logging/towing chain grade

[greif]

What grade of chain is best for logging/towing/pulling etc?
Thanks

 

[CalG]

logging? 3/8ths high strength can lift most any log and tip over any tractor

towing/pulling? something bigger to take abuse

I've got some good sized links that are all pulled long and skinny from working on roots stuck in the ground.

 

[arrow]

What grade of chain is best for logging/towing/pulling etc?
Thanks

I've logged professionally and as a home owner. As a professional, I almost never saw chains. Mostly wire cable chokers and such. As a homeowner, I've used 1/4" chain pulling almost 2000Lb logs for the last 30 years or so. Admittedly a bit light. Should probably move up to 5/16's. This was a "standard" grade chain btw.

 

[Rayster]

Good recovery straps with looped ends and clevis rings are easier for me to deal with. Also easier to see if out in the woods or the mud.

 

[vtsnowedin]

It is nice to have a couple of different length and size chains so you can choose what is handiest for the job. MY 10 foot grade 70 1/4 inch chain gets a lot of use as it's easy to use and carry around. Then there is a 20 foot 3/8 grade 60 for when a longer reach and heavy pull is needed. And another 3/8 chain about 15 ft. long to get just that much further out. I keep looking at yard sales for used quarry chains that have been taken out of service. They are often grade 100 and pretty much unbreakable in tractor use. The ideal find would be 20 feet of 1/4" grade 100 chain.

 

[Patrickdozer]

Id probably say grade 43 High test. Grade 30 proof coil is weakest grade you can buy and id compare that to about a grade 2 bolt to give you an idea if my hunch is right. This is the cheapest but weakest and will wear more, stretch easier and damage easier. This is usually silver in color.

The grade 43 High test is about 50% stronger and referred as logging chain sometimes or binder chain. This tends to come black in color 3900 lbs. for 5/16 and 5400lbs. for 3/8.

I hear you ARROW, I found a 1/4" 20 foot chain when I moved in here and decided to give it a try. I pulled a couple good sized logs with it. I doubled it up and hooked it to a 20" diameter Hickory tree that had fallen could hardly move it but the chain held up, and that was with the 6500lb Excavator, I suspecting that little chains probably grade 70 or even 80 to hold up like that!


Then there is transport grade 70 which is 20% stronger and most expensive. This is more of an alloy chain and ratings are 4700 lbs. for 5/16 and 6600lbs. for 3/8. So the choice is yours.

There are higher grade chains but you don't normally see them available in stores as the other grades are more common.

I have 3/8 grade 43 and 5/16 grade 70 for trailer and to use for other things like towing logs out, I tend to use 3/8 for this as it has more wear surface on the links and I believe its a little cheaper to replace too.

If you don't mind a bulky chain go with the 3/8 G43, but if you want something easier to handle and get under a log go 5/16 G70.

Like CAL G said you probably wont be able to break it if your running a 30-40 horse or smaller, unless your running over a sharp edge and damage the links.

 

[newbury]

What grade of chain is best for logging/towing/pulling etc?
Thanks

Depends on the size of your wallet and the number of chains you need and when you need them.

Patrickdozer provided a good summary. I've probably about 15 or 20 chains 5/16"x20' long grade 70 (bought from Harbor Freight and Home Depot on substantial discount) and a one or two 20' 3/8 x about 15' grade 70's.

IF I had money to throw around I'd have more 3/8" and a couple of grade 100's.]

 

[FTG-05]

Grade 70 all the way unless you're doing overhead lifting, then I'd use Grade 80 or 100.

For typical tractor work, logging uses and tie downs for trailering vehicles etc., G70 is fine.

 

[greif]

Thanks
More lighter pulling smaller logs, less then 18" dia... pulling out smaller shrubs etc.

I think I will get some 3/8 and 1/4 in grade 70's.... not too bad of prices

 

[arrow]

Thanks
More lighter pulling smaller logs, less then 18" dia... pulling out smaller shrubs etc.

