Chain

[John_Mc]

Rating wise you shouldn’t be able to break 1/4” chain with your tractor but you can. I have broken grade 70 1/4 chain. I think it is so small that it can easily be damaged which weakens it. 5/16” is a much better choice in my opinion. It is still plenty light to handle.

When you are dragging a log and it suddenly hangs up on a stump or other immovable object, it's not hard to brake a 1/4" chain. When you have a few thousand pounds of tractor moving along, it isn't going to stop on a dime just because that 1/4" chain tells it to.

 

[newbury]

Well I was hoping to see a bunch of posters chime in with lower prices

I'm pleased with the HF 5/16" x 20 FT. GRADE 70 TRUCKER'S CHAIN for GP use.
I think about 10 years ago I was getting it for $20 on sale w/coupon, now it's usually $30 w/ coupon.

If you want special ends (choker, hooks with latches, self latching, slip etc.) you probably want to go elsewhere.

than HF's 20 foot for $30 with hooks coupon price

But

5/16" X Grade 70 chain is amply strong for any operational use with a 45-horsepower tractor.

$3.99 per foot at Tractor Supply Company last week. <snip>
)

$4/foot without hooks is a lot more expensive.

I bought these and have been happy. Haven't needed anything more yet.

Amazon.com: 2 pack 5/16" x 2' G7 Tow Chain Binder Tie Down Flatbed Truck Trailer Chain: Automotive

That's only 10% more than HF's coupon price.

I have a couple 5/16 and 3/8 that are grade 70 and a couple of the HF 3/8 x14
I find different sizes and lengths handy for lifting and dragging and pulling.

I've cut a bunch of HF chain up for shorter pieces and bought different hooks and shackles for various combinations needed. Just be sure to use stuff all rated the same or know where your weak link is. I wouldn't trust a quick link rated at 2,000 lb WLL with chain rated at 4,000 WLL.

 

[Zebrafive]

I also got the HF 5/16" x 20' G70 chain for $20. When I pull with the tractor, I have a pin on clevis hook for the drawbar. I noticed that after a lot of hard pulls the chain link that I use in the hook get distorted. I always use the second link from the hook. When this happens I remove the hook and cut off two links and reattach the hook.


I like the 5/16" G70 chain better than the 3/8" G43 chain because it's lighter and just as strong

 

[WranglerX]

Just be sure to use stuff all rated the same or know where your weak link is. I wouldn't trust a quick link rated at 2,000 lb WLL with chain rated at 4,000 WLL.

I would rather have a lower rated quick link fail than have a chain that won't break when towed load hangs up and rips apart part of tractor and cause a lot more expensive/complex repair.... A weak link can be desirable, If you understand use and application...

There is more to work load (loading) limitations than just getting "mocho proof chain" and screwing everything up when it does not fail when it should...

Dale

 

[ruffdog]

I have some cheap chain, small chain, bigger chain, and hoist chain. If I am just pulling small stuff, I use the easy to use chain. If I need strength, I use the hoist chain.

 

[majorwager]

As noted, HF chain prices are reasonable, these low prices assist the unemployed U.S. Worker who still can NOT afford the purchase.

 

[ruffdog]

I would rather have a lower rated quick link fail than have a chain that won't break when towed load hangs up and rips apart part of tractor and cause a lot more expensive/complex repair.... A weak link can be desirable, If you understand use and application...

There is more to work load (loading) limitations than just getting "mocho proof chain" and screwing everything up when it does not fail when it should...

Dale

I agree^^^ If you have that "weak link", you know to focus your attention on that point. I also have chains that have no "weak link" and you have to respect the strength of it just like you respect the weak link.

 

[TractorNH]

I like the 5/16 grade 70 chain as well. Not as heavy to deal with as 3/8 and easy to handle. Lowes and Home Depot both sell it as well for about $35 for a 20 footer. I bought a 20 foot' and two extra slip hooks. I cut the chain so I have a 12' and an 8' with a grab hook and a slip hook on each end. Works well for me 99% of the time.

 

[ruffdog]

A higher grade chain will have a higher WLL so you may be able to down size to a smaller chain. A G120 chain is 50% stronger than a G80 chain.

 

[CMV]

Also a fan of the HF grade 70 5/16". As a few others have said, I too cut them down and make 2 chains out of 1. Have to go elsewhere for the extra ends since my HF doesn't have 5/16" grab hooks or clevises.... But keep a couple @ 20' length and then some shorter ones which are easier to work with at times.

Weld on a couple 5/16" grab hooks at the edges of your bucket and you will use the chains very often. Something as simple as moving implements around to mow where they sit and then move them back.....just slinging them from the bucket with chain(s) is much faster than hooking each one up and moving that way. Getting stuff on/off a trailer with side rails, moving odd shaped stuff like a generator that doesn't fit in the bucket well, things like that I use the weld-on hooks and HF chains frequently. Drag plenty of fallen trees as well, but lots of other uses besides that.