1/4" chain isn't strong enough

[bullsram]

I've got and use 1/4 in chain once and awhile for light stuff. I've also got a 5/16 that I keep in my dodge truck. For the most part I use 3/8 chain . I have grade 70 3/8 transport chain that I only use to boom the tractors down with if I need to haul them some where. I have some other grade 70 3/8in that I use for pulling and such. I have broken a couple of my chains from jerkin to hard on mostly logs when cutting wood.

 

[DarkBlack]

5/16 grade 70 chains from HD. Shame on me if I break one with my 40HP

 

[EddieWalker]

Everbilt 5/16 in. x 20 ft. Grade 70 Tow Chain with Grab Hooks-803082 - The Home Depot

I have a few of these and feel they are good chain for a fair price. I use them to pull my tractor out of the mud all the time, or to drag logs too heavy to pick up with my grapple.

Eddie

 

[bcp]

One advantage of a little tractor is using light, easy to handle chain.



Sometimes it has a string attached but I cut it off. Who ever heard of a tow string?



Bruce

 

[crazyal]

I had a 1/4" chain and one day I noticed that all the links were stretching out. You don't notice it at first because it happens slowly over time. But one day I tried putting a hook from the end in the middle and the pin wouldn't fit through the link. Now I use 5/16" for most everything and 3/8" for transportation. All are 20' except for one I cut to 8' and 12'. I find that the 8' and 12' chains are light enough and long enough for most of the things I do.

 

[LD1]

I had a 1/4" chain and one day I noticed that all the links were stretching out. You don't notice it at first because it happens slowly over time. But one day I tried putting a hook from the end in the middle and the pin wouldn't fit through the link. Now I use 5/16" for most everything and 3/8" for transportation. All are 20' except for one I cut to 8' and 12'. I find that the 8' and 12' chains are light enough and long enough for most of the things I do.

I have a 5/16 chain that has stretched out links. When you stretch them enough, but not to the breaking point, the chain becomes rigid.

 

[LD1]

I had a 1/4" chain and one day I noticed that all the links were stretching out. You don't notice it at first because it happens slowly over time. But one day I tried putting a hook from the end in the middle and the pin wouldn't fit through the link. Now I use 5/16" for most everything and 3/8" for transportation. All are 20' except for one I cut to 8' and 12'. I find that the 8' and 12' chains are light enough and long enough for most of the things I do.

I have a 5/16 chain that has stretched out links. When you stretch them enough, but not to the breaking point, the chain becomes rigid.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I think 1/4 inch chains should be left on kid's swings.

 

[ovrszd]

I have a 5/16 chain that has stretched out links. When you stretch them enough, but not to the breaking point, the chain becomes rigid.

Yeah, you know your chain has been over worked when you can no longer stuff it in the chainbox.

 

[k0ua]

I thought about getting a 1/4 inch chain for pulling up brush. My 5/16 chain is a too big for some of these things.

 

[newbury]

<snip> All are 20' except for one I cut to 8' and 12'. I find that the 8' and 12' chains are light enough and long enough for most of the things I do.

I use mostly 5/16 x 20' but have several reconfigured like al did. I'm trying to keep a set for fastening the tractors to the trailer and find 20' WAY to long when following the rule of a separate chain for each corner. With 20' pieces I end up with a lot to wrap.

 

[aczlan]

I use mostly 5/16 x 20' but have several reconfigured like al did. I'm trying to keep a set for fastening the tractors to the trailer and find 20' WAY to long when following the rule of a separate chain for each corner. With 20' pieces I end up with a lot to wrap.

You can hook the chain to each side of the trailer and then hook your binders directly to the tractor (so you have a loop of unused chain in the middle).

Aaron Z

 

[pat32rf]

When I have a load that I can't move with a straight pull (NO jerk) I bring out the nylon.....My main tow rope is 1" marine nylon, one 50' length, loops on each end. Also have 50' of 5/8 for lighter jobs.
Most of my pulling of logs, heavy objects, etc is done with various lengths of 5/16 load chain that ride the tractor with me.

