/8" x 14' log chain from Harbor Freight for $29.99? Looks similar to the same thing at Tractor Supply for $55 or $60. Or do I need to shop elsewhere and spend more money? Needing a chain to lift some attachments and pull out some stumps with the FEL and just wondered if the HF chain would do me right or anybody had anything bad to say about it. Thanks.
Log chain - HF vs. TSC
- Thread starter b737drvr
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Foodplot
Silver Member
I've been through about 20 of them. My students lose chains routinely, so it's never paid for us to buy high quality. For general use, they're OK. Note that these chains are definitely NOT safety-approved for overhead lifting--you have to move up to a grade not available at places like HF or TSC.
bigtiller
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I have a 14 foot long chain, two 20 footers and a 30 foot nylon tow strap. I can't remember the last time I used the 14 footer. With the 20's there is a little "breathing room" or what some may call "oops room" between the tractor and the load.
SandburRanch
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Quarter inch short link grade 70 is all I'll use. A 75 horse 4x4 new holland can't break it pulling walnut stumps and at days end your body will appreciate it. A chain is one item that will last a lifetime if taken care of so I say it is worth every penny for the best they make.
LD1
Epic Contributor
No way would I even consider trusting 1/4" chain behind a tractor that sized.
I wouldnt even consider it behind my MUCH smaller tractor.
I have broken TOO many 5/16 chains to count. Both Gr43 AND 70. And even break the ocassional 3/8" chain. But that is rare.
SandburRanch
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I'd be changing vendors from one that claims to have grade xxx short link to one that actually has it.
beenthere
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No point in having a hissing contest here. Tell us what you use and drop the "looking down the nose" at what someone else wants to do. IMO. 
As to the OP, if he wants to gamble on the cheaper chain, fine with me. Because he asked, I suspect he doesn't want to gamble that the chinese may be the reason it is cheap. :confused3:
As to the OP, if he wants to gamble on the cheaper chain, fine with me. Because he asked, I suspect he doesn't want to gamble that the chinese may be the reason it is cheap. :confused3:
gwdixon
Elite Member
I get all of my chain from Truck-N-Tow. There have been too many cheap chains whose links get stretched out and no longer bend. That does not even count the broken ones. Guess I'm a slow learner. Now it is 3/8", grade 70, for everything. No problems now.
Oh, be sure to wait for a "free shipping" offer before you stock up if you choose Truck-N-Tow.
https://www.truckntow.com/c-146938-.aspx
Agree with the 20' length being the most useful. Once you get it looped around something, a tree trunk or stump, you are out of chain with anything less.
Oh, be sure to wait for a "free shipping" offer before you stock up if you choose Truck-N-Tow.
https://www.truckntow.com/c-146938-.aspx
Agree with the 20' length being the most useful. Once you get it looped around something, a tree trunk or stump, you are out of chain with anything less.
LD1
Epic Contributor
No point in having a hissing contest here. Tell us what you use and drop the "looking down the nose" at what someone else wants to do. IMO.
As to the OP, if he wants to gamble on the cheaper chain, fine with me. Because he asked, I suspect he doesn't want to gamble that the chinese may be the reason it is cheap. :confused3:
Not meaning to start a "hissing" contest. And everyone is entitled to their opinion and can use whatever they want. BUT IMO ONLY, I think it is not a good Idea to use a 1/4" chain behind a 75HP 4x4. I realize he was not actually giving advise, just stating what he uses. And thats fine. All I am doing is stating MY OPINION that I would NOT do that. And I am NOT "looking down the nose" at ANYONE. Again, just stating MY opinion. :thumbsup:
This is what I use. 3/8" gr70:thumbsup:
Rarely I use the 5/16" chain.
I know these chains have a breaking strength about 3x's or 4x's the WLL, but I guess it is all in what your intentions are with the chain. Jerking puts EXTREME shock loads on the chain. And chains dont stretch and arent forgiving like cables and straps.
The times that I have broken chains were all mostly when skidding logs. When you got a good size log moving and it catches and immovable obcect (like a hidden stump, rock, etc) it is just like jerking on the chain.
trook
Gold Member
I use either 5/16 or 3/8 g70 chain. So far, no breaks....
