Can I use this log clevis on a chain for equipment tie down?

[crazyal]

Looking at the weights I would say that it will be pulling close to straight on. I use 7/8" shackles on my full sized backhoe since there's some thick steel with a 7/8" hole on the front welded to the frame. But they have a WLL of 13k each (higher than the 1/2" grade 70 chain). I like using a shackle in a hole vs wrapping a chain around something. Using a chain as a choker could mean damage to stuff (for example a tie rod). Also if the chain slides on what it's wrapped around it could loosen up. I do have o-rings on my shackle bolts so they can't easily loosen up. I would use ones that are WLL rated for at least the same weight as your tractor in the front (since you'll have two) and in the rear that exceed the rating of your chains. After all you'll never have a panic start so the rear is much more important IMO.

 

[sixdogs]

Good thinking. Thanks everyone.

 

[rockingclawhammer]

I often haul a 4,500 or 5,000 lb tractor on an 18' equipment trailer and have used one strap at each corner for tie down. It works great and nothing ever moves. I have tow hooks I installed on the front of the tractors and using straps with hooks makes hookup quick and easy.

Now I am switching to chains and have just been looping the chain around the front weight bracket. That is, until today when I discovered some log chain hooks I have and learned they slip onto my front hooks I installed for the traps. I could easily put those hooks on my 5/16" grade 70 chain and could hook up real easy.

Two questions come to mind. One, is this a good idea? Second, how can I find the weight rating on these hooks? I believe they are grade 70 but can't find anything on the net. Any advice appreciated.


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What size chain does that hook fit? I can tell you that the hook is designed for over head lifting by the design of the load pin. It uses a roll pin to lock the load pin in place once it is connected to the chain. Your typical Grade 70, 43, 30 chain use a load pin that is secure by a cotter pin. It does appear to be a logging style hook that is used with a coupler to "choke" hitch a log for skidding/lifting. I am going to venture a guess at minimum this is a grade 8 hook but like you I have found very little info on the web. It appears to be popular in Europe. I could send pics to PEWAG for clarification next week. You do have a high quality hook, far superior to the 1/2" clevis slip hook that was posted. PEWAG makes excellent products, right up there if not superior to Crosby/Gunnebo Johnson when it comes to chain products. Does the hook have WLL: or SWL: stamped on the hook? If so take that rating and multiply by 4, that yields the breaking strength. All of your grade 70,43,30 cahin products are rating in breaking strength. Your over head lifting chain and fittings are rated by design factor and the industry standard is 4:1 ratio.I would use that hook for cargo securement as described and not look back. I have worked in the wire rope/chain/nylon sling fabrication industry for just over 20 years for reference. Not that it means much but I have seen a few things related to chain.

 

[sixdogs]

What size chain does that hook fit? I can tell you that the hook is designed for over head lifting by the design of the load pin. It uses a roll pin to lock the load pin in place once it is connected to the chain. Your typical Grade 70, 43, 30 chain use a load pin that is secure by a cotter pin. It does appear to be a logging style hook that is used with a coupler to "choke" hitch a log for skidding/lifting. I am going to venture a guess at minimum this is a grade 8 hook but like you I have found very little info on the web. It appears to be popular in Europe. I could send pics to PEWAG for clarification next week. You do have a high quality hook, far superior to the 1/2" clevis slip hook that was posted. PEWAG makes excellent products, right up there if not superior to Crosby/Gunnebo Johnson when it comes to chain products. Does the hook have WLL: or SWL: stamped on the hook? If so take that rating and multiply by 4, that yields the breaking strength. All of your grade 70,43,30 cahin products are rating in breaking strength. Your over head lifting chain and fittings are rated by design factor and the industry standard is 4:1 ratio.I would use that hook for cargo securement as described and not look back. I have worked in the wire rope/chain/nylon sling fabrication industry for just over 20 years for reference. Not that it means much but I have seen a few things related to chain.

I confirmed my Pewag log choker hook is a grade 8 and more than rated to hold down a 5,000 to 7,500 lb tractor when hooked to a 5/16", grade 70 chain. I also have Crosby 5/16" slip clevis hooks I could use as well. It's just I have no use for the Pewag hooks and the tractor chain would work.

 

[kantuckid]

As I only have two chain tighteners, can I use an open style clevis fixed to the end of the tractors center drawbar? The chain could then slide through the clevis as it's tightened on one leg of the pull. I see know other area on the tractors rear which allows the chain to slide as it's cinched up.
Up front I can wrap the 4wd/front axle casting with one chain and use one tightener.