Cable or Chain??

Kevin37 · May 6, 2004

Okay.........

I went to Lowes this morning...Besides a tractor dealership, is there any better place then a hardware store to spend a morning killing time /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif...?Here is what I found:

The 1/4 inch cable has a "Working Load Limit" of 1400 #'s (No length specified)

The 5/16 inch "Tow/Binder" chain which is "Transport Grade 70" has a Working Load Limit of 4700 #'s (20 foot length)

The 3/8 inch "Tow/Log" Chain, which specifically mentions dragging logs and stumps, has a Working Load Limit of 2650 #'s (14 foot length)

So the questions are:

What is a "Working Load Limit"? Is it as simple as pound of force exerted in tension?
(The fractions don't make sense. 5/16 "= 4700 pounds while 6/16 "= 2650 pounds)

What is "Transport Grade 70"?

Fire away.......

Kevin

Wannafish · May 6, 2004

Nasty,

You have been lucky if you have not had an incidence where a chain snaps back if it breaks or it's attachment point comes loose. DO NOT count on it to "just go limp" everytime.

I have a pickup that has 'chain dents' from one end to the other that was a result of my wife trying to help out a stranded stranger while I was away. I guess she had watched me do enough times she thought she had it figured out. She yanked - evidently quite hard /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif - on the stuck vehicle. The chain (3\8" proof test) was connected to the spring shackle on the front of my truck and broke at the link connected to the hook on the other end of the chain.

She is very lucky to be alive. The chain came over the hood and down the side of the truck - just missing the windshield - leaving dents the entire way to the tail lights.

I would like to hope we all know that chain is not designed to be "yanked" on, but as my story above shows, not everyone is aware of it. Besides, if it doesn't come with a gentle tug - Hit it a little harder! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

zuiko · May 6, 2004

The chains I use (logging chains) are rated for 4600lbs. I would want something at least that beefy if I were to buy cable. I don't care much for cable for a lot of reasons, one of which being it kinks pretty easily. Then who knows how much the capacity has been diminished by the kink.

Laminarman · May 6, 2004

Differing strengths have to do with the metal makeup I believe. Go with chains, pull something. It's fun.

KubotaSteve · May 6, 2004

I've used both cables and chain. The main thing is not to jerk with them. I've had both of them break and the chain is the one that hurt the most hitting the back of my heel. If I am by myself I prefer the chain as it is easier to throw back on the tractor. I like the cable because it is lighter. If I had to pick one, I would go with chain.
Good luck

Nasty135 · May 6, 2004

Wannafish, I think your right about the fact that a chain can be jerked and come after you ,But I am talking about dead pulls not snatch jerks ,I don't think I would try to snatch jerk anything as I am the one paying for the equipment and if I break it I have to fix it. I should have clarified for someone who may not have as much experience doing such things,(but a little common sense can be a life saver eh?) A cable can come after you on a dead pull if it lets go /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I'm not an expert but do have $.02 worth of experience to offer

For pulling people out of a ditch with my truck ,I use a 2000lb. tie down strap,longer and lighter than chain plus it stores nicely /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Typhoon · May 6, 2004

Chains without a doubt. No question about it. I had a friend that was killed from a cable breaking loose and coming through his back truck window and hitting him in the head while pulling another guy out of a ditch. I have another friend who was in my unit in the National Guard and he has migraines to this day because of a military injury he got from a cable snapping from a tow rig and hitting him in the back of the head. Im not saying cables arent strong. In alot of cases, they are stronger than chain. But in the event of a failure, they are very dangerous compared to chain. Thats my opinion. I have a galvanized logging chain for my tractor and it works great! And easy to handle.
-Brad

mahlers · May 6, 2004

Why don't more people use the nylon (or whatever cloth-like material it's made of) tow ropes and recovery straps like these?:

Recovery Strap

I'm just curious because I got 'hooked' on them for 4-wheeling a long time ago and also now use them to drag things around with the tractor. I've broken plenty of chains, and I've yet to break my 20,000 pound nylon recovery strap. They're just so easy to work with, and so forgiving, that I'm surprised more CUT owners don't use them for day-to-day hauling and dragging.

zuiko · May 6, 2004

I don't use them because they are not all that wear resistant. If you rub them on the ground or anything else over and over again they wear out. I do use them for tie downs but I'm planning on supplimenting with chains for the big heavy stuff.

mahlers · May 6, 2004

That's true - there's definitely some level of care that goes into using nylon rope. Whenever I drag something around, I tend to elevate the area that I've roped around so that nothing rubs on the ground, but I can definitely see some applications where that wouldn't be practical.