Cable or Chain??

Kevin37 · May 5, 2004

While shopping at the local hardware store, I was pricing some chain to use dragging fallen trees around on my property. Right next to it was much less expensive 1/4 inch galvanized cable. So inquiring minds and all...

Could this cable be used instead?
Does 1/4 inch cable have the tension strength of chain?
If not, what would be the minimum diameter chain to use?

I can't get the vision of a snapped cable flying through the air severing heads, limbs and anything it touches /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Input greatly appreciated

Kevin

Laminarman · May 5, 2004

I would not use cable. Chain is so handy, plus it will likely outlast the cable. What are you going to do, tie the cable or use a link? I got two chains at Lowes, each in a bucket with clevis hooks. They were $30 each, and I'll likely have them as long as my tractor. A good investment. They're also easy to carry.

They are rated at 3900 pounds strength. Was the cable rated?

Bird · May 5, 2004

Kevin, my brother and I both used cables a lot. We rigged them up with a loop on one end and a slip hook on the other to make "chokers" with them; much easier than using chains to get a good grip on piles of brush, or several small trees at a time, and easier to unhook also. I guess it depends on the strength of the cable. I suspect we were using a little stronger cable than the one you were looking at.

Kevin37 · May 5, 2004

If I went with the cable, I would put on the bolt-on loops and hooks. I didn't see a rating, but I've cranked a boat onto a trailer that had to weigh 4000 pounds. Is this apples and oranges?

What diameter and length was the chain you got at Lowes?
I'm heading there tomorrow.

Kevin

Kevin37 · May 5, 2004

Bird
Now that's something that I can see repeating. At least for the piles and stacks of small to medium brush it would seem much easier to wrap a few coils of cable to drag them where you want.
I would definately look for bigger then 1/4 inch, though.

Kevin

JerryG · May 5, 2004

Cable is dangerous. I worked with a man that was almost killed, when a cable broke and hit him in the head. Another problem with cable is that when it frays, it is really nasty on your hands. Besides, rolling it up is a pain. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Laminarman · May 5, 2004

Kevin, I agree with Jerry. I've torn the crap out of my hand with a frayed cable. Working with it is unGodly hard for me, but as others have said a choker set up will be handy.

I got the 5/16" and it's twelve feet long. I have welded bucket hooks and they just slide right in there. I like the narrow clevis hooks on both ends rather than the grab hooks. You can add other hooks as needed with the cotter pins. That section of Lowes is one of my favorites. They're great and probably one of the best things I bought. I just lifted a 900 pound disc harrow off a trailer for a friend with them. I was feeling pretty cocky.

GerardC · May 5, 2004

I once worked at a factory that lifted 80 TON machines (presses) that we built. What was used to lift them??? CABLES!!! Any port unloading a boat uses what,.... CABLES. It all boils down to personal preference. I'll be using both. G

Nasty135 · May 6, 2004

Kevin37, I don't think I would ever use cable ,I stores too much energy in case of a snap where as a chain will just go limp...I just use a chain with a ring on one end big enough to slide the hook end thru and that will choke the victim quite well if thats not good enough one wrap around whatever your pulling with the ringed end before sliding the hook thru will take care of any slippage... Works for me /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

mahlers · May 6, 2004

I may be totally stupid or something, but I've been using 20,000 lb vehicle recovery straps and tow-straps forever, and they work great. They're lightweight, don't get rusty, don't tear up your hands, and they won't take your head off if they break. Of course you've got to be smart with how you attach to things - no metal hooks on the load side if there's a chance it'll come loose. Most of the good ones have a reinforced loop-end that allows you to cinch down on the load and not worry about projectile-breakage problems.

As long as you're reasonably careful about not dragging the strap under the load, they last forever.