 

[Shadow99688]

handy item is 2" heavy strap with 3' to 4' 5/16 chain with hooks on each end.

 

[ovrszd]

handy item is 2" heavy strap with 3' to 4' 5/16 chain with hooks on each end.

I use straps a lot. Always a bit concerned when I mix chains with them. Tell me how you do that? Always interested in learning something new.

 

[Shadow99688]

I use straps a lot. Always a bit concerned when I mix chains with them. Tell me how you do that? Always interested in learning something new.

I use a D shackle I can undo them remove strap and link chains directly together if I need to. I use 20k lbs or heavier straps
to attach chain to D shackle either weld chain on or 2 steel straps and 2 bolts, welding can be iffy have had some D shackles that just couldn't take the heat and pulled apart around weld at the first real load.

 

[aczlan]

I use straps a lot. Always a bit concerned when I mix chains with them. Tell me how you do that? Always interested in learning something new.

I would use a strap that already has a chain on it (such as: 2" X 27' Wide Handle Ratchet Strap with Chain Extensions & Clevis Grab Hooks - Ratchet Tie Downs - Amazon.com) or one that has D rings built into the ends (such as: 4" x 27' Yellow Ratchet Strap w/ D Rings - - Amazon.com)

Aaron Z

 

[Shadow99688]

I would use a strap that already has a chain on it (such as: 2" X 27' Wide Handle Ratchet Strap with Chain Extensions & Clevis Grab Hooks - Ratchet Tie Downs - Amazon.com) or one that has D rings built into the ends (such as: 4" x 27' Yellow Ratchet Strap w/ D Rings - - Amazon.com)

Aaron Z

the ratchet is a weak point have seen them ripped apart by people trying to use one as a tow/jerk strap to get someone out of the ditch/snow
Amazon.com: 3", 30' Tow strap, Recovery Strap 30,000 LB capacity: Home Improvement
then use D Shackle to attach chain on each end or 2 steel plates with 2 bolts, the D shackles are easier to take apart when you need to.

 

[Jim Timber]

I thought about getting a 1/4 inch chain for pulling up brush. My 5/16 chain is a too big for some of these things.

Use the right tool for the job...

You can make these by tying a knot in 1" webbing or you can buy them cheaply at REI.

Black Diamond 10mm Dynex Runner - REI.com

Wrap the loop around the base of the shrub and pull the end through - then hook onto that loop and pull. The loop cinches down and the root ball gets yanked out. Sometimes the bark will pull off, and if that becomes a problem, you can reposition the loop and pull again.

I find this is far easier than wrapping chain on small stuff, but even 5/16" chain isn't that difficult to get to cinch if you know how to wrap it. I pull t-posts with chain and have for years. The trick is to get it to bind instead of slide, and that's in how you wrap it.

 

[Coyote machine]

I would use a strap that already has a chain on it (such as: 2" X 27' Wide Handle Ratchet Strap with Chain Extensions & Clevis Grab Hooks - Ratchet Tie Downs - Amazon.com) or one that has D rings built into the ends (such as: 4" x 27' Yellow Ratchet Strap w/ D Rings - - Amazon.com)

Aaron Z

Agree with this approach. Here's a link to rigging type dos/dont's For reference. Look at the near bottom of the page, it shows which angles to pull from and how not to use certain angles too. This applies to many types of loads and directional pulls, etc.
Products

Also Toolwell.com has many many types of lift, pull, and other items. I just bought two of their dollies to drop my backhoe onto for storage in my barn workshop.

And welding onto D shackles or using a plate and nuts/bolts is not the way to pull or jerk any load. Welds will fail, bolts will break, and when done incorrectly will just become the weakest link.

Nylon straps are extremely strong; again if used properly. The same principles apply as shown in the above link regarding use between two points, and how to reduce the stresses via proper rigging methods.

Hope this helps.