Chain Grade

[4570Man]

A 5/16” grade 70 chain can be bought for less than $40. How much cheaper can a lesser grade be bought for?

5/16” grade 30 has a WLL of 1,900 lb
5/16” grade 43 has a WLL of 3,900 lb
5/16” grade 70 has a WLL of 4,700 lb

All would be adequate for that light of a tractor but the corrosion resistance of the grade 70 and just the added piece of mind are likely worth it. One chain cut into four (or three) pieces will likely be long enough to do what you want. Even if the lesser grades are half the cost which I doubt they are is it worth saving $20? Securement devices are one area where I think overkill is a good thing.

You can buy a 5/16 20’ grade 70 for $28. Even a 1/4 grade 70 would be plenty strong enough at 3100 WILL but I don’t know where to get it for cheaper than $28

 

[zmad5306]

Thanks for the lead, that's the best price I have seen on 5/16 G70.

 

[two_bit_score]

I'm not organized enough to only use a chain for one thing. So I always buy 70.

Same here. I'm all for keeping life simple.

 

[mini14]

I use 3/8 grade 70 and ratchet binders, u use the grade 40 junk to rip stumps out

 

[medic0648]

If done properly you can use 2 chains and 2 binders to get 4 attachment points if done properly. The loader should be tied down to the trailer as well as any attachments on the 3pt have to be tied down. Over a certain weight, the loader/boom has to be tied down. This is more a precaution to prevent the loader from lifting while traveling or in case of an accident.

 

[4570Man]

If done properly you can use 2 chains and 2 binders to get 4 attachment points if done properly. The loader should be tied down to the trailer as well as any attachments on the 3pt have to be tied down. Over a certain weight, the loader/boom has to be tied down. This is more a precaution to prevent the loader from lifting while traveling or in case of an accident.

There’s nothing wrong with using 2 chains if it’s under 10,000 pounds. I think it’s easier to use 4 chains anyway since you can hook them all from the ground.

 

[dfkrug]

A 5/16” grade 70 chain can be bought for less than $40. How much cheaper can a lesser grade be bought for?

5/16” grade 30 has a WLL of 1,900 lb
5/16” grade 43 has a WLL of 3,900 lb
5/16” grade 70 has a WLL of 4,700 lb

If you go to flea markets, you can often find used 5/16" or 3/8" G70 chain in 14' lengths for $20. $40 new at HF, with coupon.

I lost count of how many times that I have broken cheapo G30 and G43 chains pulling logs. When they break, the piece(s) shoot like bullets. On the G30 chains, it is the weld that fails, after the link bends where the grab hook attaches. And my tractor is not very big.

I replace all my grab hook cotter pins with a small weld, since I have lost several hooks in the forest.

I will never buy anything less than G70 chain again, tho cheaper chain may be adequate for load binding. The tiny price diff is just not worth it.

 

[FTG-05]

If done properly you can use 2 chains and 2 binders to get 4 attachment points if done properly. The loader should be tied down to the trailer as well as any attachments on the 3pt have to be tied down. Over a certain weight, the loader/boom has to be tied down. This is more a precaution to prevent the loader from lifting while traveling or in case of an accident.

Are sure that's correct? Even if it is, I still tie down all attachments, FEL or 3ph.

 

[shovelmike]

The cost of the machine versus the cost of chains to hold it on a trailer...? I'd buy Grade 70 chains. Then when my tractor is stuck and I need to have my neighbor pull it out with his 100HP tractor he doesn't walk thru my chains like a knife thru butter.

For towing and retrieval from mud holes and snow banks I quit using chains, there have been several farmers here killed when they break.
I have a nylon retrieval strap that is much safer, designed to allow you to start with slack, get rolling and when the slack is taken up it stretches a bit and tugs them out of the mess.
Kind of off topic (sorry) but it might save a life.

 

[4570Man]

For towing and retrieval from mud holes and snow banks I quit using chains, there have been several farmers here killed when they break.
I have a nylon retrieval strap that is much safer, designed to allow you to start with slack, get rolling and when the slack is taken up it stretches a bit and tugs them out of the mess.
Kind of off topic (sorry) but it might save a life.

That goes back to the trash grade 40 chain. Using pickups and small tractors there’s pretty much zero chance of breaking a 3/8 grade 70 chain.