LD1
Epic Contributor
What sized equipment?????
LittleBlueTractor
Gold Member
I've got 3 or 4 of them. Used 2 of them (one to a Jeep and the other to a tractor) to skid a 40" container (weighing 4 tons empty) about 50 feet. Had about 10 ea. 5-6" diameter wooden fence posts under it. Neither chain broke, but as has already been said, they are clearly marked "not certified for overhead lifting." Pretty inexpensive with a 20% off coupon, and even cheaper when on sale for $19. sometimes.
crazyal
Super Member
I use 5/16" gr70 chain. 3/*" is too heavy to be lugging around and the benefits of 3/8" gr43 over 5/16" gr70 just don't seam to be enough for the extra effort. If skidding logs I just go slow, the chain may be the weak link while skidding but if you are snapping them it's still sending a shock to your tractor. Maybe you should think about getting a logging arch. Besides you can usually buy a 20' 5/16" chain for not more than a 14' 3/8".
trook
Gold Member
I use 5/16 g70 for chaining my JD4320 (48hp) to the trailer and general work with the 4320 that requires a chain.
I used a 3/8 G70 the other day to pull a 150hp 4wd tractor out of the mud with a 120hp 4wd tractor. It took several atttempts, but the chain held.
I used a 3/8 G70 the other day to pull a 150hp 4wd tractor out of the mud with a 120hp 4wd tractor. It took several atttempts, but the chain held.
Wow, what a bunch of replies to what I thought was a simple question...now I am all cornfused :confused2: between grade 43 and grade 70...does it matter? Which is better/stronger? If the chain is not certified for overhead lifting, does that mean I can't lift a mower or blade attachment and set it on a trailer? Sounds like the consensus is that the HF chains are good...but just like anything, go slow, take it easy, and use some common sense, and they will do just fine. "One of the questions was what sized equip?" Not sure if that was directed at me or somebody else, but I will be using the FEL on Kioti DK40 - lifting 1000# attachments and occasionally pulling out a small stump. Thanks for all the replies!
beenthere
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Heard about a HF chain recently where the hook failed while lifting a piece of machinery. No one was under it, but the damage was extensive non-the-less. So it is a risk at whateveryou are doing, that may or may not have wishes connected that the better chain was indeed "better".
SPYDERLK
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Im with you on the short link chain. The little extra weight is more than made up for by suppleness and far greater resistance to hook damage. I bought 2 very nice 5/16 Gr70 from HF back in the 80s and they have never shown ant sign of strain even with the Mahindra set up at 11000# on AGs. I would, however, worry about a 1/4" Gr70chain in that application. They have a min breaking strength of 12K# and I found years ago, using a pull gauge, that a tractor will pull very near its weight [+/-] with AGs on good ground. That could take the 1/4 chain past its elastic stretch point at full traction even in a gentle pull. With jerks the chain would definitely be subject to damage. Probably your NH is a little lighter, but still a real threat to the health of 1/4 chain in a full traction pull. I recently saw some of the 1/4 short link at TSC an bought them out. I really like it ... but it stays on the smaller tractors.
larry
NativeSon
Veteran Member
It was worth the money to me to get a 3/8 70gr 20' chain. I feel much more comfortable with it in almost any situation. Only complaint is it's a handfull to haul out from the garage to the tractor, but in this case "over-kill" is good....pun intended.
Charlie
Charlie
LD1
Epic Contributor
Grade 70 is stronger than grade 43.
For example, here are the WLL (working load limits)
.......................1/4....................5/16...................3/8
Gr 43.............2600....................3900................5400
Gr70...............3150...................4700................6600
And the grade 80 and higher are the only ones certified for overhead lifting.
But that certainly doesnt meant you cant lift 1000lb implements onto a trailer with ANY of the above mentioned chains:thumbsup:
Just dont stand under them:laughing:
crash325
Elite Member
At last the mans question got a real answer. Good Going.:thumbsup::thumbsup:
I carry a 1/4x20' on the tractor at all times. Good for most of the little jobs that crop up during the day. Nice & light.
For "Real" work its the 3/8" that is used. Just too heavy to use all the time.
Everyone working a tractor should have an assortment of chains, size & length.
