Steel Chain size and length

[bcp]

I've been finding 1/4 Gr70 chain at Walmart in 12ft lengths, in about 5 inch square plastic "bucket" in the tiedown section. Nowhere else around here has it except at far higher price.

Bruce

 

[Underdog57]

Harbor Freight has grade 70 chain.

 

[jtyphoid]

RE: Tractor Chain

You need GRADE 70, 5/16" 'transport' chain in order to be safe.

Good sources are Lowe's and Home Depot, both of which sell 5/16" GRADE 70 chain in 20' lengths, in a plastic bag, in the TOWING SECTION of Hardware.

GRADE 70 chain is tough. Have the store cut it into one 8' length and one 12' length. You cannot cut GRADE 70 chain at home.

Chain comes with one GRADE 70 grab hook on each end. Add one GRADE 70 slip hook on the other two ends.

Ready to work ~~~~~~~

MORE: Google

Good advice except that you can cut it at home fairly easily with a cutoff wheel in an angle grinder.

I bought several 20 footers plus extra hooks then cut the 20s into 2 or 3 pieces for tractor and implement tie downs, etc.

 

[Michael Aos]

The grade 70 5/16 20' from Home Depot seems to be the best bang for the buck.

 

[k0ua]

I use 5/16 grade 70 chains. I have 4 that are 20 foot long and an 8 footer two. You never have too many chains. But start with one or two and see how your uses are. I have never seen the need for anything larger than 5/16 for our size of tractors. As said, chains cut easy with an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel.. Like butter.. No lock, no chain no pin is safe from an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel.

 

[Michael Aos]

2x 20' for ~$62.

 

[California]

No lock, no chain no pin is safe from an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel.

Funny story: My daughter lost the key and asked me to cut the U-lock off her bicycle. No problem, I got out the angle grinder. What I didn't consider was the Levi's I'm always wearing in the shop aren't harmed noticeably by sparks. But the nylon (?) slacks I was wearing this time were destroyed, charred spots and holes. Don't Do This. She was greatly amused.

 

[oosik]

I was most fortunate. A friend GAVE me four 20' 3/8 grade 80 chains. He used them for tie-down when hauling heavy equipment on his semi trailer. He had just purchased new chains and knew I would like his old rusty ones. Three hours or so in my electric cement mixer with a couple buckets of coarse sand and they were as good as new. The only down side - they ARE heavy and can be a PITA to lug around. But, hey, free is free.

And CA - had similar experience only it was one of my better pair of reading glasses and my angle grinder. And it all took less than 30 seconds. As I told the wife - well, at least, I was wearing glasses. She wasn't all that impressed.

 

[k0ua]

Funny story: My daughter lost the key and asked me to cut the U-lock off her bicycle. No problem, I got out the angle grinder. What I didn't consider was the Levi's I'm always wearing in the shop aren't harmed noticeably by sparks. But the nylon (?) slacks I was wearing this time were destroyed, charred spots and holes. Don't Do This. She was greatly amused.

Yes, anything nylon/polyester is a big no no around any kind of heat. I was wearing some nylon socks once while soldering something and a large glob of solder fell down my shoe. Wow, talk about hurt and the burn that just keeps on burning. Solder dropped on your skin can burn a little, but not the long lasting burn of nylon melted into your skin.

Moral of story, never wear any synthetic fabric when soldering, welding or cutting. Cotton is your friend.

 

[MH8675309]

I have a 5/16 chain but there are links that are stretched. I now use a 3/8 chain about 16 foot long with the snatch on one end and a grab on the other end (regardless what size you use get the 2 different hooks). I also have a 6 foot section of the same and it comes in handy more than youd think it would.