I think I will get some 3/8 and 1/4 in grade 70's.... not too bad of prices

If you get "chain hooks" or clevis grab hooks, I recommend you get 3/8" inch ones. What is nice about these is that they will take a 3/8" chain as well as a couple of loops of 1/4". For the logs you mention, you can use 1/4" all day long if you use a gradual pull method rather than "jerking" with the chain. Chain size more depends on the size of your machine. A larger one able to carry more weight would probably necessitate a thicker chain. I wouldn't want to be pulling 4 stems out attached to 1/4" chain if I have a 7000-9000 Lb tractor. My 4000 lb tractor is lucky if it generates a 3000 lb pull. Well within the 1/4" chain break limits of good chain.

 

[kennyd]

Check some of the "Twist Lock" hooks we are selling now, guaranteed not to fall off of the chain as soon as you get back on the tractor :laughing:



I agree with most the 5/16" G70 chain is perfect for this type of use.

Ken's Bolt on Grab Hooks <<Accessories>>

 

[crazyal]

3/8" chain is heavy. If your tractor has the HP and weight then that's what I would go with. I have both 3/8 and 5/16 grade 70 chains and rarely do the 3/8" chains leave the garage. They are almost exclusively used when I trailer my 580k. For 5/16" Lowes sells a 5/16" grade 70 chain made by Campbell for a good price. Last time I looked it was even US made.

 

[woodchipper]

I use mainly 1/4'', Grade 70 (wich is called Transport chain) chain for just about any light pulling. They are awsome for logging, as they are light and offer much flexibility. Quick and easy to take off its tractor mounted box. 30 feet of it is easy to manipulate, and to hook around trees or whatever. For severe duty, I have a good length of 1/2'', and it rarely sees action. It is heavy and takes a lot of storage space. You will find out that you need different lengths handy, as well as different sizes. You will also need a good asortment of hooks, as well as clevises. They are all mendatory. A chocker chain is also a must for logging.:thumbsup:

 

[Mace Canute]

I was at a garage sale last fall and picked up a chain for all of $15. Not bad for over 40 feet of 1/2 inch chain, eh? It's too long and heavy to be handy but I couldn't pass it up for that price and I know someday it will be just the thing for a job at hand.

 

[plumbstraight]

Personally I believe in winches for pulling. Hydraulic is my favorite as they will stall before breaking you tow chains or cable. The biggest problem with chains and cable is the pull that is just hung up that little bit you think you can make a pull with a bit of slack and use the momentum of your pulling unit to break it free. If you don't pull the draw bar off your tractor or break you chain or cable and having it put you in the hospital will be a miracle. Being a logger for many years I have seen just about everything a person can do, skidders upside down, over a hill going end over end, tractors up over backwards, you name it. Be as short as you can when pulling. Having a long leash gives your load the ability to go where it wants like behind a stump or tree when you are going along nicely and all of a sudden have a hangup. Be careful folks.

 

[TomSeller]

Check some of the "Twist Lock" hooks we are selling now, guaranteed not to fall off of the chain as soon as you get back on the tractor :laughing:

I agree with most the 5/16" G70 chain is perfect for this type of use.

Ken's Bolt on Grab Hooks <<Accessories>>

I have the twist lock grab hooks and would not be without them when lifting critical loads. I need to get some of the slip hooks too.

 

[newbury]

<snip> You will find out that you need different lengths handy, as well as different sizes. You will also need a good asortment of hooks, as well as clevises. They are all mendatory. A chocker chain is also a must for logging.:thumbsup:

Keep a cutter handy (I use a 4 1/2" angle grinder) and a bunch of spare hooks and clevises and shorten chains when you need them. I quickly got tired of fastening my tractor to the trailer with 4 of my 20'chains, only using about 10' on each corner. So I made two of them into four 10' chains

 

[Garandman]

For 5/16" Lowes sells a 5/16" grade 70 chain made by Campbell for a good price. Last time I looked it was even US made.

Just bought that chain. $36.98. HF is $39.95.

 

[k0ua]

I have been using grade 70 5/16 chain with grab hooks on each end for several years.. I do have one older grade 43 5/16 also. 5/16 is far bigger than my tractor can break.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I have numerous chains, some long, some short, in several different grades.... But, when it comes to skidding logs, I have and use several of these,

And when hooked to this,

I've found nothing that works better for me...

These dedicated skidding choker chains work fantastic, easy to set and I've never had one come unhooked, even on long 150 plus foot skids while winching logs out of the woods...

SR